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(overhaul. i've begun to find that too many of the listings on the game page itself tends to be a distraction when reading real-world information, such as game development and so forth)
 
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{{infobox game info
{{italic title}}
|image = BKboxart.jpg
{{Infobox game
|developer = Rareware
|image = Banjo-Kazooie NA box cover.png
|publisher = Nintendo
|developer = [[Rare Ltd.]]
|designer = Gregg Mayles
|publisher = [[Nintendo]]
|platform = [[Nintendo 64]]
|designer = [[Gregg Mayles]]
|release = North America: June 29,1998<br>Europe: July 17, 1998<br>Japan: December 6, 1998
|console = [[Nintendo 64]]
|genre = Platformer, Action/Adventure
|released = <small>{{wp|North America|NA}}:</small> June 29, 1998<br><small>{{wp|Europe|EU}}:</small> July 17, 1998<br><small>{{wp|Japan|JA}}:</small> December 6, 1998  
|mode = Single Player
|genre = Platformer
|mode = Single player
|rating = ESRB: E (Everyone)<br>ELSPA: 3+<br>OFLC: G  
|rating = ESRB: E (Everyone)<br>ELSPA: 3+<br>OFLC: G  
|media = 128 Megabit Cartridge
|media = 128 Megabit Cartridge
|input = Nintendo 64 Controller
|input = [[Nintendo 64]] Controller
|accessories = N/A
}}
}}
'''''Banjo-Kazooie''''' is the first game in the [[Banjo-Kazooie (series)|''Banjo-Kazooie'' series]]. It was developed by [[Rare Ltd.]] and published by [[Nintendo]]. It was released on the [[Nintendo 64]] in North America on June 29th, 1998, Europe on Jully 17, and in  Japan on December 6th. The story involves the two heroes, [[Banjo]] and [[Kazooie]], going on an adventure to rescue [[Tooty]] from [[Gruntilda]], who tries stealing Tooty's beauty. The game received a sequel in 2000, titled ''[[Banjo-Tooie]]''.


'''Banjo-Kazooie''' is the first game in the Banjo-Kazooie series. It was created by Rare Ltd. in 1998. In this game, [[Banjo]] and his friend [[Kazooie]] try to save Banjo's sister, [[Tooty]], from the evil witch, [[Gruntilda]], before she steals Tooty's beauty. The sequel of Banjo-Kazooie is [[Banjo-Tooie]].
In 2008, ''Banjo-Kazooie'' was ported to the [[Banjo-Kazooie (Xbox Live Arcade)|Xbox Live Arcade]], where it received updated textures, the addition of the unused [[Stop 'n' Swop]] feature from the original games code, and other minor changes. In the September 2021 {{wp|Nintendo Direct}}, ''Banjo-Kazooie'' was revealed as one of the games planned for inclusion on the {{wp|List of Nintendo Switch Online games#Nintendo 64|Nintendo Switch Online}} service, and was released on January 20, 2022, marking its first re-release on a Nintendo console.


==Plot==
[[File:Gruntilda and Dingpot BK intro.png|thumb|left|Gruntilda asking Dingpot who is "the nicest looking wench"]]
The evil witch of [[Spiral Mountain]], Gruntilda, is inside her [[Gruntilda's Lair|lair]], asking her cauldron [[Dingpot]] questions about who is the 'nicest and fairest of them all', to which Dingpot reluctantly answers, "Why it's Grunty, any day, she really takes my breath away." She gloats over her "beauty," until Dingpot finally breaks his 'silence' and tells the witch that Tooty, another inhabitant of Spiral Mountain, is actually the prettiest and the fairest of them all. [[Grunty]] reacts angrily and decides to kidnap Tooty in order to steal her beauty. She grabs her broom and sets off immediately.
[[File:Tooty before kidnap BK.png|thumb|Tooty is confronted by Grunty.]]
Meanwhile, Tooty is running around [[Spiral Mountain]], when she is greeted by [[Bottles]] in front of [[Banjo's House]]. She eagerly tells Bottles that she is going on an adventure with her brother, [[Banjo]]. Inside the house, Banjo is sleeping soundly, with his breegull friend, [[Kazooie]], sleeping in his backpack, which is hanging on a nearby coat rack. Tooty and Bottles are still talking, until Bottles spots Grunty in the distance, but confuses her for Banjo (due to his short-sightedness). Grunty immediately goes for Tooty, and a struggle ensues. Kazooie, eager for action and adventure, overhears the clamor outside as well as Bottles' cries for help and tries to wake Banjo up. Banjo and Kazooie leave their house, only to discover that Grunty has gone off and kidnapped Tooty. Bottles tells the bear and bird that they must venture to [[Gruntilda's Lair]] to rescue Tooty. Bottles offers to prepare the duo to fight Gruntilda by teaching them some basic moves and repairing the bridge leading to the lair's entrance. Banjo and Kazooie set off on an adventure into the lair to save Tooty.


