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{{LLQuote|Hi, I'm Banjo!|[[Banjo]]|[[Diddy Kong Racing]]}}
{{character infobox
{{Character-infobox
|image=[[File:Banjo DKR art.jpg|200px]]<br>Artwork from ''Diddy Kong Racing''
|image=[[Image:BanjoKazooieN&B.jpg|215px]]
|full_name=Banjo the bear<ref>{{cite|archive=web.archive.org/web/19990218060558/http://www.nintendo.com.au/games/n64/games/dkracing.html|deadlink=y|title=''Diddy Kong Racing''|publisher=Nintendo of Australia}}</ref>
|full_name=Banjo
|species=Honey Bear<ref>{{cite|url=www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-64/Banjo-Kazooie-269415.html|title=Banjo-Kazooie {{!}} Nintendo 64 {{!}} Games {{!}} Nintendo|publisher=Nintendo of UK|language=en-gb|accessdate=May 11, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|date=1997|title=''Diddy Kong Racing'' instruction booklet|page=24|author=Rareware|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us}}</ref>
|first_appearance=''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'' ([[1997]])
|first_appearance=''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'' ([[List of games by date#1997|1997]], overall)<br>''{{wp|Banjo-Kazooie (video game)|Banjo-Kazooie}}'' (1998, home series)
|affiliation=[[Diddy Kong]], [[Conker]], [[Taj the Genie]]
|latest_appearance=''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' (Challenger Pack 3) (2019)
|species=Bear
|portrayed_by=[[Chris Sutherland]] ([[List of games by date#1997|1997]]–present)<ref>{{cite|author=Christopher Niosi|url=youtu.be/Q83W5_srddA?t=6m37s|title=Talkin' Rare & Playtonic Games w/ Chris Sutherland (feat. Shadyvox) - Kirblog 6/17/17|timestamp=00:06:37|publisher=YouTube|language=English|accessdate=May 11, 2024}}</ref><ref>Credited in the sound test menu in the Japanese version of ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''.</ref>
|latest_appearance=''[[wikipedia:Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts|Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts]]'' ([[2008]])
}}
}}
'''Banjo the Honey Bear''' is the lazy yet well-meaning protagonist of the [[wikipedia:Banjo-Kazooie (series)|''Banjo-Kazooie'' series]], in which he and his best friend Kazooie fight the evil witch, Gruntilda. He is also a friend of [[Diddy Kong]] and [[Donkey Kong]], and first appeared in ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]''.
{{quote|I'm Banjo!|[[Banjo]]|[[Diddy Kong Racing]]}}
'''{{wp|Banjo & Kazooie|Banjo}}''' is one of the two protagonists of former [[Nintendo]] partner [[Rare Ltd.|Rare]]'s {{wp|Banjo-Kazooie|''Banjo-Kazooie'' series}}, along with his best friend, [[Kazooie]]. He is characterized as a honey bear with light-brown fur, tan skin, blue eyes, and a black nose, and he wears a shark-tooth necklace, yellow shorts, and a blue backpack that houses Kazooie. Banjo made his debut, both overall and in the ''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]'' franchise, as a playable character in ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'', and he and his series were owned by Nintendo up until the acquisition of Rare by Microsoft in 2002, with ''Banjo'' characters making some appearances in the ''Mario'' franchise during that period. In exchange for Rare obtaining full rights to Banjo, [[Nintendo]] gained full rights to Rare's ''[[Donkey Kong (franchise)|Donkey Kong]]'' additions, such as the various [[Kong|Kong Family]] members and the [[Kremling]]s.


==History==
==History==
===''Diddy Kong Racing===
===''Diddy Kong Racing''===
Banjo is one of the many friends that Diddy Kong contacts via [[Squawks the Parrot]] in ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]''. When the intergalactic traveler, [[Wizpig]], invaded and conquered [[Timber's Island]], Timber called on [[Diddy Kong]] for help. In turn, Diddy Kong sent Squawks the Parrot to find Banjo and [[Conker the Squirrel|Conker]] to request their assistance. The three traveled to the island, where with [[Timber]] and four of his friends, they competed in a variety of racing challenges to liberate the island and decide which of them would have the best change to defeat Wizpig. As one of the heavier racers, Banjo had slow acceleration but ultimately a higher top speed. His handing though was below average. Eventually, the eight, with or without the help of unlockable characters [[Drumstick]] and [[T.T.]], managed to drive Wizpig back to his home world: [[Future Fun Land]]. Banjo elected not to attend the celebration party, but he quickly returned when Wizpig struck back. He and the others traveled to Future Fun Land, conquered its challenges, and took on Wizpig. In their final race with the villain, Wizpig's rocket malfunctioned and he stranded himself on a deserted planet.
[[File:Carbanjo.png|thumb|left|Banjo, as he first appears in ''Diddy Kong Racing'']]
Banjo incidentally made his first appearance in ''Diddy Kong Racing''. When [[Wizpig]] invaded [[Timber's Island]], [[Timber]] calls for [[Diddy Kong]]'s assistance. In turn, he sends [[Squawks]] to contact his friends, one of whom is Banjo. All the characters compete in a variety of racing challenges to liberate the island and decide who would race Wizpig. Eventually, the eight racers, with the help of [[Taj]] and [[T.T.]], drove Wizpig back to his home planet, [[Future Fun Land]]. However, Wizpig returns, and the racers go to his homeworld. At the end of the world, the winning character races Wizpig again, who rides on a rocket missile for the rematch. On the character selection screen, Banjo's theme instrument is the banjo. The menu's theme is re-composed in a banjo when the player highlights him. Like the other characters, Banjo says his name when he is selected. As a heavyweight racer, Banjo has slow acceleration, which is compensated for a high top speed (57 MPH without [[Banana]]s). His handling is below average but still exceeds [[Krunch]]'s.


