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It would've brought Donkey Kong to Banjo-Tooie's multiplayer mode too
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(Image credit: Rare)
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Banjo-Kazooie director and long-time Rare staffer Gregg Mayles has revealed the original design document for the mythical Stop 'N' Swop system, revealing that Donkey Kong was also involved in the process.
Mayles, who left Rare earlier this year following the cancellation of Everwild (which in itself was a part of Microsoft's sweeping layoffs), posted a document on Twitter (spotted by DK Vine) revealing plans for the "Coldswap" mechanic, which was known as the Stop 'N' Swop in Banjo-Kazooie. Not only did these documents reveal that Donkey Kong 64 was also going to be part of the process but that Donkey Kong would become an unlockable character in Banjo-Tooie's multiplayer mode at the end of it.
Early Christmas present maybe to those that care - it's the 'Coldswap' design (a.k.a. Stop n' Stop) in its full original guise, including the mysterious 'Next N64 Game' pic.twitter.com/kgdwLwvrdJDecember 22, 2025
Stop 'N' Swop – for those unaware – was a proposed feature included in the original Banjo-Kazooie, where players would collect eggs and an Ice Key with the promise of them unlocking something in Banjo-Tooie when it eventually released, which would be done by physically swapping out the cartridges while the N64 is running.
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However, Tooie was released without the feature, turning it into an urban legend for years, until the Xbox 360 ports of the game reintroduced the feature, rewarding players with the likes of Avatar images and content in Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts. The reason this was never implemented was apparently due to an N64 hardware revision where the game was stored in the consoles' RAM for 10 seconds, giving players a while to swap it over, but the new consoles reduced it to one second.
Previously it wasn't known that Donkey Kong 64 would be a piece of the puzzle, but Mayles' documents lay out how players would transfer items from Banjo-Kazooie, through DK64, into Banjo-Tooie and potentially even further through something known as "Next N64 Game" (which Mayles says wasn't about anything in specific). The Stop 'N' Swop was already one of gaming's biggest "what if" moments, so to hear it was potentially far bigger than we ever knew only makes me think more of what could have been.
Before Banjo-Kazooie's mascot was a bear and after he was a human, the N64 icon was actually a rabbit, according to a former Rare developer
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ NewsletterContact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. CATEGORIES Donkey Kong Xbox Retro Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 Platforms Hardware Nintendo
Scott McCraeSocial Links NavigationContributorScott has been freelancing for over three years across a number of different gaming publications, first appearing on GamesRadar+ in 2024. He has also written for the likes of PC Gamer, Eurogamer, VG247, Play, TechRadar, and others. He's typically rambling about Metal Gear Solid, God Hand, or any other PS2-era titles that rarely (if ever) get sequels.
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Before Banjo-Kazooie's mascot was a bear and after he was a human, the N64 icon was actually a rabbit, according to a former Rare developer
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