== Plot ==
Once inside the lair, Banjo and Kazooie find a [[Jiggy]], which is used to open and unlock levels around the lair by completing Jigsaw Puzzle pictures. They soon find a painting that fits their first Jiggy, opening the first level of the lair, [[Mumbo's Mountain]]. Banjo and Kazooie enter the first level and find that their quest is not as easy as they had anticipated. They discover that they need to rescue [[Jinjo]]s imprisoned by Grunty throughout each of the levels as well as collect [[Musical Note]]s, which are needed to open up [[Note Door]]s, to progress through the deeper areas of Gruntilda's Lair. They also meet [[Mumbo Jumbo]], a skull-faced shaman who offers his services to the bear and bird by transforming the adventurers into different animals with new abilities.
{{spoiler}}
The witch of [[Spiral Mountain]], Gruntilda, is inside her lair, and is asking [[Dingpot]], her cauldron, questions about the 'fairest of them all', to which Dingpot reluctantly answers "You are, mistress". She continues asking, until Dingpot finally breaks his 'silence', and tells the witch that Tooty, another inhabitant of Spiral Mountain, is in fact the fairest of them all. Grunty reacts badly, and then decides to kidnap Tooty, and steal her beauty. She grabs her broom and sets off immediately.


Meanwhile, Tooty is running around Spiral Mountain, when she is greeted by [[Bottles|Bottles the mole]] in front of her house. She eagerly tells him that she's going on an adventure with her brother, Banjo. Inside the house, Banjo is sleeping soundly, with his friend, Kazooie, sleeping in his backpack, hanging on a coat rack. Tooty and Bottles are still talking, when Bottles spots Grunty in the distance, but confuses her for Banjo (due to his short-sightedness). Grunty immediately goes for Tooty, and a struggle ensues. Kazooie is woken up by the clamor, and Bottle's cries for help, and wakes Banjo up. They leave their house, only to discover that Grunty's gone off with Tooty.  Bottles tells the duo that they must go to [[Gruntilda's Lair]] to rescue Tooty, and offers to prepare them to fight Gruntilda, as well as help them into the lair, by fixing the bridge. Banjo and Kazooie set off onto the lair, knowing their goal.
The two continue progressing through the lair, gathering musical notes, Jiggies, and other collectibles along the way, as well as rescuing the Jinjos of each level. They also encounter Mumbo Jumbo and Bottles several times, who continue to help the heroes by transforming them and teaching them new moves, respectively. Banjo and Kazooie also get help from Gruntilda's nicer sister, [[Brentilda]], who gossips interesting facts about her ugly sister.


Once inside the lair, the two find a [[Jiggy]], which tells them that they need to be placed into paintings around the lair to open up levels. They soon find a painting which that Jiggy goes into, which opens the first level, [[Mumbo's Mountain]]. They enter and find that their quest isn't as easy as they anticipated. They find that they need to rescue [[Jinjo|Jinjos]], who will award them with a Jiggy for their efforts, as well as [[Musical Notes]], who are needed to open up [[Note Doors]], which close off necessary areas in the lair. They also meet [[Mumbo Jumbo]], who is a shaman who is enemies with Gruntilda, and offers his services, by transforming the duo into certain animals.  
After successfully surviving through all nine levels in Grunty's Lair, Banjo and Kazooie eventually reach Gruntilda but are forced to participate in her quiz show, [[Grunty's Furnace Fun]]. Thanks to the information provided by Brentilda's gossips, Banjo and Kazooie win Grunty's game and save Tooty. With Tooty rescued, they return home and celebrate with a barbecue. However, Tooty reminds our heroes that Grunty had escaped shortly after the game show and was still at large, plotting her wicked schemes.


{|class="wikitable" style="width:30%; cellspacing=5; cellpadding=2" align="right" border="2"
Banjo and Kazooie make their way back up the lair until they finally reach the roof with a little help from Dingpot. On the roof, Gruntilda challenges them to a more direct confrontation and an epic battle ensues. But, with the help of the Jinjos they rescued in the various levels in Gruntilda's Lair, Banjo and Kazooie defeat Gruntilda and ultimately knock her off her tower. She crashes into the ground, creating a crater of her shape, which is then covered by a large boulder that falls from the tower and traps her beneath it. Banjo and Kazooie finally take a well-deserved break at the beach, where the bear and bird and their friends anticipate a sequel, ''[[Banjo-Tooie]]''. Meanwhile, Gruntilda, whose loyal minion [[Klungo]] is trying to rescue her, swears her revenge.
| style="background:#ffffff;" | <center>'''Banjo-Kazooie Start Theme'''<br><small>When window pops up click open and wait for the music tune to load.</small></center>
<br><imagemap>
Image:Sound play.png|110px|center|Play this tune.
desc none
default [http://images.wikia.com/banjokazooie/images//f/f5/Theme_song.ogg]
</imagemap>
|}


