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{{articleabout|Banjo the Honey Bear|his series|[[Banjo (series)]]}}
{{character infobox
{{LLquote|I'm Banjo!|[[Banjo]]|[[Diddy Kong Racing]]}}
|image=[[File:Banjo DKR art.jpg|200px]]<br>Artwork from ''Diddy Kong Racing''
{{character-infobox
|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>
|image=[[Image:banjobear.jpg{{!}}215px]]<br>'''Banjo''' in his trademark yellow shorts.
|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>
|full_name=Banjo the Honey Bear
|first_appearance=''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'' ([[List of games by date#1997|1997]], overall)<br>''{{wp|Banjo-Kazooie (video game)|Banjo-Kazooie}}'' (1998, home series)
|first_appearance=''[[Banjo-Kazooie]]'' (''Banjo'' series)<br>''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'' (''Mario'' series)''
|latest_appearance=''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' (Challenger Pack 3) (2019)
|affiliation=[[Diddy Kong]], [[Kazooie]], [[Tooty]], [[Bottles]], [[Jinjo]]
|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>
|species=Honey Bear
|latest_appearance=''[[Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts]]'' (''Banjo'' series)
}}
}}
 
{{quote|I'm Banjo!|[[Banjo]]|[[Diddy Kong Racing]]}}
'''Banjo the Honey Bear''' is the lazy yet well-meaning protagonist of the [[Banjo (series)|''Banjo'' 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]]''.
'''{{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.
 
==History==
==History==
=== ''Diddy Kong Racing'' ===
===''Diddy Kong Racing''===
[[image:Carbanjo.jpg|thumb|left|'''Banjo''' in his [[car]].]]
[[File:Carbanjo.png|thumb|left|Banjo, as he first appears in ''Diddy Kong Racing'']]
Banjo is one of 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]] 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 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, concurred 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.
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.


===''Banjo'' series===
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.
==== ''Banjo-Kazooie'' ====
Banjo got his own adventure in ''[[Banjo-Kazooie]]''. In this game he is shown to have a house in [[Spiral Mountain]], a sister named [[Tooty]], a friend who lives in his backpack called [[Kazooie]], and a neighbor named [[Bottles]]. [[Gruntilda]] the Witch, who lives in another part of Banjo's world, is jealous of Tooty because she is "The Fairest Of All", so she swoops in on her Broomstick and kidnaps her. Banjo and Kazooie head off to rescue her, making Tooty the "damsel-in-distress" of the game. Eventually, Banjo and Kazooie are able to save Tooty, with the help of numerous friends they met along the way. They push Gruntilda off the mountain, and she falls to the ground creating a Grunty shaped hole. A rock then falls in the hole, supposedly sealing her in forever.


==== ''Banjo-Tooie'' ====
===''Mario no Bōken Land''===
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.


In the beginning of ''[[Banjo-Tooie]]'', Banjo is playing cards with [[Kazooie]], [[Mumbo Jumbo]], and [[Bottles]]. Unknown to them, Gruntilda's sisters had arrived and had revived his archenemy. Gruntilda is quick to take her revenge, destroying Banjo's house and killing Bottles. Banjo and Kazooie set out to avenge him, and meet [[King Jingaling]], who tells them that he will help them defeat the witch. He shows them the way to [[Jiggywiggy's Temple]], but is turned into a zombie by the witches for this deed. Meanwhile, Banjo and Kazooie reach, the temple and talk to [[Jiggywiggy]]. He tells them that if they bring him [[Jiggy]]s, he can activate the power of the [[Crystal Jiggy]], and open pathways for them. Thus the duo start out on a quest to collect Jiggys. Eventually Banjo collects enough to reach Gruntilda's castle, and make their way to the top. He takes control of the witches' [[Big 'O' Blaster]] (or B.O.B.), and restores true life to Bottles and the King Jingaling. He then preceded to the roof for the final stand-off with Gruntilda. She is defeated yet again, and Banjo returns to Bottles’ House to celebrate with his friends.  
===''4koma Gag Battle''===
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.