===''N-Gang===
Since Microsoft had direct ownership over Banjo and Conker, both of them do not appear in ''[[Diddy Kong Racing DS]]''. Instead, they were replaced with [[Tiny Kong]] and [[Dixie Kong]], respectively. Despite this, Banjo's theme instrument was left intact, and it plays both on the character selection and the game's introduction sequence. Banjo's statistics were also retained for Tiny Kong, who was likely redesigned for Banjo's heavyweight feature.
===="N-Gang vs. Nintendo"====
Banjo appeared in the ''[[N-Gang]]'' comic "[[N-Gang#N-Gang vs. Nintendo|N-Gang vs. Nintendo]]", where he played on the same soccer camp team with Kazooie, [[Wario]], [[Yoshi]], [[Peach]], [[Donkey Kong]], and [[Lanky Kong]]. [[Mario]] refereed the match.


==Appearance==
===''Mario no Bōken Land''===
Banjo is portrayed as an easy-going character. He virtually has an unchanged physical appearance since ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]''. He has light-brown fur, yellow shorts and a blue backpack.
Banjo makes a small, non-speaking cameo in the ''Diddy Kong Racing'' story segment of ''[[Mario no Bōken Land]]'', titled "Go Go Diddy!". The comic shows him participating in a race with his friends, with him being in sixth place.


==Game Appearances==
===''4koma Gag Battle''===
{| class=sortable cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 border=1 align=center width=100% style="border-collapse:collapse; font-family:Arial"
Banjo appears throughout the ''[[4koma Gag Battle]]'' manga adaptation of ''Diddy Kong Racing''. A certain four panel comic provides an explanation for what was in his backpack during ''Diddy Kong Racing'', since Kazooie was absent: the backpack was filled with a beehive full of bees.
 
===''N-Gang''===
Banjo and Kazooie make a brief cameo at the end of the ''[[N-Gang]]'' comic "[[N-Gang#Freeze Frame|Freeze Frame]]", where they are seen celebrating alongside many other Nintendo characters.
 
Banjo appears in the ''N-Gang'' comic, "[[N-Gang#N-Gang vs. Nintendo|N-Gang vs. Nintendo]]", where he played on the same soccer camp team with Kazooie, [[Wario]], [[Yoshi]], [[Princess Peach]], [[Donkey Kong]], and [[Lanky Kong]]. [[Mario]] refereed the match.
 
Banjo makes an appearance in the ''N-Gang'' comic "[[N-Gang#Die Hexe lacht um Mitternacht|Die Hexe lacht um Mitternacht]]". After Gruntilda transformed [[N-Gang#Toni|Toni]] and [[N-Gang#VIP|VIP]] into hot dogs and leaves to reek havoc into the city, [[N-Gang#Big B.|Big B.]] and [[N-Gang#Gecko|Gecko]] arrives and devise a plan to defeat Gruntilda. They then use VIP's machine to bring Banjo into the real world, and then launches eggs at the witch to defeat her. After that, they all celebrate.
 
===''Mario Artist: Paint Studio''===
Banjo appears in some of the character stamps in ''[[Mario Artist: Paint Studio]]'', along with other characters from ''Diddy Kong Racing'' and ''Banjo-Kazooie''.
 
===''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''===
{{SSB fighter infobox
|color=purple
|align=right
|title=Banjo & Kazooie
|emblem=BanjoKazooieEmblem.png
|image=BanjoKazooie SSBU.png
|games=''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' (downloadable)
|standard=Egg Firing / Breegull Blaster
|side=Wonderwing
|up=Shock Spring Jump
|down=Rear Egg
|final=The Mighty Jinjonator
|entrance=Banjo appears from a Jiggy-shaped portal with Kazooie, bowing.
}}
{{main-wiki|SmashWiki|Banjo & Kazooie (SSBU)}}
Banjo, alongside Kazooie and the [[List of fighters debuting in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate#Hero|heroes]] of ''Dragon Quest'', were announced as playable fighters in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' during the E3 2019 Nintendo Direct on June 11 (PDT). Banjo & Kazooie were released on September 4, 2019 (PDT) as part of Challenger Pack 3. The duo's moveset and appearances are directly pulled from their first two games, ''Banjo-Kazooie'' and ''[[jiggywikki:Banjo-Tooie|Banjo-Tooie]]'', though they also sport a few original attacks. [[smashwiki:Spiral Mountain|Spiral Mountain]], the location of their home, serves as the representation for their stage. Regarding weight, Banjo & Kazooie are collectively a heavyweight, being heavier than [[smashwiki:Link (SSBU)|Link]], [[Yoshi]], [[smashwiki:Captain Falcon (SSBU)|Captain Falcon]], [[smashwiki:Mii|Mii Gunner]], and [[smashwiki:Min Min (SSBU)|Min Min]], but lighter than Wario, [[smashwiki:Ike (SSBU)|Ike]], [[smashwiki:Ridley (SSBU)|Ridley]], [[smashwiki:Simon (SSBU)|Simon]], and [[smashwiki:Richter (SSBU)|Richter]], while having the same weight as [[Solid Snake|Snake]] and [[R.O.B.]] Their special moves are [[smashwiki:Egg Firing / Breegull Blaster|Egg Firing / Breegull Blaster]], [[smashwiki:Wonderwing|Wonderwing]], [[smashwiki:Shock Spring Jump|Shock Spring Jump]], and [[smashwiki:Rear Egg|Rear Egg]] and their Final Smash is [[smashwiki:The Mighty Jinjonator|The Mighty Jinjonator]].
 
The reveal trailer for the duo heavily references [[King K. Rool]]'s original reveal trailer, with [[Donkey Kong]], [[Diddy Kong]], and King K. Rool looking outside the window of DK's tree house and seeing a silhouette of Banjo & Kazooie. It is then revealed to be [[Duck Hunt (character)|Duck Hunt]] playing a prank, much like how the K. Rool reveal trailer had [[King Dedede]] pretending to be King K. Rool. Banjo & Kazooie then appear from the sky and knock Duck Hunt out of frame, with Banjo holding his namesake instrument.
 