The two continue progressing through the lair, collecting Notes, Jiggies and rescuing Jinjos along the way. They also encounter Mumbo and Bottles several times, who continue to help the two by transforming and teaching them moves (respectively), as well as Gruntilda's sister and exact opposite, [[Brentilda]], who gossips about her ugly sister.  
== Gameplay ==
[[File:Mumbo Mountain BK bridge.png|thumb|200px|Banjo in Mumbo's Mountain, the first world.]]
In ''Banjo-Kazooie'', the player controls Banjo and Kazooie, exploring multiple non-linear worlds and obtaining collectibles like Jiggies and Musical Notes in order to advance in Gruntilda's Lair. The game introduced many new features to the genre, such as the ability to learn new moves and transform Banjo into different forms. The items scattered throughout the worlds each have different functions: the Jiggies allow Banjo and Kazooie to open new levels in Gruntilda's Lair by completing [[Jigsaw Picture]]s, the Musical Notes allow them to open [[Note Door]]s, the [[Mumbo Token]]s allow them to request Mumbo Jumbo's help and become different forms, the [[Hollow Honeycomb|Extra Honeycomb Piece]]s extend the duo's [[health bar]], the the [[Blue Egg]]s serve as ammo for Kazooie to shoot either from the front or behind, the [[Red Feather]]s allow them to fly and use the [[Beak Bomb]] move and the [[Golden Feather]]s allow them to use the [[Wonderwing]] move. Many other items can also be obtained but their only purpose is to be delivered to a character for a Jiggy. Kazooie can also wear [[Turbo Trainers]], speed-boosting shoes, and [[Wading Boots]], hazard-protecting boots, after learning how to with Bottles.
{{br}}
==Game information==
===Development===
[[File:Spiral Mountain preliminary.png|thumb|200px|A screenshot of an early build of ''Banjo-Kazooie'', when it became a 3D platformer.]]
''Banjo-Kazooie'' started development in the mid-1990s as a completely different game for the Super Nintendo, ''[[Dream: Land of Giants]]''. Most details regarding the game's development were unknown until 2015, when Rare discussed the game in their Rare Revealed series, "A Rare Look at Dream."<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w72kj20YNA0 Rare Revealed: A Rare Look at Dream - YouTube]</ref> and "Five Things You Didn't Know About Banjo-Kazooie."<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq-fpnnGzyU Rare Revealed: Five Things You Didn't Know About Banjo-Kazooie - YouTube]</ref> An unlockable video on ''Rare Replay'' named "Dreaming of Banjo" also revealed more information about the game's development.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds22dv3KrPY Rare Replay - The Making of Banjo Kazooie]</ref>


Banjo and Kazooie eventually reach Gruntilda, but must go through her quiz show, Furnace Fun, where Brentilda's gossip finally comes in handy. After Grunty is defeated, she escapes. They rescue Tooty, and hold a barbecue back home. Tooty, however, reminds Banjo that Grunty is still at large.  
Sometime during its development, ''Dream'' shifted its development to Nintendo 64. After a few months of development, the team felt that [[Edson]] was a weak character and began searching for a replacement. A rabbit was considered at first before the team decided on a bear, who would become Banjo. The team scrapped ''Dream'' entirely and reworked it into a 2.5D platformer similar to ''[[mariowiki:Donkey Kong Country|Donkey Kong Country]]'', which had a gameplay style more familiar for them. This was the earliest form of ''Banjo-Kazooie'', where Banjo would move along linear path collecting fruit. In the "A Rare Look at Dream" video, [[Gregg Mayles]] called it the "connecting piece" between the ''[[mariowiki:Donkey Kong (series)|Donkey Kong]]'' games they developed and the final version of ''Banjo-Kazooie''. Kazooie was created during this phase so that Banjo could perform a double jump. The team designed some more moves that involved both characters.<ref>"The Making of Banjo-Kazooie." ''Retro Gamer'' issue 36, pages 21–22.</ref>


Banjo and Kazooie make their way back up the lair until they finally reach the roof, with help from Dingpot. There Gruntilda challenges them to a more direct confrontation. However, with the help of the Jinjos, Banjo and Kazooie defeat Gruntilda and ultimately knock her off her tower. She crashes into the ground, creating a create of her shape, then is covered by a large rock that fell from the tower, trapping her beneath it. Banjo and Kazooie finally take a well-deserved break at the beach, where they and their friends anticipate the sequel, [[Banjo-Tooie]], while Gruntilda, whose minion [[Klungo]] is trying to rescue her, swears revenge.
One day, the developers saw an early version of ''[[mariowiki:Super Mario 64|Super Mario 64]]'', making their project looked obsolete in comparison. The project was scrapped again, and the team began a fourth and final attempt at making the game in the style of ''Super Mario 64''. This version would be finalized and released as ''Banjo-Kazooie''. The game was in development for 17 months after ''Dream'' was scrapped.<ref>"The Making of Banjo-Kazooie." ''Retro Gamer'' issue 36, page 20.</ref>


==Main Characters==
===Pre-release and unused content===
*[[Banjo|Banjo the Bear]]
{{Main|List of Banjo-Kazooie pre-release and unused content}}
*[[Kazooie|Kazooie the Breegull]]
*[[Gruntilda|Gruntilda Winkybunion]]
*[[Tooty]]
*[[Bottles|Bottles the Mole]]
*[[Mumbo Jumbo]]
*[[Brentilda|Brentilda Winkybunion]]
*[[Klungo]]


==Worlds==
===Music===
There are nine main worlds, one overworld/hub world, one starter world and three worlds that were unfinished so were not featured in the game. This comes to a total of eleven worlds featured in Banjo-Kazooie.
The music was composed by [[Grant Kirkhope]]. A [[Banjo-Kazooie: The Soundtrack|CD soundtrack]] was exclusively sold to Nintendo Power subscribers or a pre-order bonus at Best Buy stores. According to an interview with OC Remix, Kirkhope stated that ''Banjo-Kazooie'' was his favorite work that he composed.


