A playable build of Rare’s canceled SNES fantasy RPG, Project Dream, has recently surfaced online, sparking excitement among fans who have long awaited details of the game that later inspired the N64 classic Banjo‑Kazooie. The leaker, frustrated with the industry and Microsoft’s handling of Rare — and its alleged support of literal genocide in Gaza — shared the build.
On September 9, an Internet Archive user with the username “FVCKAsha&Phil” (a reference to Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and former boss Phil Spencer) uploaded what they claim is a “SNES proof‑of‑concept alpha” of Rare’s canceled RPG Dream: Land of Giants.
The leaker says they will not disclose how they obtained the build to avoid trouble, but claims it came “from someone who got it from someone, who got it from somewhere.” They say they are fed up with Xbox and the broader state of gaming.
“With the industry in its current state and Microsoft’s heavy‑handed management of Rare and its sister studios, and given the years that have passed, I believe it’s crucial to preserve this ROM and have it examined by those with deeper expertise,” wrote FVCKPhil&Asha on the Internet Archive page hosting the alleged SNES build of Project Dream.
“I hope this release encourages others to share what they have. I know the Twelve Tales Conker 64 prototype exists somewhere, but this is the only thing I possess. The industry feels increasingly joyless, driven by AI, layoffs, anti‑preservation tactics, and Microsoft’s support of literal genocide in Gaza.”
“Let’s get the last beautiful things hidden on our hard drives out for everyone. That’s all we have left,” they added. “Please delete Microsoft and Sony from your life, install Linux, boycott Switch Game Key Cards, and buy Nintendo Switch 2 titles that include the full game on cartridge. Your dollar is the only thing that matters in our late‑stage capitalist hellscape.”
What is Project Dream?
Rare fans and retro gamers have long been eager for more information on Project Dream, a cancelled SNES RPG that began development around 1995. Official snippets of both the SNES and later N64 versions have been released over the years.
Initially ambitious, the project outgrew the SNES and moved to the N64, where it adopted a pirate theme and swapped its human protagonist for Banjo, a bear later made famous in Banjo‑Kazooie. When Conker’s Bad Fur Day appeared, the team shifted, turning the remainder into a platformer, and Captain Blackeye cameoed in Banjo‑Kazooie, complaining about a bear stealing his spotlight. For many, finding a possible prototype is a rare treasure of retro gaming history.