Prior to Banjo's inclusion in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', he and Kazooie were among the most requested ''Super Smash Bros.'' characters of all time. A Rare employee wrote on their website back in 2009, that although they had not been considered for ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'', many Rare franchise trophies were originally in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''.<ref>{{cite|author=Lerako|url=www.raregamer.co.uk/scribes-september-18th-2009|title=Rare Scribes|date=September 18, 2009|accessdate=October 30, 2020}}</ref> Vice President of Microsoft's gaming division, {{wp|Phil Spencer}}, made a Tweet in 2015, stating "it would be cool" to see Banjo and Kazooie appear as DLC fighters in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]'' / ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U|Wii U]]''.<ref>{{cite|author=Campbell, Evan|url=www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/03/xbox-head-phil-spencer-says-it-would-be-cool-to-see-banjo-in-super-smash-bros-for-nintendo-3ds-and-wii-u Xbox Head|title=Xbox Head Phil Spencer Says 'It Would Be Cool' to See Banjo in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U|publisher=IGN|date=April 3, 2015|accessdate=May 11, 2024}}</ref> He doubled down on the comments in 2018, a year before Banjo and Kazooie's reveal in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''.<ref>{{cite|author=Winslett, Ryan|date=March 21, 2018|url=www.cinemablend.com/games/2391161/microsoft-is-willing-to-put-banjo-in-smash-bros|title=Microsoft Is Willing To Put Banjo In Smash Bros.|language=en|publisher=Cinemablend|accessdate=May 11, 2024}}</ref>
====Classic Mode route====
Banjo & Kazooie's Classic Mode route pits them against fighters that work as a team. Their final bosses are Master Hand and Crazy Hand, who both work as a team and are fought in any difficulty.
{|class="wikitable"style="margin:auto;"
!colspan="5"|Perfect Partners
|-
!width=20px|Round
!width=200px|Opponent(s)
!width=150px|Stage
!width=300px|Song
|-
!1
|[[Duck Hunt (character)|Duck Hunt]] (brown/red costume)
|[[Spiral Mountain]]
|Main Theme - Banjo-Kazooie
|-
!2
|[[Rosalina]] & [[Luma]]
|[[Tortimer Island]]
|Treasure Trove Cove
|-
!3
|[[Ice Climbers]]
|[[Summit]]
|Freezeezy Peak
|-
!4
|[[Link]], [[Zelda]]
|[[Mushroomy Kingdom]]
|Gobi's Valley
|-
!5
|[[Fox]] (dark costume), [[Falco Lombardi|Falco]] (dark costume)
|[[Luigi's Mansion (stage)|Luigi's Mansion]]
|Mad Monster Mansion
|-
!6
|[[Donkey Kong]], [[Diddy Kong]]
|[[Jungle Japes (stage)|Jungle Japes]]
|Donkey Kong Country Returns
|-
|-
!width=50%| Title
!Final
!width=20%| Description
|[[Master Hand]], [[Crazy Hand]]
!width=20%| Release Date
|[[Final Destination]]
!width=10%| System/Format
|Master Hand / Crazy Hand
|}
{{br}}
 
===Unused appearances===
====''Donkey Kong 64''====
[[File:BanjoKazooieTreehouse.jpg|frame|150px|right|Banjo and Kazooie's cameo in an early build of ''Donkey Kong 64'']]
Both Banjo and Kazooie made a cameo in [[List of Donkey Kong 64 pre-release and unused content|early versions]] of ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'', but were ultimately cut from the final game. Their faces were going to appear on a shower stall in [[DK's Tree House]].
 
==Profiles and statistics==
===''Diddy Kong Racing''===
*'''Character stats'''
**'''Weight:''' Heavy
**'''Acceleration:''' 2/5
**'''Handling:''' 2/5
**'''Speed:''' 3.5/5
**'''Color:''' Turquoise
*'''Instruction booklet bio:''' "''(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.''"<ref>{{cite|title=''Diddy Kong Racing'' manual|page=24|date=1997|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=American English}}</ref>
*'''[[Nintendo Power#Player's Guides|Player's Guide]]:''' "''When Squawks brought Diddy’s call for help, Banjo didn’t hestitate—he strapped on his trusty backpack and hit the road immediately. He has also agreed to take on a totally different adventure with his partner, Kazooie, so this busy bear will have a lot to keep him occupied for some time to come.''"<ref>{{cite|title=''Diddy Kong Racing'' Player's Guide|page=7|date=1997|publisher=Nintendo of America|author=Swan, Leslie|language=American English}}</ref>
*'''''[[Nintendo Power]]'' Volume 103:''' "''Like Conker, Banjo is sort of hanging out on Timber’s Island while his own game gets polished for release. The happy-go-lucky honey bear has good handling for a heavy guy, but his acceleration is what you would expect from a bear. On the other hand, Banjo has excellent top-end speed for straightaways.''"<ref>{{cite|title=''Nintendo Power'' Volume 103|page=14|date=December 1997|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us}}</ref>
*'''Diddy's Drivers Ed''': "''Banjo is another heavyweight racer, but his acceleration and handling are acceptable. He's a great choice for piloting a hovercraft. In many instances, Banjo will have to use the sharp turn technique to take corners cleanly.''"<ref>{{cite|archive=web.archive.org/web/19981206065714/http://www.dkr.com/driversed.html|title=Diddy's Driver Ed|publisher=Nintendo of America}}</ref>
*'''''Nintendo 64 Game Secrets, 1999 Edition'' [[Prima Games|Prima]]'s Official Strategy Guide:''' "''Banjo is one of the harder characters to control, and his acceleration is low. Of course, his heavier weight also means that, once he builds up some momentum, his top speed is second only to Krunch. On a tightly turning course, however, there’s little chance for his extra speed to come into play: He’s always in the process of accelerating, and then skidding through the next turn.''"<ref>{{cite|date=April 7, 1999|title=''Nintendo 64 Game Secrets, 1999 Edition Prima's Official Strategy Guide''|publisher=[[Prima Games]]|isbn=0-7615-2103-7|page=37}}</ref>
*'''Rarewhere''': "''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, the Honey Bear stuffs a few things into his trusty backpack and takes to his heels.''"<ref>{{cite|deadlink=y|archive=web.archive.org/web/19990902205540/http://www.rareware.com/recent/games/racing/castlist/cast_banjo.html|language=en-gb|title=DKR Cast List {{!}} Banjo|publisher=Rarewhere|accessdate=May 11, 2024}}</ref>
 