===Main Worlds===
==Listings==
*[[Mumbo's Mountain]]
===[[Characters in Banjo-Kazooie|Characters]]===
*[[Treasure Trove Cove]]
===[[Bosses in Banjo-Kazooie|Bosses]]===
*[[Clanker's Cavern]]
===[[Enemies in Banjo-Kazooie|Enemies]]===
*[[Bubblegloop Swamp]]
===[[Locations in Banjo-Kazooie|Locations]]===
*[[Freezeezy Peak]]
===[[Items in Banjo-Kazooie|Items]]===
*[[Gobi's Valley]]
===[[Objects in Banjo-Kazooie|Objects]]===
*[[Mad Monster Mansion]]
===Spells===
*[[Rusty Bucket Bay]]
In each world that Mumbo Jumbo appears in, he can transform Banjo into a different creature or object if he has enough [[Mumbo Token]]s.
*[[Click Clock Wood]]


===Other Worlds===
*[[Mumbo's Mountain]] - A termite, which can't attack, but can sneak past other termites and can scale steep surfaces.
*[[Spiral Mountain]] (starter world)
*[[Bubblegloop Swamp]] - A crocodile which is resistant to (or at least scares away) the piranhas that infest the water, as well as being able to bite.
*[[Gruntilda's Lair]] (overworld/hub world)
*[[Freezeezy Peak]] - A walrus, resistant to the icy waters of the area.
*[[Mad Monster Mansion]] - A pumpkin, which bounces around to move, can go into small spaces,and will not be hurt by the thorns on top of the hedges.
**[[Grunty's Lair]] - Mumbo appears inside a small hut near the entrance to Mad Monster Mansion. Here, his purpose is to transform Banjo back to his normal form, which enables him to hit a switch in the room, before being re-transformed into a pumpkin in order to leave.
*[[Click Clock Wood]] - During Spring, Mumbo will offer his services and transform the duo into a bee, which can fly very high altitudes, and can sneak into the Zubbas' hive.
**During Summer, however, it's too hot to perform the spell.
**During Autumn, however, he's too busy raking up leaves.
**During Winter, he's gone on holiday and has gotten a [[Beehive]] to watch over his hut.


===Unfinished Worlds===
His hut is absent from [[Treasure Trove Cove]], [[Clanker's Cavern]], [[Gobi's Valley]] and [[Rusty Bucket Bay]]; as such, those levels don't have transformations.
*[[Fungus Forest]]- Could have been where the [[Click Clock Wood]] Jigsaw is now. Was inputted into the game Donkey Kong 64.
*[[Hammerhead Beach]]- Only the Beta name of [[Treasure Trove Cove]].
*[[Mount Fire Eyes]]- This level is used in [[Banjo-Tooie]] as [[Hailfire Peaks]].
*An un-named ore mine world. Reused as [[Glitter Gulch Mine]] in Banjo-Tooie
*An un-named amusement park. Reused as [[Witchyworld]] in Banjo-Tooie


==Game Reaction==
Very rarely, he mistakenly turns Banjo into a washing machine, before going on to turn him into the correct transformation. Also he mentions he would turn Banjo into a [[T-Rex]] but changes his mind, saying that the transformation is meant for the [[Banjo-Tooie|next game]].
Banjo-Kazooie was highly successful when released, selling nearly two million copies in the United States.
 
==Reception==
''Banjo-Kazooie'' was highly successful when it was released, selling over 1.8 million copies in the United States.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110716215431/http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml US Platinum Videogame Chart - The Magic Box]</ref> At the 1999 Interactive Achievement Awards, ''Banjo-Kazooie'' won in the Console Action/Adventure and Art Direction categories, and was a nominee for the "Console Adventure Game of the Year" and "Game of the Year" categories.
 
It also received the following ratings:


*IGN: 9.6
*IGN: 9.6
Line 82: Line 83:
*GameStats: 9.2
*GameStats: 9.2
*1Up.com: 9.2
*1Up.com: 9.2
*Metacritic: 92 of 100 (Based on 19 reviews)
*Metacritic: 23 of 25 (based on 19 reviews)
*Game Rankings: 91% (Based on 14 reviews)
*Game Rankings: 91% (based on 14 reviews)


==Gallery==
{{main-gallery}}


==Awards==
==Names in other languages==
At the 1999 Interactive Achievement Awards, Banjo-Kazooie won in the Console Action/Adventure and Art Direction categories, and was nominated for Console Adventure Game of the Year and Game of the Year. In an episode of ''Reviews On The Run'' Banjo-Kazooie was number 1 on the list of the "5 classic Rare games you should try"; it beat out ''Saber Wulf'', ''Conker's Bad Fur Day'', and ''Kameo: Elements of Power'', which were also running for the same award.
{{Foreign names
|Jap=バンジョーとカズーイの大冒険
|JapR=Banjo to Kazooie no Daibouken
|JapM=Banjo and Kazooie's Big Adventure
}}