During the adventure, Banjo  learns the ability [[Split-Up]], allowing him to go away from Kazooie. In his lone form he can learn the ability [[Pack-Whack]], but cannot glide or shoot [[Blue Egg|eggs]].
===''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-Kazooie: Gruntys Revenge'' ====
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 is called into action once again ''[[Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge]]'', a game which takes place after ''Banjo-Kazooie'', but before ''Banjo-Tooie''. After Kazooie is kidnapped by a time-travelling [[Klungo]] and [[Gruntilda]], whose soul now inhabits a robotic body ("[[Mecha-Grunty]]"), Banjo has to chase the duo back through time to get his pal back and stop Grunty from mucking around with history.
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.


In the end Grunty is defeated once again when her robotic body gets disassembled and forced back underground. After beating their archenemy once again, Banjo and Kazooie went home for some relaxation.
===''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''.


==== ''Banjo-Pilot'' ====
===''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''===
 
{{SSB fighter infobox
Banjo gets his own racing title, ''[[Banjo-Pilot]]'', a game originally called ''[[Diddy Kong Pilot]]''. Banjo is the main character and default racer of this game.
|color=purple
 
|align=right
==== ''Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts'' ====
|title=Banjo & Kazooie
Banjo returned in ''[[Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts]]''. This game is set long after the events of ''Banjo-Tooie'', and since then he and Kazooie have gotten fat and out of shape. One day while sitting outside with Kazooie (who now is so fat she cannot even leave Banjo's backpack), Gruntilda's decapitated head appears and challenges Banjo to a fight. Just as the fight begins, the game pauses with both Banjo and Grunty in mid-air. The two have been paused by the [[Lord of Games]]. He tells Banjo and Grunty that they are second-rate video game characters who haven't been in nearly as many games as [[Mario]].  The Lord of Games then offers Banjo and Gruntilda the opportunity to settle things once and for all. Banjo simply has to go on another quest to collect [[Jiggy|Jiggies]] in the game worlds in [[Showdown Town]].  During this adventure, Banjo learns to build and drive various vehicles, and eventually defeats Gruntilda at Spiral Mountain.
|emblem=BanjoKazooieEmblem.png
 
|image=BanjoKazooie SSBU.png
===''N-Gang''===
|games=''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' (downloadable)
===="N-Gang vs. Nintendo"====
|standard=Egg Firing / Breegull Blaster
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.
|side=Wonderwing
 
|up=Shock Spring Jump
== Physical Appearance ==
|down=Rear Egg
 
|final=The Mighty Jinjonator
Banjo has had a virtually unchanged appearance since ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]''. He has light-brown fur, yellow shorts and a blue backpack. Oddly, he always keeps the shorts and backpack, even when he is transformed into one of [[Mumbo Jumbo]]'s or [[Humba Wumba]]'s special forms.
|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]].


== Personality ==
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.


Banjo is usually portrayed as an easy-going character. He is much more polite than his side-kick Kazooie.
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====
== Game Appearances ==
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=sortable cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 border=1 align=center width=100% style="border-collapse:collapse; font-family:Arial"
{|class="wikitable"style="margin:auto;"
!colspan="5"|Perfect Partners
|-
|-
! width=50% | Title
!width=20px|Round
! width=20% | Description
!width=200px|Opponent(s)
! width=20% | Release Date
!width=150px|Stage
! width=10% | System/Format
!width=300px|Song
|-
|-
| ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]''
!1
| Playable Character   
|[[Duck Hunt (character)|Duck Hunt]] (brown/red costume)
| 1997
|[[Spiral Mountain]]
| [[Nintendo 64]]
|Main Theme - Banjo-Kazooie
|-
|-
| ''Banjo-Kazooie''
!2
| Playable Character
|[[Rosalina]] & [[Luma]]
| 1998
|[[Tortimer Island]]
| [[Nintendo 64]]
|Treasure Trove Cove
|-
|-
| ''[[Mario Artist: Paint Studio]]''
!3
| His artwork from ''Diddy Kong Racing'' appears
|[[Ice Climbers]]
| 1999
|[[Summit]]
| [[Nintendo 64DD]]
|Freezeezy Peak
|-
|-
| ''Banjo-Tooie''
!4
| Playable Character
|[[Link]], [[Zelda]]
| 2000
|[[Mushroomy Kingdom]]
| [[Nintendo 64]]
|Gobi's Valley
|-
|-
| ''Conker's Bad Fur Day''
!5
| Cameo as mounted and stuffed head.
|[[Fox]] (dark costume), [[Falco Lombardi|Falco]] (dark costume)
| 2001
|[[Luigi's Mansion (stage)|Luigi's Mansion]]
| [[Nintendo 64]]
|Mad Monster Mansion
|-
|-
| ''Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge''
!6
| Plyable Character
|[[Donkey Kong]], [[Diddy Kong]]
| 2003
|[[Jungle Japes (stage)|Jungle Japes]]
| [[Game Boy Advance]]
|Donkey Kong Country Returns
|-
|-
| ''Grabbed by the Ghoulies''
!Final
| Cameo as artwork from ''Banjo Kazooie'' and a stuffed and mounted monsterised Banjo head.  
|[[Master Hand]], [[Crazy Hand]]
| 2003
|[[Final Destination]]
| Xbox
|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
|-
|-
| ''Banjo-Pilot''
|''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]''
| Playable Character
|Playable character
| 2005
|1997
| [[Game Boy Advance]]
|[[Nintendo 64]]
|-
|-
| ''Conker: Live & Reloaded''  
|''[[Mario Artist: Paint Studio]]''
| Cameo as stuffed and mouted head
|Character stamps
| 2005
|1999
| Xbox
|[[Nintendo 64DD]]
|-
| ''Viva Pinata''
| Cameo as a purchasable Statue, also a bear that shoots out jiggies when attack seems to be based on Banjo.
| 2006
| Xbox 360
|-
| ''Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise''
| Cameo as a purchasable Statue, also a bear that shoots out jiggies when attack seems to be based on Banjo.
| 2008
| Xbox 360
|-
| ''Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise''
| Cameo as a purchasable Statue, also a bear that shoots out jiggies when attack seems to be based on Banjo.
| 2008
| [[Nintendo DS]]
|-
| ''Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts''
| Playable Character
| 2008
| Xbox 360
|-
|-
|''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''
|Playable character via DLC
|2019
|Nintendo Switch
|}
|}


