Split-Up

The most anticipated move of Banjo-Tooie, Splitting Up can be learned in the game's third world, Witchyworld, just behind the Big Top Tent. When you find a pair of Split-up Pads, have Banjo step on the Banjo pad and press, and Kazooie will leap out of his backpack onto the Kazooie pad, putting the player in control of the bear. In order to switch to Kazooie, stand on the Banjo pad again press, and do the same with Kazooie to switch back. Certain spots will also have colorful sparkles, called Split-up Clouds, which will allow the player to switch between characters by pressing while standing in them. To rejoin the pair at any time, simply have one run into the other.

An obvious advantage of splitting up is that both characters can now learn their own set of moves to fit a greater variety of situations. Each also has their own strengths and weaknesses: Kazooie is fast and light, but cannot climb ladders or grab ledges, whereas Banjo is slow and grounded for the most part, but has high vitality and is more versatile.

Certain switches encountered in later worlds can only be activated when a certain character stands on them. Such switches often come in pairs which must be activated simultaneously, and are accompanied by the colorful sparkles which allow the player to switch between characters.