== Music ==
==Trivia==
The music from the game was composed by Grant Kirkhope. A CD Soundtrack was also available exclusively to Best Buy and Nintendo Power Subscribers. Nintendo Power Subscribers got two additional tracks with the CD.
*On December 29, 2020, both ''Banjo-Kazooie'' and ''[[rarewiki:Blast Corps|Blast Corps]]'' were mistakenly listed as upcoming games for the {{wp|Wii U}} Virtual Console, both having a set release date of December 30, 2020. The error was fixed that same day, and both titles were removed from the list.<ref>[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/schedule/index.html Nintendo's Japanese release schedule] (Retrieved on December 30, 2020). [https://web.archive.org/web/20201230081243/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/schedule/index.html Wayback link] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20201230205001/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/schedule/index.html Screenshot])</ref><ref>[https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/12/random_dust_off_your_wii_u_its_time_for_some_banjo-kazooie_and_blast_corps NintendoLife article] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220605024714/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/12/random_dust_off_your_wii_u_its_time_for_some_banjo-kazooie_and_blast_corps archive.org])</ref>


== Jig Saw Maker ==
==References==
Warning: DO NOT do this achievement until you have collected all 900 notes for the  "Music Maestro" achievement. Doing this will remove all the notes from all the stages, making it impossible to get your remaining notes.
<references/>
After beating the game, return to Banjo's house in Spiral Mountain and stand at the edge of the carpet. Press Y and look at the picture of Bottles. If done right the game will start. If nothing happens you're not in the right spot, so move and try again.
There are seven puzzles to complete for the achievement. The puzzles will always break apart in the same pattern so if you are having trouble, try to do the same thing over and over until you get fast enough.


==External links==
{{Other wikis
|Wikipedia=1
|RareWiki=1
}}
*[https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-64/Banjo-Kazooie-269415.html Banjo-Kazooie | Nintendo 64 | Games | Nintendo] (English)
*[https://web.archive.org/web/19990430002610/http://www.banjo-kazooie.com/intro/index.html Nintendo.com - Banjo-Kazooie!] (English) on Wayback Machine
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20010817180554/http://banjo-kazooie.com/espanol/intro/index.html Nintendo.com - Banjo-Kazooie!] (Spanish) on Wayback Machine
*[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nbkj/index.html バンジョーとカズーイの大冒険] (Japanese)


==See Also==
{{Banjo-Kazooie series}}
*[[List of Characters#Minor Characters in Banjo-Kazooie|List of Minor Characters from Banjo-Kazooie]]
{{BK}}
*[[List of Enemies#Banjo-Kazooie|List of Enemies from Banjo-Kazooie]]
*[[List of Items and Objects#Banjo-Kazooie|List of Items and Objects from Banjo-Kazooie]]
 
== Gallery ==
=== Beta Images ===
<gallery>
Image:bkbeta1.JPG
Image:bkbeta2.jpg
Image:bkbeta3.jpg
Image:bkbeta4.JPG
Image:bkbeta5.JPG
Image:bkbeta6.JPG
Image:bkbeta7.jpg
Image:bkbeta8.jpg
Image:bkbeta9.jpg
Image:bkbeta10.jpg
Image:bkbeta11.jpg
Image:bkbeta12.jpg
Image:bkbeta13.jpg
Image:bkbeta14.jpg
Image:bkbeta15.jpg
Image:bkbeta16.jpg
Image:bkbeta17.jpg
Image:bkbeta18.jpg
Image:bkbeta19.jpg
Image:bkbeta20.jpg
</gallery>
 
{{Games}}
{{BKCharacters}}
[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:Games]]
[[de:Banjo-Kazooie]]
[[Category:3D games]]
[[Category:Banjo-Kazooie|*]]
[[Category:Banjo-Kazooie series]]

Latest revision as of 14:24, December 7, 2023

Banjo-Kazooie
Banjo-Kazooie NA box cover.png
Developer Rare Ltd.
Publisher Nintendo
Designer Gregg Mayles
Console(s) Nintendo 64
Release date(s) NA: June 29, 1998
EU: July 17, 1998
JA: December 6, 1998
Genre Platformer
Mode Single player
Rating ESRB: E (Everyone)
ELSPA: 3+
OFLC: G
Media 128 Megabit Cartridge
Input Nintendo 64 Controller

Banjo-Kazooie is the first game in the Banjo-Kazooie series. It was developed by Rare Ltd. and published by Nintendo. It was released on the Nintendo 64 in North America on June 29th, 1998, Europe on Jully 17, and in Japan on December 6th. The story involves the two heroes, Banjo and Kazooie, going on an adventure to rescue Tooty from Gruntilda, who tries stealing Tooty's beauty. The game received a sequel in 2000, titled Banjo-Tooie.

In 2008, Banjo-Kazooie was ported to the Xbox Live Arcade, where it received updated textures, the addition of the unused Stop 'n' Swop feature from the original games code, and other minor changes. In the September 2021 Nintendo Direct, Banjo-Kazooie was revealed as one of the games planned for inclusion on the Nintendo Switch Online service, and was released on January 20, 2022, marking its first re-release on a Nintendo console.

Plot[edit]

Gruntilda asking Dingpot who is "the nicest looking wench"

The evil witch of Spiral Mountain, Gruntilda, is inside her lair, asking her cauldron Dingpot questions about who is the 'nicest and fairest of them all', to which Dingpot reluctantly answers, "Why it's Grunty, any day, she really takes my breath away." She gloats over her "beauty," until Dingpot finally breaks his 'silence' and tells the witch that Tooty, another inhabitant of Spiral Mountain, is actually the prettiest and the fairest of them all. Grunty reacts angrily and decides to kidnap Tooty in order to steal her beauty. She grabs her broom and sets off immediately.