===''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''===
{{spirit
|no=1337
|name=Banjo & Kazooie
|image=[[File:SSBU Banjo and Kazooie Spirit.png|x100px]]
|series=''{{wp|Banjo-Kazooie}}'' Series
|type=Fighter
|obtain=Classic Mode as Banjo & Kazooie
}}
*'''Official website:''' ''The missing piece of the puzzle is found as Banjo & Kazooie join Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a playable fighter! With Banjo’s bare hands to bruise rivals up close and Kazooie’s egg-cellent shooting skills, your rivals will be singing the blues in no time. For their Final Smash, these perfect partners call upon a flock of Jinjos and the Mighty Jinjonator to deal the final blow to any “feeble jerk” that may stand in their way!''
====Palutena's Guidance====
Banjo & Kazooie share this stock conversation with all other Fighters Pass characters. It was originally used for [[smashwiki:Mewtwo (SSBU)|Mewtwo]], [[smashwiki:Lucas (SSBU)|Lucas]], [[smashwiki:Roy (SSBU)|Roy]], [[smashwiki:Ryu (SSBU)|Ryu]], [[smashwiki:Cloud (SSBU)|Cloud]], [[smashwiki:Corrin (SSBU)|Corrin]], and [[smashwiki:Bayonetta (SSBU)|Bayonetta]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'', who are downloadable fighters in that game.
*'''[[Pit (character)|Pit]]:''' Who is THAT?
*'''[[smashwiki:Palutena (SSBU)|Palutena]]:''' I have no data on this fighter. I can't believe it!
*'''[[List of Palutena's Guidance conversations|Viridi]]:''' It must be an intruder from another dimension!
*'''Pit:''' Whoever it is, the goal remains the same: to fight and win!
 
==List of ''Super Mario'' appearances==
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Title!!Role!!Release!!System
|-
|-
|''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]
|''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]''
|Playable Character
|Playable character
|1997
|1997
|[[Nintendo 64]]
|[[Nintendo 64]]
|-
|-
|''[[Mario Artist: Paint Studio]]
|''[[Mario Artist: Paint Studio]]''
|His artwork from ''Diddy Kong Racing'' appears
|Character stamps
|1999
|1999
|[[Nintendo 64DD]]
|[[Nintendo 64DD]]
|-
|-
|''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''
|Playable character via DLC
|2019
|Nintendo Switch
|}
|}


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery perrow=5>
{{main-gallery}}
File:Carbanjo.png|''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]''
<gallery>
File:Banjowithflag.png|''Diddy Kong Racing''
Club Nintendo N-Gang.jpg|"N-Gang vs. Nintendo"
File:Banjo0.png|''Diddy Kong Racing''
BanjoDKRJP.png|''Diddy Kong Racing'' Japanese commercial
File:BanjoDKR.png|''Diddy Kong Racing''
BKMarioArtist.jpg|''[[Mario Artist: Paint Studio]]''
File:BanjoHeadRender.jpg|''Banjo-Kazooie''
Banjouken.png|''[[Mario no Bōken Land]]''
File:Bkn64 small.jpg|''Banjo-Kazooie''
Banjo4Koma.jpg|''[[4koma Gag Battle]]''
File:Bkinstruments.jpg|''Banjo-Kazooie''
File:Secrets small.jpg|''Banjo-Kazooie''
File:Banjorunning.jpg|''Banjo-Tooie''
</gallery>
</gallery>
==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names
|Jap=バンジョー
|JapR=Banjō
|JapM=According to [[Gregg Mayles]], Banjo's name is based on the name of Banjō Yamauchi ({{ruby|山|やま}}{{ruby|内|うち}}{{ruby|万|ばん}}{{ruby|丈|じょう}}), [[Hiroshi Yamauchi]]'s grandson; both names have the exact same pronunciation.
|Spa=Banjo
|Fre=Banjo
|Ger=Banjo
|Ita=Banjo
|Rus=Банджо
|RusR=Bandzho
|RusM=Banjo
|Kor=반조
|KorR=Banjo
|KorM=Banjo
|Chi=班卓
|ChiR=Bānzhuō
|Chi2=阿邦 (''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'')
|Chi2R=Ābāng
|ChiM=Banjo
|Chi2M=In Chinese, adding an 「阿」 in front of a given name makes it a diminutive form.
}}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*In the beta version of ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'', Banjo made a cameo appearance. A magnet on [[Donkey Kong]]'s shower stall in [[Donkey Kong's Treehouse]] featured Banjo and Kazooie's faces. However, in the final release of the title, Rareware removed the shower stall and cameo appearance.
[[File:DK in Banjo Kazooie.gif|200px|thumb|Donkey Kong's portrait in a prototype version of ''Banjo-Kazooie''.]]
*In the [[Nintendo DS]] remake of ''Diddy Kong Racing'', ''[[Diddy Kong Racing DS]]'', Rare, Ltd. elected to replace Banjo with [[Tiny Kong]] and [[Conker]] with [[Dixie Kong]] due to Rare moving to Microsoft. The company chose Tiny Kong for the role, making her a heavyweight who could conceivably have the same racing abilities as Banjo. However, the team elected not to change or remove either character's theme song: Banjo's signature banjo music can still be heard both in the introduction and on the character selection screen.
*A portrait of [[Donkey Kong]] appeared in prototype versions of ''Banjo-Kazooie''.<ref>{{cite|author=TCRF contributors|title=[[tcrf:Prerelease:Banjo-Kazooie|Prerelease:Banjo-Kazooie]]|publisher=The Cutting Room Floor|accessdate=May 12, 2024}}</ref>
*Artwork of Banjo can be used in ''[[Mario Artist: Paint Studio]]'', like some other ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'' characters.
{{br}}
 
