Unexpected Discoveries in Classic Code
Blaze Entertainment has announced that its work on the upcoming Evercade Nexus ports of Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie led to the discovery of hidden assets that were previously unknown even to the original developers at Rare.
The company, which specializes in preserving and reviving retro gaming experiences, is set to launch its new handheld console, the Evercade Nexus, on October 30. This device will feature a specialized Double Pack containing both beloved N64 titles, optimized with performance enhancements and graphical upgrades while maintaining the integrity of the original releases.
Rare’s Collaboration and Hidden Treasures
Sean Cleaver, head of communications at Blaze, emphasized the close collaboration between the two companies during the porting process. Rare provided access to the authentic N64 source code, which allowed the team to explore the games' architecture in ways that public decompilation efforts never could.
Regarding the findings, Cleaver remarked:
«Working with Rare has been awesome. They provided the source code. We found a load of stuff that they didn't even know was in the source code, like old unreleased tracks, there's a level editor, and we put it all in. [Plus some] little unlockable bonuses, so it gives something new to people as well.»
Going Beyond Public Knowledge
Cleaver noted that while fans have long analyzed these games through decompilation of retail versions, having the actual source code provided a much deeper look into the developers' past work. By utilizing internal teams and specialized contractors, Blaze was able to sift through the data and extract these "little nuggets" of content that were never accessible to players during the original 1990s and early 2000s runs.
The Evercade Nexus, along with the Banjo-Kazooie Double Pack, is scheduled to hit the market with a retail price of £169.99 / $199.99 / €199.99.