All you big Banjo-Kazooie fanatics probably don't need another reason to grab the new Rare Super Pocket, but you can add hidden music tracks to your list. That's right, the shiny new budget handheld is hiding over 20 songs that didn't make it to the final cut of the N64 classic or Banjo-Tooie, but you will have to roll credits to hear them on the actual portable.
Haven't completed Banjo-Kazooie on the Super Pocket Rare Edition yet? Fear not, as not only did speedrunner TSR Stormed unearth the hidden jukebox, but they have also uploaded each song to YouTube (cheers, VGC). That will save you from unlocking "one of the Stop n Swop items after beating the game," but it's also an act of public service for those of you who haven't got the retro handheld in your possession.
I don't feel too bad not discovering this first, given that TSR Stormed is a speedrunner. Let's just say I've spent too much time comparing this new Banjo-Kazooie port on the Super Pocket to my actual N64, as it's wild seeing what was once a cutting-edge 3D caper running on a portable you can grab for $70. Yes, it is using a fairly basic 2.8-inch IPS display, but the resulting visuals punch well above their price weight.
The new Evercade version of Banjo-Kazooie has a secret music player when you unlock one of the Stop n Swop items after beating the game. It has a TON of unheard beta tracks and most of them are early level themes for worlds in Banjo-Tooie!Here is "Funfair" for now. pic.twitter.com/HkiYZXz2sgJune 29, 2026
Admittedly, I would rather use the OG N64 gamepad or an alternative retro controller (looking at you, 8Bitdo N64 Bluetooth controller) to finish Banjo-Kazooie for the zillionth time in 28 years. As much as I love every version of the Super Pocket I've tested to date, its GameBoy-inspired controls and compact shoulder buttons are a little cramped. Rare has tailored the handheld version's mapping to make up for the lack of a thumbstick and other differences, though, so everything from sneaking to pulling off jumps in the handheld version still feels natural.
You can rest assured I will be putting my important plans (largely playing old Windows 95 games in Glide mode) on hold this evening to try and finish Banjo on the handheld. Doing so will let me kick back and listen to early versions of the Mumbo Mountain and Treasure Trove Cove theme, as well as tracks like "Funfair" and "Lava World" that were recycled for Banjo-Tooie.
The big golden puzzle piece left unanswered is whether the hidden jukebox will be included in the Evercade Banjo-Kazooie collection when the cart arrives this October, or if we'll end up with other hidden Stop 'N' Swop treats. I'd like to think that anyone who grabs the double-pack, or even the Evercade Nexus bundle for $199.99, will get a little something extra, and I'll certainly be hunting across the Isle o' Hags for secrets.
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