==External links==
*{{iw|jiggywikki|Banjo}} on Jiggywikki


<br clear=all>
==References==
{{NIWA|DKWiki=1}}
{{NIWA|SmashWiki=1}}
{{Wikipedia|Banjo & Kazooie|Banjo}}
<references/>
{{Crossover characters}}
{{DKR}}
{{DKR}}
[[Category:Donkey Kong Characters]]
{{SSBU}}
[[Category:Playable Characters]]
[[Category:Bears]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Allies]]
[[Category:3rd Party Characters]]
[[Category:Siblings]]
[[Category:Siblings]]
[[Category:Club Nintendo]]
[[Category:Playable characters]]
[[Category:Third-party characters]]
[[Category:Downloadable content]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong allies]]
[[Category:Diddy Kong Racing characters]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. Ultimate fighters]]
[[de:Banjo]]
[[it:Banjo]]

Latest revision as of 13:17, December 22, 2024

Banjo
Banjo holds a checkered flag in Diddy Kong Racing
Artwork from Diddy Kong Racing
Full name Banjo the bear[1]
Species Honey Bear[2][3]
First appearance Diddy Kong Racing (1997, overall)
Banjo-Kazooie (1998, home series)
Latest appearance Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Challenger Pack 3) (2019)
Portrayed by Chris Sutherland (1997–present)[4][5]
“I'm Banjo!”
—Banjo, Diddy Kong Racing

Banjo is one of the two protagonists of former Nintendo partner Rare's Banjo-Kazooie series, along with his best friend, Kazooie. He is characterized as a honey bear with light-brown fur, tan skin, blue eyes, and a black nose, and he wears a shark-tooth necklace, yellow shorts, and a blue backpack that houses Kazooie. Banjo made his debut, both overall and in the Super Mario franchise, as a playable character in Diddy Kong Racing, and he and his series were owned by Nintendo up until the acquisition of Rare by Microsoft in 2002, with Banjo characters making some appearances in the Mario franchise during that period. In exchange for Rare obtaining full rights to Banjo, Nintendo gained full rights to Rare's Donkey Kong additions, such as the various Kong Family members and the Kremlings.

History[edit]

Diddy Kong Racing[edit]

Banjo, as he first appears in Diddy Kong Racing

Banjo incidentally made his first appearance in Diddy Kong Racing. When Wizpig invaded Timber's Island, Timber calls for Diddy Kong's assistance. In turn, he sends Squawks to contact his friends, one of whom is Banjo. All the characters compete in a variety of racing challenges to liberate the island and decide who would race Wizpig. Eventually, the eight racers, with the help of Taj and T.T., drove Wizpig back to his home planet, Future Fun Land. However, Wizpig returns, and the racers go to his homeworld. At the end of the world, the winning character races Wizpig again, who rides on a rocket missile for the rematch. On the character selection screen, Banjo's theme instrument is the banjo. The menu's theme is re-composed in a banjo when the player highlights him. Like the other characters, Banjo says his name when he is selected. As a heavyweight racer, Banjo has slow acceleration, which is compensated for a high top speed (57 MPH without Bananas). His handling is below average but still exceeds Krunch's.

Since Microsoft had direct ownership over Banjo and Conker, both of them do not appear in Diddy Kong Racing DS. Instead, they were replaced with Tiny Kong and Dixie Kong, respectively. Despite this, Banjo's theme instrument was left intact, and it plays both on the character selection and the game's introduction sequence. Banjo's statistics were also retained for Tiny Kong, who was likely redesigned for Banjo's heavyweight feature.

Mario no Bōken Land[edit]

Banjo makes a small, non-speaking cameo in the Diddy Kong Racing story segment of Mario no Bōken Land, titled "Go Go Diddy!". The comic shows him participating in a race with his friends, with him being in sixth place.

4koma Gag Battle[edit]

Banjo appears throughout the 4koma Gag Battle manga adaptation of Diddy Kong Racing. A certain four panel comic provides an explanation for what was in his backpack during Diddy Kong Racing, since Kazooie was absent: the backpack was filled with a beehive full of bees.

N-Gang[edit]

Banjo and Kazooie make a brief cameo at the end of the N-Gang comic "Freeze Frame", where they are seen celebrating alongside many other Nintendo characters.

Banjo appears in the N-Gang comic, "N-Gang vs. Nintendo", where he played on the same soccer camp team with Kazooie, Wario, Yoshi, Princess Peach, Donkey Kong, and Lanky Kong. Mario refereed the match.

Banjo makes an appearance in the N-Gang comic "Die Hexe lacht um Mitternacht". After Gruntilda transformed Toni and VIP into hot dogs and leaves to reek havoc into the city, Big B. and Gecko arrives and devise a plan to defeat Gruntilda. They then use VIP's machine to bring Banjo into the real world, and then launches eggs at the witch to defeat her. After that, they all celebrate.

