Difference between revisions of "Banjo"

'''Banjo''' is one of the two eponymous stars of the [[Banjo-Kazooie (series)|''Banjo-Kazooie'' series]], along with [[Kazooie]], and is a playable character in every game. Banjo is a brown Honey Bear who lives in a [[Banjo's House|house]] on [[Spiral Mountain]] with his friend Kazooie and younger sister [[Tooty]]. He is named after the {{wp|banjo}}, a musical instrument which he also plays. However, Banjo could possibly be named after former Nintendo president {{wp|Hiroshi Yamauchi}}'s grandchild, Banjo.<ref>[https://twitter.com/AndyPlaytonic/status/1104730618158493696  Andy Robinson on Twitter: "Heard this amazing trivia in Japan this week: Banjo and Kazooie are allegedly named after (at least partly) former Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi’s grandchild Banjo and son Katsuhito" / Twitter] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220623094944/https://twitter.com/AndyPlaytonic/status/1104730618158493696 archive.org])</ref>

===''Diddy Kong Racing''===

[[File:DKR Banjo Car.png|thumb|left|200px|''Diddy Kong Racing'' artwork]]

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]].

[[File:BK Banjo Kazooie artwork.jpg|thumb|200x200px|''Banjo-Kazooie'' artwork]]

Banjo's first debut as the protagonist of the main series was in the Nintendo 64 title ''[[Banjo-Kazooie]]''. Jealous of Banjo's younger sister, Tooty's good looks, Gruntilda steals her away, wishing to steal her beauty for herself. Banjo and Kazooie immediately head out to rescue her, but before heading out to save her, the duo stumble upon their long-time friend, [[Bottles]], whose role is teaching [[Ability|abilities]] to the duo throughout the game. After learning a few moves in Spiral Mountain, the duo cross over a drawbridge to enter into [[Gruntilda's Lair]], where most of the game takes place, leading into the nine levels hosted within.

As shown in the game intro, Banjo is capable of playing the banjo instrument.

Two years later, in ''[[Banjo-Tooie]]'', Gruntilda is freed from under her boulder by her sisters, [[Blobbelda]] and [[Mingella]]. Meanwhile, Banjo and his friends are playing poker. Mumbo finds out about the witches and tries warns the others to escape from [[Banjo's House]]. Gruntilda, after noticing Mumbo, starts to chase him and fires a powerful spell, destroying Banjo's House and killing Bottles.

Before engaging in a final battle against Grunty, Banjo and Kazooie use the Big-O-Blaster to revive [[King Jingaling]] and Bottles. Eventually, the duo defeat Gruntilda and destroy the Hag 1 in battle. The ending shows Banjo and Kazooie celebrating at [[Bottles' House]] with the other characters.

[[File:Banjo B-P art.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''Banjo-Pilot'' artwork]]

Banjo appears as the titular character of the racing spin-off title, ''[[Banjo-Pilot]]''. He has arguably the most average stats in the game, aside from possibly [[Mumbo Jumbo]]. Banjo is the champion of Beehive Cup, where the player competes against him at the end, in the dogfight match "Banjo Brawl." Like the other characters, when Banjo is flying in front in a dogfight match, he drops behind a unique object that functions similarly to [[Ice Egg]]s. In his case, he leaves behind washing machines, which are each hanging from parachutes. Banjo's Top Speed is 3/5, his Acceleration is 3/5, and his Handling is 2/5.

[[File:N&B Banjo Kazooie.jpg|thumb|200px|Banjo and Kazooie, as they appear in ''Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts'']]

In the eight years leading up to ''[[Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts]]'', Banjo and Kazooie become obese, as they spend most of their days eating pizza, playing games, and sleeping. Eventually, they get in a feud with Grunty over who claims ownership over Spiral Mountain, in which [[Lord of Games|L.O.G.]] starts a competition over. Unlike his previous adventures, Banjo would utilize vehicles for most of his adventure, instead of using the abilities he forgot over time. Banjo eventually wins the challenge and gains access to the deeds to Spiral Mountain.

{{Main|References to the Banjo-Kazooie series}}

Artwork of Banjo's ''Diddy Kong Racing'' appearance was featured in ''[[mariowiki:Mario Artist: Paint Studio|Mario Artist: Paint Studio]]'', as well as two images of Banjo and Kazooie together.

In ''{{wp|List of Xbox One games|#IDARB}}'', Banjo and Kazooie appear as playable characters. They are available in the "Rare Ltd." pack.

===''Diddy Kong Racing''===

*'''Manual profile:''' "''(Low acceleration, heavy weight, good handling, high top speed) Even before the start of his future partnership with Kazooie, Banjo isn't one to turn down the chance of an adventure. So when Squawks brings the message from his pal Diddy Kong, the Honey Bear stuffs a few things into his trusty backpack and takes to his heels.''"

{{N&B}}

[[Category:Bears]]

[[Category:Playable characters]]

[[Category:Characters in Banjo-Kazooie]]

[[Category:Characters in Banjo-Pilot]]

[[Category:Characters in Nuts & Bolts]]