Banjo

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Banjo is the lazy yet well-meaning Honey Bear who serves as the fictional protagonist of the Banjo-Kazooie series, in which he and his best friend Kazooie fight the evil witch Gruntilda. Due to delays of the first installment of the Banjo-Kazooie series, Rareware and Nintendo released Diddy Kong Racing prior to Banjo-Kazooie, making Diddy Kong Racing Banjo's first appearance in any series.

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 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.

Video Game Appearances

Diddy Kong Racing Series

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.

According to the instruction booklet, Banjo would later go on to adventure with his friend Kazooie. Presumably, the booklet was referring to Banjo's adventures throughout the Banjo-Kazooie series.

References and Cameos

Donkey Kong Series

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 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. In Banjo-Tooie, a Donkey Kong doll can be seen.

Publication Appearances

N-Gang

N-Gang vs. Nintendo

Banjo later appeared in the N-Gang comic 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.