Mario Artist: Paint Studio[edit]

Banjo appears in some of the character stamps in Mario Artist: Paint Studio, along with other characters from Diddy Kong Racing and Banjo-Kazooie.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

BanjoKazooieEmblem.png
Super Smash Bros. fighter
Banjo & Kazooie
Banjo & Kazooie artwork for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Game appearances
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (downloadable)
Special moves
Neutral:  Egg Firing / Breegull Blaster
Side:  Wonderwing
Up:  Shock Spring Jump
Down:  Rear Egg
Final Smash:  The Mighty Jinjonator
Battle entrance
Banjo appears from a Jiggy-shaped portal with Kazooie, bowing.
SmashWiki article: Banjo & Kazooie (SSBU)

Banjo, alongside Kazooie and the heroes of Dragon Quest, were announced as playable fighters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate during the E3 2019 Nintendo Direct on June 11 (PDT). Banjo & Kazooie were released on September 4, 2019 (PDT) as part of Challenger Pack 3. The duo's moveset and appearances are directly pulled from their first two games, Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie, though they also sport a few original attacks. Spiral Mountain, the location of their home, serves as the representation for their stage. Regarding weight, Banjo & Kazooie are collectively a heavyweight, being heavier than Link, Yoshi, Captain Falcon, Mii Gunner, and Min Min, but lighter than Wario, Ike, Ridley, Simon, and Richter, while having the same weight as Snake and R.O.B. Their special moves are Egg Firing / Breegull Blaster, Wonderwing, Shock Spring Jump, and Rear Egg and their Final Smash is The Mighty Jinjonator.

The reveal trailer for the duo heavily references King K. Rool's original reveal trailer, with Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, and King K. Rool looking outside the window of DK's tree house and seeing a silhouette of Banjo & Kazooie. It is then revealed to be Duck Hunt playing a prank, much like how the K. Rool reveal trailer had King Dedede pretending to be King K. Rool. Banjo & Kazooie then appear from the sky and knock Duck Hunt out of frame, with Banjo holding his namesake instrument.

Prior to Banjo's inclusion in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, he and Kazooie were among the most requested Super Smash Bros. characters of all time. A Rare employee wrote on their website back in 2009, that although they had not been considered for Super Smash Bros., many Rare franchise trophies were originally in Super Smash Bros. Melee.[6] Vice President of Microsoft's gaming division, Phil Spencer, made a Tweet in 2015, stating "it would be cool" to see Banjo and Kazooie appear as DLC fighters in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.[7] He doubled down on the comments in 2018, a year before Banjo and Kazooie's reveal in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.[8]

Classic Mode route[edit]

Banjo & Kazooie's Classic Mode route pits them against fighters that work as a team. Their final bosses are Master Hand and Crazy Hand, who both work as a team and are fought in any difficulty.

Perfect Partners
Round Opponent(s) Stage Song
1 Duck Hunt (brown/red costume) Spiral Mountain Main Theme - Banjo-Kazooie
2 Rosalina & Luma Tortimer Island Treasure Trove Cove
3 Ice Climbers Summit Freezeezy Peak
4 Link, Zelda Mushroomy Kingdom Gobi's Valley
5 Fox (dark costume), Falco (dark costume) Luigi's Mansion Mad Monster Mansion
6 Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong Jungle Japes Donkey Kong Country Returns
Final Master Hand, Crazy Hand Final Destination Master Hand / Crazy Hand

Unused appearances[edit]

Donkey Kong 64[edit]

The Banjo and Kazooie poster originally found in DK's Tree House in Donkey Kong 64.
Banjo and Kazooie's cameo in an early build of Donkey Kong 64

Both Banjo and Kazooie made a cameo in early versions of Donkey Kong 64, but were ultimately cut from the final game. Their faces were going to appear on a shower stall in DK's Tree House.

Profiles and statistics[edit]

Diddy Kong Racing[edit]

  • Character stats
    • Weight: Heavy
    • Acceleration: 2/5
    • Handling: 2/5
    • Speed: 3.5/5
    • Color: Turquoise
  • Instruction booklet bio: "(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."[9]
  • Player's Guide: "When Squawks brought Diddy’s call for help, Banjo didn’t hestitate—he strapped on his trusty backpack and hit the road immediately. He has also agreed to take on a totally different adventure with his partner, Kazooie, so this busy bear will have a lot to keep him occupied for some time to come."[10]
  • Nintendo Power Volume 103: "Like Conker, Banjo is sort of hanging out on Timber’s Island while his own game gets polished for release. The happy-go-lucky honey bear has good handling for a heavy guy, but his acceleration is what you would expect from a bear. On the other hand, Banjo has excellent top-end speed for straightaways."[11]
  • Diddy's Drivers Ed: "Banjo is another heavyweight racer, but his acceleration and handling are acceptable. He's a great choice for piloting a hovercraft. In many instances, Banjo will have to use the sharp turn technique to take corners cleanly."[12]
  • Nintendo 64 Game Secrets, 1999 Edition Prima's Official Strategy Guide: "Banjo is one of the harder characters to control, and his acceleration is low. Of course, his heavier weight also means that, once he builds up some momentum, his top speed is second only to Krunch. On a tightly turning course, however, there’s little chance for his extra speed to come into play: He’s always in the process of accelerating, and then skidding through the next turn."[13]
  • Rarewhere: "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, the Honey Bear stuffs a few things into his trusty backpack and takes to his heels."[14]

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

Spirit
#1337 Banjo & Kazooie
Banjo & Kazooie spirit from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Series/game Banjo-Kazooie Series
Type Fighter
How to obtain Classic Mode as Banjo & Kazooie
  • Official website: The missing piece of the puzzle is found as Banjo & Kazooie join Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a playable fighter! With Banjo’s bare hands to bruise rivals up close and Kazooie’s egg-cellent shooting skills, your rivals will be singing the blues in no time. For their Final Smash, these perfect partners call upon a flock of Jinjos and the Mighty Jinjonator to deal the final blow to any “feeble jerk” that may stand in their way!