Tooty is confronted by Grunty.

Meanwhile, Tooty is running around Spiral Mountain, when she is greeted by Bottles in front of Banjo's House. She eagerly tells Bottles that she is going on an adventure with her brother, Banjo. Inside the house, Banjo is sleeping soundly, with his breegull friend, Kazooie, sleeping in his backpack, which is hanging on a nearby coat rack. Tooty and Bottles are still talking, until Bottles spots Grunty in the distance, but confuses her for Banjo (due to his short-sightedness). Grunty immediately goes for Tooty, and a struggle ensues. Kazooie, eager for action and adventure, overhears the clamor outside as well as Bottles' cries for help and tries to wake Banjo up. Banjo and Kazooie leave their house, only to discover that Grunty has gone off and kidnapped Tooty. Bottles tells the bear and bird that they must venture to Gruntilda's Lair to rescue Tooty. Bottles offers to prepare the duo to fight Gruntilda by teaching them some basic moves and repairing the bridge leading to the lair's entrance. Banjo and Kazooie set off on an adventure into the lair to save Tooty.

Once inside the lair, Banjo and Kazooie find a Jiggy, which is used to open and unlock levels around the lair by completing Jigsaw Puzzle pictures. They soon find a painting that fits their first Jiggy, opening the first level of the lair, Mumbo's Mountain. Banjo and Kazooie enter the first level and find that their quest is not as easy as they had anticipated. They discover that they need to rescue Jinjos imprisoned by Grunty throughout each of the levels as well as collect Musical Notes, which are needed to open up Note Doors, to progress through the deeper areas of Gruntilda's Lair. They also meet Mumbo Jumbo, a skull-faced shaman who offers his services to the bear and bird by transforming the adventurers into different animals with new abilities.

The two continue progressing through the lair, gathering musical notes, Jiggies, and other collectibles along the way, as well as rescuing the Jinjos of each level. They also encounter Mumbo Jumbo and Bottles several times, who continue to help the heroes by transforming them and teaching them new moves, respectively. Banjo and Kazooie also get help from Gruntilda's nicer sister, Brentilda, who gossips interesting facts about her ugly sister.

After successfully surviving through all nine levels in Grunty's Lair, Banjo and Kazooie eventually reach Gruntilda but are forced to participate in her quiz show, Grunty's Furnace Fun. Thanks to the information provided by Brentilda's gossips, Banjo and Kazooie win Grunty's game and save Tooty. With Tooty rescued, they return home and celebrate with a barbecue. However, Tooty reminds our heroes that Grunty had escaped shortly after the game show and was still at large, plotting her wicked schemes.

Banjo and Kazooie make their way back up the lair until they finally reach the roof with a little help from Dingpot. On the roof, Gruntilda challenges them to a more direct confrontation and an epic battle ensues. But, with the help of the Jinjos they rescued in the various levels in Gruntilda's Lair, Banjo and Kazooie defeat Gruntilda and ultimately knock her off her tower. She crashes into the ground, creating a crater of her shape, which is then covered by a large boulder that falls from the tower and traps her beneath it. Banjo and Kazooie finally take a well-deserved break at the beach, where the bear and bird and their friends anticipate a sequel, Banjo-Tooie. Meanwhile, Gruntilda, whose loyal minion Klungo is trying to rescue her, swears her revenge.

Gameplay[edit]

Banjo in Mumbo's Mountain, the first world.

In Banjo-Kazooie, the player controls Banjo and Kazooie, exploring multiple non-linear worlds and obtaining collectibles like Jiggies and Musical Notes in order to advance in Gruntilda's Lair. The game introduced many new features to the genre, such as the ability to learn new moves and transform Banjo into different forms. The items scattered throughout the worlds each have different functions: the Jiggies allow Banjo and Kazooie to open new levels in Gruntilda's Lair by completing Jigsaw Pictures, the Musical Notes allow them to open Note Doors, the Mumbo Tokens allow them to request Mumbo Jumbo's help and become different forms, the Extra Honeycomb Pieces extend the duo's health bar, the the Blue Eggs serve as ammo for Kazooie to shoot either from the front or behind, the Red Feathers allow them to fly and use the Beak Bomb move and the Golden Feathers allow them to use the Wonderwing move. Many other items can also be obtained but their only purpose is to be delivered to a character for a Jiggy. Kazooie can also wear Turbo Trainers, speed-boosting shoes, and Wading Boots, hazard-protecting boots, after learning how to with Bottles.

Game information[edit]

Development[edit]

A screenshot of an early build of Banjo-Kazooie, when it became a 3D platformer.

