Difference between revisions of "Banjo"

Banjo was originally planned as a supporting character in the cancelled [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] game, ''[[Dream: Land of Giants]]''. Shortly shifting development to the [[Nintendo 64]], the developers felt the main charatcer, [[Edson]], was "losing his edge". One of their considerations for a main character was a rabbit, but they eventually decided on Banjo. Early sketches showed Banjo with a sword and another in a sleeveless shirt.

Banjo's official debut was as one of the playable characters in ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]''. He was among the characters who responded to [[mariowiki:Timber|Timber]]'s call for help in banishing [[mariowiki:Wizpig|Wizpig]] out from [[mariowiki:Timber's Island|Timber's Island]]. Banjo competes in races and world challenges to decide who can ultimately compete against Wizpig. Banjo is in the heavyweight class and has slow acceleration, but compensates it with a high top speed. He also has average handling capabilities. Banjo's top speed without [[Bananas]] is 57mph.

Banjo's theme instrument is the banjo, which is also his theme instrument in his own series. Banjo and [[conkerwiki:Conker the Squirrel|Conker]] did not return in ''[[mariowiki:Diddy Kong Racing DS|Diddy Kong Racing DS]]'' as a result of [[Microsoft]]'s 2002 acquisition of [[Rare]], although the remake's main theme still features his theme instrument, the banjo. Statistically, Banjo was replaced with [[mariowiki:Tiny Kong|Tiny Kong]].