Palutena's Guidance[edit]

Banjo & Kazooie share this stock conversation with all other Fighters Pass characters. It was originally used for Mewtwo, Lucas, Roy, Ryu, Cloud, Corrin, and Bayonetta in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, who are downloadable fighters in that game.

  • Pit: Who is THAT?
  • Palutena: I have no data on this fighter. I can't believe it!
  • Viridi: It must be an intruder from another dimension!
  • Pit: Whoever it is, the goal remains the same: to fight and win!

List of Super Mario appearances[edit]

Title Role Release System
Diddy Kong Racing Playable character 1997 Nintendo 64
Mario Artist: Paint Studio Character stamps 1999 Nintendo 64DD
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Playable character via DLC 2019 Nintendo Switch

Gallery[edit]

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

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese バンジョー[?]
Banjō 		According to Gregg Mayles, Banjo's name is based on the name of Banjō Yamauchi (山やま内うち万ばん丈じょう), Hiroshi Yamauchi's grandson; both names have the exact same pronunciation.
Chinese 班卓[?]
Bānzhuō 		Banjo
阿邦 (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate)[?]
Ābāng 		In Chinese, adding an 「阿」 in front of a given name makes it a diminutive form.
French Banjo[?] -
German Banjo[?] -
Italian Banjo[?] -
Korean 반조[?]
Banjo 		Banjo
Russian Банджо[?]
Bandzho 		Banjo
Spanish Banjo[?] -

Trivia[edit]

DK's portrait in Banjo-Kazooie.
Donkey Kong's portrait in a prototype version of Banjo-Kazooie.
  • A portrait of Donkey Kong appeared in prototype versions of Banjo-Kazooie.[15]

External links[edit]

References[edit]