Banjo-Kazooie started development in the mid-1990s as a completely different game for the Super Nintendo, Dream: Land of Giants. Most details regarding the game's development were unknown until 2015, when Rare discussed the game in their Rare Revealed series, "A Rare Look at Dream."[1] and "Five Things You Didn't Know About Banjo-Kazooie."[2] An unlockable video on Rare Replay named "Dreaming of Banjo" also revealed more information about the game's development.[3]

Sometime during its development, Dream shifted its development to Nintendo 64. After a few months of development, the team felt that Edson was a weak character and began searching for a replacement. A rabbit was considered at first before the team decided on a bear, who would become Banjo. The team scrapped Dream entirely and reworked it into a 2.5D platformer similar to Donkey Kong Country, which had a gameplay style more familiar for them. This was the earliest form of Banjo-Kazooie, where Banjo would move along linear path collecting fruit. In the "A Rare Look at Dream" video, Gregg Mayles called it the "connecting piece" between the Donkey Kong games they developed and the final version of Banjo-Kazooie. Kazooie was created during this phase so that Banjo could perform a double jump. The team designed some more moves that involved both characters.[4]

One day, the developers saw an early version of Super Mario 64, making their project looked obsolete in comparison. The project was scrapped again, and the team began a fourth and final attempt at making the game in the style of Super Mario 64. This version would be finalized and released as Banjo-Kazooie. The game was in development for 17 months after Dream was scrapped.[5]

Pre-release and unused content[edit]

Main article: List of Banjo-Kazooie pre-release and unused content

Music[edit]

The music was composed by Grant Kirkhope. A CD soundtrack was exclusively sold to Nintendo Power subscribers or a pre-order bonus at Best Buy stores. According to an interview with OC Remix, Kirkhope stated that Banjo-Kazooie was his favorite work that he composed.

Listings[edit]

Characters[edit]

Bosses[edit]

Enemies[edit]

Locations[edit]

Items[edit]

Objects[edit]

Spells[edit]

In each world that Mumbo Jumbo appears in, he can transform Banjo into a different creature or object if he has enough Mumbo Tokens.

  • Mumbo's Mountain - A termite, which can't attack, but can sneak past other termites and can scale steep surfaces.
  • Bubblegloop Swamp - A crocodile which is resistant to (or at least scares away) the piranhas that infest the water, as well as being able to bite.
  • Freezeezy Peak - A walrus, resistant to the icy waters of the area.
  • Mad Monster Mansion - A pumpkin, which bounces around to move, can go into small spaces,and will not be hurt by the thorns on top of the hedges.
    • Grunty's Lair - Mumbo appears inside a small hut near the entrance to Mad Monster Mansion. Here, his purpose is to transform Banjo back to his normal form, which enables him to hit a switch in the room, before being re-transformed into a pumpkin in order to leave.
  • Click Clock Wood - During Spring, Mumbo will offer his services and transform the duo into a bee, which can fly very high altitudes, and can sneak into the Zubbas' hive.
    • During Summer, however, it's too hot to perform the spell.
    • During Autumn, however, he's too busy raking up leaves.
    • During Winter, he's gone on holiday and has gotten a Beehive to watch over his hut.

His hut is absent from Treasure Trove Cove, Clanker's Cavern, Gobi's Valley and Rusty Bucket Bay; as such, those levels don't have transformations.

Very rarely, he mistakenly turns Banjo into a washing machine, before going on to turn him into the correct transformation. Also he mentions he would turn Banjo into a T-Rex but changes his mind, saying that the transformation is meant for the next game.

Reception[edit]

Banjo-Kazooie was highly successful when it was released, selling over 1.8 million copies in the United States.[6] At the 1999 Interactive Achievement Awards, Banjo-Kazooie won in the Console Action/Adventure and Art Direction categories, and was a nominee for the "Console Adventure Game of the Year" and "Game of the Year" categories.

It also received the following ratings:

  • IGN: 9.6
  • GameSpot: 9.5
  • GameStats: 9.2
  • 1Up.com: 9.2
  • Metacritic: 23 of 25 (based on 19 reviews)
  • Game Rankings: 91% (based on 14 reviews)

Gallery[edit]

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Banjo-Kazooie.

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning
Japanese バンジョーとカズーイの大冒険
Banjo to Kazooie no Daibouken		 Banjo and Kazooie's Big Adventure

Trivia[edit]

  • On December 29, 2020, both Banjo-Kazooie and Blast Corps were mistakenly listed as upcoming games for the Wii U Virtual Console, both having a set release date of December 30, 2020. The error was fixed that same day, and both titles were removed from the list.[7][8]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Rare Revealed: A Rare Look at Dream - YouTube
  2. ↑ Rare Revealed: Five Things You Didn't Know About Banjo-Kazooie - YouTube
  3. ↑ Rare Replay - The Making of Banjo Kazooie
  4. ↑ "The Making of Banjo-Kazooie." Retro Gamer issue 36, pages 21–22.
  5. ↑ "The Making of Banjo-Kazooie." Retro Gamer issue 36, page 20.
  6. ↑ US Platinum Videogame Chart - The Magic Box
  7. ↑ Nintendo's Japanese release schedule (Retrieved on December 30, 2020). Wayback link (Screenshot)
  8. ↑ NintendoLife article (archive.org)

External links[edit]