== Trivia ==
==Gallery==
* In the beta version of ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'', Banjo made a cameo appearance.  A magnet on [[Donkey Kong|Donkey Kong's]] shower stall in Donkey Kong's [[Donkey Kong's tree house|tree house]] featured Banjo and Kazooie's faces.  However, in the final release of the title, Rareware opted to remove shower stall and cameo appearance.
{{main-gallery}}
* In the beginning of the games ''[[Conker's Bad Fur Day]]'' and ''[[Conker: Live & Reloaded]]'' Banjo's severed and stuffed head can be seen mounted over a fireplace.
* 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]].  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.
*Artwork of Banjo can be used in ''[[Mario Artist: Paint Studio]]'', like some other ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'' characters.
[[image:Rare_christmas.jpg|thumb|right|Rare's 2007 [[Christmas]] Card.]]
*Banjo appeared in Rare's 2007 [[Christmas]] Card, alongside Kazooie and several characters from ''Viva Pinata''.
== Gallery ==
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:banjobear.jpg|''Banjo-Kazooie''
Club Nintendo N-Gang.jpg|"N-Gang vs. Nintendo"
Image:Banjo0.png|''Diddy Kong Racing''
BanjoDKRJP.png|''Diddy Kong Racing'' Japanese commercial
BKMarioArtist.jpg|''[[Mario Artist: Paint Studio]]''
Banjouken.png|''[[Mario no Bōken Land]]''
Banjo4Koma.jpg|''[[4koma Gag Battle]]''
</gallery>
</gallery>
<br clear=all>
 
==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==
[[File:DK in Banjo Kazooie.gif|200px|thumb|Donkey Kong's portrait in a prototype version of ''Banjo-Kazooie''.]]
*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>
{{br}}
 
==External links==
*{{iw|jiggywikki|Banjo}} on Jiggywikki
 
==References==
{{NIWA|SmashWiki=1}}
{{Wikipedia|Banjo & Kazooie|Banjo}}
<references/>
{{Crossover characters}}
{{DKR}}
{{DKR}}
{{Otherseries}}
{{SSBU}}
 
[[Category:Bears]]
[[Category: Donkey Kong Characters]]
[[Category:Siblings]]
[[Category: Playable Characters]]
[[Category:Club Nintendo]]
[[Category: Donkey Kong Allies]]
[[Category:Playable characters]]
[[Category: 3rd Party Characters]]
[[Category:Third-party characters]]
[[Category: Siblings]]
[[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 15:38, October 31, 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.

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 (やまうちばんじょう), 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]

  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.