View source for Banjo

{{character infobox
|image=[[File:Banjo B-T solo artwork.png|200px]]<br>Artwork of Banjo from ''[[Banjo-Tooie]]''
|full_name=Banjo the Bear
|species=Honey Bear
|first_appearance=''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'' (1997)
|latest_appearance=''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' (2018)
|world=[[Spiral Mountain]]
|latest_portrayal=[[Chris Sutherland]]<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20141207230814/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/188055/interviews/banjo-kazooie-nuts-and-bolts-qa/ ComputerAndVideoGames: Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts Q&A] on archive.org</ref>
}}
{{quote|It's [[Toxic Gas Cave|moments like this]] that make adventuring worthwhile...|Banjo|Banjo-Tooie}}

'''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 [[wikipedia:Banjo|banjo]], a musical instrument which he also plays. However, Banjo could possibly be named after former Nintendo president [[wikipedia:Hiroshi Yamauchi|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>

==Physical traits==
{{quote|Is it just me or is your nose square? The fans will hate it, you butt-ugly bear!|[[Gruntilda]]|[[Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts]]}}
Banjo is a brown, stocky honey bear with blue eyes, a large round nose and a bare chest. He is always shown wearing a pair of yellow shorts with a black belt, a shark tooth necklace and a blue backpack, even while under the spell of a transformation. The Rare logo appears on his backpack, as shown in various artworks.

In ''Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts'', Banjo was redesigned to have a more block-shaped appearance, and his fur became animated. His backpack's design was also overhauled, now opening with a zipper across the top, and having stitches. This design was worked on by [[Ryan Stevenson]], alongside [[Steve Mayles]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/Res_ART/status/1449783047143010305 Ryan Stevenson 🌿 on Twitter: "@Facts_About_BK It would be flattering to think I designed these versions of Banjo @Facts_About_BK but I can’t. I’ve only ever worked on the one version of Banjo & that was for Nuts & Bolts & with Banjo’s dad himself, Steve Mayles. As for the other games I was on 2d backgrounds." / Twitter] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20211017183802/https://twitter.com/Res_ART/status/1449783047143010305 archive.org])</ref>

In ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', Banjo was redesigned with a mix of his design from ''Banjo-Kazooie'', ''Banjo-Tooie'' and official artwork. His body is now back to a rounder appearance and his body ratio has been tweaked to make his head slightly smaller. His backpack now has red accents and a bottom flap, per concept and promotional artwork from those games, and is crested with a Rare logo pin. The design was made by the same person who originally designed Banjo in ''Diddy Kong Racing'', [[Paul Cunningham]].<ref>[https://www.rare.co.uk/news/rare-adventures-at-e3-2019 Rare - Rare Adventures at E3 2019] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20221106091548/https://www.rare.co.uk/news/rare-adventures-at-e3-2019 archive.org])</ref>

==Origin==
Banjo was not born a Rare icon, despite being quickly loved by millions. He was originally planned to be a small-time character in a Super Nintendo video game titled ''[[Project Dream]]''. After the [[Nintendo 64]] was released, the game was moved to the new console. However, it was found to be too generic, and a rabbit was planned to become the new main character. This too was unsuccessful, so Rare tried a game based around Banjo himself which ultimately became ''[[Banjo-Kazooie]]''.

In 1997, Rare ware decided to use Banjo in Diddy Kong Racing as a tie-in to his upcoming title, due to this, Banjo made his debut appearance in ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'', alongside [[Tiptup]] and Conker, as a heavy racer with a high-top speed and low acceleration. He wouldn't star in his own game until several months later. Since then, he has been the main character of every [[Banjo-Kazooie (series)|''Banjo-Kazooie'' series]] game yet.  He has returned in [[Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts|the series' latest installment for the Xbox 360]].

==Name==
Banjo's name is based on a musical instrument of the same name: the [[Wikipedia:Banjo|banjo]]. Incidentally, Banjo himself is known to be an experienced banjo-player, although the only time Banjo was ever seen playing his banjo was during the introduction theme in ''[[Banjo-Kazooie]]''. He is also heard practicing the banjo in the intro for [[Banjo-Tooie]], possibly in the intro of ''[[Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts]]'' and in the theme of the music of Spiral Mountain of the same game.
==Personality==
{{quote|Leave sssarcasssm to bird, bear not good at it.|[[Klungo]]|[[Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts]]}}
Banjo, in contrast to Kazooie, is a courteous, heroic bear who enjoys relaxing. He is often polite to the characters he meets and generally likes to help them out, unlike his Breegull partner. While he, most of the time, means well, Banjo sometimes comes off as a bit dimwitted and gullible. Throughout the series, many characters, including his own allies, refer to him as "stupid" and "fat," to which Banjo does not seem to mind due to his patience and manners. Banjo seems to have also picked up some of Kazooie's attitude, as he occasionally uses insults and makes sarcastic remarks (mostly in ''Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts'').

Banjo's relationship with Kazooie is tightly-knit, as the two are nearly inseparable, despite him at times feeling exasperated by her attitude and brash remarks towards others. He can sometimes get fairly annoyed by her constant heckling and lets out small bursts of temper against her, such as when he growls angrily and attempts to pull her out of her pack during an idle animation in ''Banjo-Kazooie'' and ''Banjo-Tooie'', though he's always quick to forgive her and apologize or shrug it off as an accident. He is constantly either apologizing to others on Kazooie's behalf or scolding her for being insensitive, (most of these times exclaiming: "Kazooie!") such as when Kazooie remarked that Bottles wasn't the favorite character in ''Banjo-Kazooie'' after he was killed by Grunty's spell in ''Banjo-Tooie''.