Banjo-Kazooie on other wikis:
Rare Wiki favicon.png
Wikipedia icon.png
Banjo-Kazooie series
Video games Main games Banjo-Kazooie • Banjo-Tooie • Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts (L.O.G.'s Lost Challenges)
Spin-offs Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge • Banjo-Pilot (Diddy Kong Pilot)
Ports Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge Mobile / Missions • Banjo-Kazooie (Xbox Live Arcade) • Banjo-Tooie (Xbox Live Arcade)
Browser Banjo-Kazooie Memory Game • The LUNCHABLES "Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts" Aerial Challenge
Tech demos Space World 2000 tech demo • Banjo-Kazooie (SXSW 2015 Gaming Awards) • Hairball Heroes
Canceled Dream: Land of Giants • Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Curse • Banjo's Jiggy Juggle • Banjo X • Banjo-Karting • The Fast and the Furriest (racing game) • The Fast and the Furriest (party game)
Club Nintendo comics Super Mario in Aloha Hawaii • Mitternacht Imhexendom • Das Horrorhaus der Gerfangenen Jinjos • Freeze Frame • N-Gang vs. Nintendo • Die Hexe lacht um Mitternacht
Miscellaneous Banjo-Kazooie (cartoon) • Diddy Kong Racing: 4-koma Gag Battle • Merchandise • Nintendo Power • Rare on Xbox Promo Movie • References • Stop 'n' Swop • Website
Related games Diddy Kong Racing • Diddy Kong Racing DS • Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing with Banjo-Kazooie • Rare Replay • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Banjo-Kazooie (Xbox Live Arcade)
Playable characters Banjo • Kazooie
Transformations Termite Banjo • Crocodile Banjo • Walrus Banjo • Pumpkin Banjo • Bee Banjo • Washer Banjo
Supporting characters Ancient Ones • Bikini Girl • Boggy • Bottles • Brentilda • Captain Blubber • Cheato • Chimpy • Clanker • Croctus • Dingpot • Eyrie • Flower pots • Gloop • Gnawty • Gobi • Grabba • Groggy • Broomstick • Histup • Jinjos • Jinxy • Juju • Klungo • Leaky • Loggo • Magic Cauldrons • The Mighty Jinjonator • Moggy • Motzand • Mr. Vile • Mrs. Nabnut • Mumbo Jumbo • Nabnut • Napper • Roysten • Rubee • Snorkel • Soggy • Tanktup • Tiptup • Tiptup Choir • Toots • Tooty • Trunker • Tumblar • Twinkly • Wozza
Bosses Conga • Nipper • Black Snippet • Mutie-Snippet • Yellow Flibbits • Boss Boom Box • Zubbas • Gruntilda
Enemies Bawl • Beehive • Bigbutt • Big Clucker • Black Snippet • Boom Box • Buzzbomb • Chinker • Chump • Colliwobble • Flibbit • Flotsam • Grille Chompa • Grimlet • Grublin • Grublin Hood • Gruntling • King Sandybutt • Limbo • Little Lockup • Lockup • Mum-mum • • Nibbly • Portrait Chompa • Quarrie • Ripper • Scabby • Seaman Grublin • Shrapnel • Sir Slush • Slappa • Snacker • Snarebear • Snippet • Tee-hee • Ticker • Topper • Twinkly Muncher • Whipcrack • Whiplash • Yum-Yum
Items Acorn • Blubber's Treasure • Blue Egg • Caterpillar • Extra Honeycomb Piece • Extra Life • Gold Feather • Honeycomb • Ice Key • Jiggy • Jinjo • Musical Note • Mumbo's Magic Token • Mystery Egg • Orange • Present • Red Feather • Turbo Trainers • Wading Boots
Objects Pads Exit Pad • Flight Pad • Jiggy Pad • Shock Jump Disc
Switches Fan Switch • Honeycomb Switch • Jiggy Switch • Jiggy Pad Switch • Orange Switch • Pyramid Switch • Rotor Switch • Season Switch • Water Raise Switch • Witch Switch
Obstacles Spider web • Toxic Waste • Icy water • Lava • Oily water • Piranha water • Quicksand • Bramble field
Others Beauty Steal Machine • Blue Egg Toll • Gruntilda Doll • Jigsaw Picture • Molehill
Abilities Beak Barge • Beak Bomb • Beak Buster • Claw Swipe • Climb • Dive • Egg Firing • Feathery Flap • Flap Flip • Flight • Forward Roll • Jump • Rat-a-tat Rap • Shock Spring Jump • Stilt Stride • Talon Trot • Turbo Talon Trot • Wonderwing
Locations Overworld Spiral Mountain • Gruntilda's Lair (Grunty's Furnace Fun • Winkybunion Tower)
Worlds Mumbo's Mountain • Treasure Trove Cove • Clanker's Cavern • Bubblegloop Swamp • Freezeezy Peak • Gobi's Valley • Mad Monster Mansion • Rusty Bucket Bay • Click Clock Wood
Other places Banjo's House • Boggy's Igloo • Gnawty's Lodge • Mumbo's Hut • the Squirrel's House • Rusty Bucket • Sandcastle • Sharkfood Island • Ticker's Tower • Wozza's Cave • Zubba's Nest
Minigames Grunty's Furnace Fun • Bottles' Moving Picture Game
Other Banjo-Kazooie Memory Game • Banjo-Kazooie Promo Video • Banjo-Kazooie: The Soundtrack • Dream: Land of Giants • Gallery • Pre-release and unused content • Glitches • Stop 'n' Swop
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