Banjo coverage on other NIWA wikis:
The English Wikipedia logo, for use on the Wikipedia template. Wikipedia has an article on Banjo.
  1. ^ Diddy Kong Racing. Nintendo of Australia. Archived February 18, 1999, 06:05:58 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine.
  2. ^ Banjo-Kazooie | Nintendo 64 | Games | Nintendo. Nintendo of UK (British English). Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  3. ^ Rareware (1997). Diddy Kong Racing instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 24.
  4. ^ Christopher Niosi. Talkin' Rare & Playtonic Games w/ Chris Sutherland (feat. Shadyvox) - Kirblog 6/17/17 (00:06:37). YouTube (English). Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  5. ^ Credited in the sound test menu in the Japanese version of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
  6. ^ Lerako (September 18, 2009). Rare Scribes. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  7. ^ Campbell, Evan (April 3, 2015). Xbox Head Xbox Head Phil Spencer Says 'It Would Be Cool' to See Banjo in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. IGN. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  8. ^ Winslett, Ryan (March 21, 2018). Microsoft Is Willing To Put Banjo In Smash Bros.. Cinemablend (English). Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  9. ^ 1997. Diddy Kong Racing manual. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 24.
  10. ^ Swan, Leslie (1997). Diddy Kong Racing Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 7.
  11. ^ December 1997. Nintendo Power Volume 103. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 14.
  12. ^ Diddy's Driver Ed. Nintendo of America. (Archived December 6, 1998, 06:57:14 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
  13. ^ April 7, 1999. Nintendo 64 Game Secrets, 1999 Edition Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Prima Games. ISBN 0-7615-2103-7. Page 37.
  14. ^ DKR Cast List | Banjo. Rarewhere (British English). Archived September 2, 1999, 20:55:40 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  15. ^ TCRF contributors. Prerelease:Banjo-Kazooie. The Cutting Room Floor. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
[Edit]
Crossover characters
Nintendo
series		 Animal Crossing Isabelle • Mr. Resetti • Snowboy • Villager
Game & Watch Mr. Game & Watch • Octopus
Kirby Kirby • Whispy Woods
The Legend of Zelda Deku Baba • Keese • Link
Other Balloon Fighter • Bubbles • Cicada • Fox • Inkling • Mad Scienstein • Mii • Nintendog • Pikmin • R.O.B. • Samus
Third-party series Banjo-Kazooie Banjo • Bottles • Kazooie • Tiptup
Bomberman Bomberman • Cup King • Gururin Knight • Mad-Bomber • Madbomber • P-Flower • Pukupuku • T-Bear • Thunder Cloud • Top Man
Dragon Quest Alena • Angelo • Bianca • Carver • Dragonlord • Goodybag • Healslime • Jessica • Kiryl • Mimic • Patty • Princessa • Slime • Stella • Yangus
Final Fantasy Behemoth • Behemoth King • Black Mage • Bomb • Cactuar • Malboro • Moogle • Ninja • White Mage
Mega Man Dr. Light • Dr. Wily • Mega Man
PAC-MAN Blinky • Fairy • Ms. Pac-Man • Pac-Man • Petit Monster
Qix Fuse • Sparx
Rayman Rabbid • Rayman
Sonic the Hedgehog Amy • Animals • Big • Blaze • Chao • Chaos • Charmy • Cheese • Cream • Dr. Eggman • Egg Flapper • Egg Pawn • Eggman Nega • Eggrobo • Espio • Froggy • Gola • Jet • Kiki • Knuckles • Mecha Sonic • Metal Sonic • Omega • Omochao • Orbot & Cubot • Rouge • Shadow • Silver • Sonic • Spinner • Sticks • Tails • Vector • Wave • Zavok • Zazz
Street Fighter Blanka • Chun-Li • Dhalsim • Zangief
Other Chuckie • Conker • Don-chan • Elvira • Erik, Baleog and Olaf • Inspector Gadget • Joe and Mac • Kid Klown • King Kong • Mametchi • Netty • Plok • Pooka • Tamadra
The above characters and species pertain to other media franchises, but make at least one appearance within the Super Mario franchise that is playable, interactable, or plot-relevant.
[Edit]
Diddy Kong Racing / Diddy Kong Racing DS
Playable characters Diddy Kong • Krunch • Drumstick • Bumper • Tiptup • T.T. • Pipsy • Timber • Banjoa • Conkera • Tiny Kongb • Dixie Kongb • Tajb • Wizpigb
Vehicles Car • Plane • Hovercraft
Bosses Tricky • Bluey • Bubbler • Smokey • Wizpig
Worlds Dino Domain • Snowflake Mountain • Sherbet Island • Dragon Forest • Future Fun Land • DK Islandb
Tracks Ancient Lake • Fossil Canyon • Jungle Falls • Hot Top Volcano • Everfrost Peak • Walrus Cove • Snowball Valley • Frosty Village • Whale Bay • Crescent Island • Pirate Lagoon • Treasure Caves • Windmill Plains • Greenwood Village • Boulder Canyon • Haunted Woods • Spacedust Alley • Darkmoon Caverns • Spaceport Alpha • Star City • Thunder Coveb • Meandering Mountb • Splashdown Passb • Strangled Shrineb
Boss tracks Tricky Challenge • Bluey Challenge • Bubbler Challenge • Smokey Challenge • Wizpig's First Strike • Wizpig Strikes Back
Challenge levels Fire Mountain • Icicle Pyramid • Darkwater Beach • Smokey Castle
Items & objects Bananaa • Coinb • Discovery Cardb • Golden Balloon • Power-Up Tokenb • Silver Coin • Taj Tokenb • Tree • T.T. amulet • Weapon Balloon • Wish Key • Wizpig amulet • Zipper
Other Gallery (N64 · DS) • Glitches • Media • Quotes • Timber's Balloon Pop • Trophy Race • Wish Race
a Exclusive to Diddy Kong Racing
[Edit]
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Playable fighters Banjo & Kazooie (DLC) • Bowser • Bowser Jr. / Koopalings (Larry · Morton · Wendy · Iggy · Roy · Lemmy · Ludwig) • Daisy • Diddy Kong • Donkey Kong • Dr. Mario • Fox • Inkling • Isabelle • King K. Rool • Kirby • Link • Luigi • Mario • Mega Man • Mii Fighter • Mr. Game & Watch • Pac-Man • Peach • Piranha Plant (DLC) • R.O.B. • Rosalina & Luma • Samus • Sonic • Villager • Wario • Yoshi • Others
Assist Trophy characters Ashley • Bomberman • Chain Chomp • Flies & Hand • Hammer Bro • Klaptrap • Knuckles • Nintendog • Shadow • Thwomp • Waluigi • Wily Capsule
Bosses Giant Donkey Kong • Giga Bowser • Metal Mario
Stages 3D Land • 75 m • Delfino Plaza • Figure-8 Circuit • Gamer • Golden Plains • Hyrule Castle • Jungle Japes • Kongo Falls • Kongo Jungle • Luigi's Mansion • Mario Bros. • Mario Circuit (Wii U) • Mario Galaxy • Mushroom Kingdom (64) • Mushroom Kingdom II • Mushroom Kingdom U • Mushroomy Kingdom • New Donk City Hall • Paper Mario • Peach's Castle (64) • Princess Peach's Castle (Melee) • Rainbow Cruise • Super Happy Tree • Super Mario Maker • WarioWare, Inc. • Wrecking Crew • Wuhu Island • Yoshi's Island (Brawl) • Yoshi's Island (Melee) • Yoshi's Story • Others
Items Assist Trophy • Banana Gun • Banana Peel • Barrel • Beehive • Bob-omb • Boomerang • Bullet Bill • Crate • Fire Bar • Fire Flower • Freezie • Golden Hammer • Grass • Green Shell • Hammer • Hothead • Lightning • Metal Box • Party Ball • Poison Mushroom • POW Block • Soccer Ball • Spiny Shell • Star Rod • Super Launch Star • Super Leaf • Super Mushroom • Super Scope
Moves Miscellaneous Jump • Taunt
Special Standard Up Side Down Final Smash
Mario Fireball Super Jump Punch Cape F.L.U.D.D. Mario Finale
Dr. Mario Megavitamins Super Sheet Dr. Tornado Doctor Finale
Luigi Green Fireball Green Missile Luigi Cyclone Poltergust G-00
Donkey Kong Giant Punch Spinning Kong Headbutt Hand Slap Jungle Rush
Yoshi Egg Lay Egg Throw Egg Roll Yoshi Bomb Stampede!
Bowser Fire Breath Whirling Fortress Flying Slam Bowser Bomb Giga Bowser Punch
Peach Toad Peach Parasol Peach Bomber Vegetable Peach Blossom
Daisy Daisy Parasol Daisy Bomber Daisy Blossom
Wario Chomp Corkscrew Wario Bike Wario Waft Wario-Man
Diddy Kong Peanut Popgun Rocketbarrel Boost Monkey Flip Banana Peel Hyper Rocketbarrel
Rosalina & Luma Luma Shot Launch Star Star Bits Gravitational Pull Grand Star
Bowser Jr. Clown Cannon Abandon Ship Clown Kart Dash Mechakoopa Shadow Mario Paint
King K. Rool Blunderbuss Propellerpack Crownerang Gut Check Blast-o-Matic
Piranha Plant Ptooie Piranhacopter Poison Breath Long-Stem Strike Petey Piranha
Other Assist Trophy characters • Break Free (Lead the Way) • Challenges • Final Smashes • Jump Up, Super Star! • Palutena's Guidance • Pre-release and unused content • Quotes • Smash Taunt characters • Snake's codec conversations • Sound test • Spirits (1–500 · 501–1000 · 1001–1500 · 1501–1513) • Staff
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