==Abilities==
[[File:B-T Banjo Kazooie art 5.png|thumb|200px|Banjo and Kazooie often perform various moves together, such as the Breegull Blaster in ''Banjo-Tooie'']]
While Banjo often needs the help of Kazooie to perform actions such as jumping or attacking, he has many moves he can use himself when his backpack is empty, such as the [[Pack Whack]], the [[Snooze Pack]] and the [[Sack Pack]]. Unlike Kazooie, Banjo can [[climb|climb structures and stairs]], and [[Grip Grab|hang onto edges]]. When paired with her, however, the two have a much wider variety of moves at their disposal, such as the [[Breegull Blaster]] and the [[Rat-a-tat Rap]].

In ''Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts'', Banjo and Kazooie have forgotten many of the moves they had learned in previous games and considerably gained weight due to not having any adventures for eight years. While the [[Lord of Games]] puts them in shape, he does not give the duo their moves back and instead forces them to use vehicles instead, gifting [[Mumbo's Wrench]] to Kazooie.

In ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', Banjo is sporting a wealth of moves he and Kazooie had learned from the Mole family, including an upside down [[Bill Drill]] to attack opponents from below. Banjo has also learned new moves not recognizable against previously learned from ''Banjo-Kazooie'' or ''Banjo-Tooie''. These include the ability to grab a hold of enemies with his claws, a forward haymaker punch, a grounded body slam which attacks from both sides, a high-rise kick (which requires a bit of assistance from Kazooie), and the ability how to roll and dodge in the air, and guard against attacks. They utilize [[The Mighty Jinjonator]] as their Final Smash, which barrages the opponents with [[Jinjo]]s and finally crashing into the Jinjonator to send them flying.

==Voice actor==
Banjo is voiced by Chris Sutherland, who also voices Kazooie. Chris also programmed Banjo-Kazooie, it's sequel; Banjo-Tooie, and Banjo-Kazooie's spiritual successor, Yooka-Laylee. He also formerly voiced Diddy Kong and King K Rool in the Donkey Kong games.

==Biography==
===''Diddy Kong Racing''===
[[File:DKR Banjo Car.png|thumb|left|200px|''Diddy Kong Racing'' artwork]]
Banjo's official debut was as one of the playable characters in ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]''. He was among the characters who responded to [[mariowiki:Timber|Timber]]'s call for help in banishing [[mariopedia:Wizpig|Wizpig]] out from [[mariopedia:Timber's Island|Timber's Island]]. Banjo competes in races and world challenges to decide who can ultimately compete against Wizpig. Banjo is in the heavyweight class and has slow acceleration, but compensates it with a high top speed. He also has average handling capabilities. Banjo's top speed without [[mariowiki:Banana|banana]]s is 57mph.

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 ''[[mariopedia: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 [[mariopedia:Tiny Kong|Tiny Kong]].

===''Banjo-Kazooie''===
[[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.

Along their journey, aside from learning more moves from Bottles, the duo meet a shaman named [[Mumbo Jumbo]], whose role is transforming Banjo into another object or creature in exchange for [[Mumbo Token]]s. The main collectibles are [[Jiggy]]s, which are required for Banjo and Kazooie to unlock later levels. They must also free five [[Jinjo]]s in each level, and collect [[Musical Note]]s to access paths in Gruntilda's Lair that were previously blocked off by [[Note Door]]s.

Banjo and Kazooie slowly travel up higher into Gruntilda's Lair as they unlock new levels. After finishing all nine levels, Banjo and Kazooie engage in a final battle against Gruntilda from the [[Winkybunion Tower|tower]]. With the help of [[The Mighty Jinjonator]], Gruntilda collapses from the tower, crashes into the ground, and becomes trapped beneath a large boulder.

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

===''Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge''===
''[[Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge]]'' takes place two months after the events of the original game, ''Banjo-Kazooie''. Banjo and Kazooie are setting up a barbeque, but meanwhile, after unsuccessful attempts to free Gruntilda, [[Klungo]] designs a new mechanical suit, [[Mecha-Grunty]], transporting Gruntilda's spirit into it. Mumbo Jumbo catches wind of this plan by hiding behind a bush nearby, and immediately tells Banjo - but right before he's able to react, Mecha-Grunty kidnaps Kazooie and travels back in time, in an attempt to prevent Banjo and Kazooie from ever meeting. Mumbo Jumbo then uses his magical power to send Banjo to the same point where Gruntilda traveled, to save his friend Kazooie. Banjo would relearn his moves from Bottles' ancestor, [[Bozzeye]], since he forgot them while traveling to the past, and travels by himself for the first world of the game.

In the second world, [[Breegull Beach]], Banjo found Kazooie imprisoned by Mecha-Grunty. After defeating her, Banjo reunites with Kazooie, and they work together to prevent Gruntilda's scheme. The duo eventually enter [[Grunty's Castle]], where they fight Mecha-Grunty for a last time. Collaboratively, Banjo and Kazooie destroy Mecha-Grunty's suit, causing her spirit to return back into her normal body, under the large boulder.

===''Banjo-Tooie''===
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.

Because Gruntilda is skeletal due to the amount of time she spent trapped under the boulder, she and her sisters use their newly-invented [[Big-O-Blaster]] to suck the life force out of the residents of the various worlds in the [[Isle O' Hags]] to restore Gruntilda to her former appearance. Banjo and Kazooie head on another adventure to stop Gruntilda. Since Bottles died, Banjo and Kazooie learn new abilities from Bottles' brother, [[Jamjars]]. They can enter new worlds by returning Jiggies to [[Jiggywiggy's Temple]]. Banjo and Kazooie also make use of the [[Split-Up Pad]]s, which allow them to explore areas by themselves.

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.

===''Banjo-Pilot''===
[[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.

===''Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts''===
[[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.

==Non-canonical appearances==
{{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.

Banjo appeared in the ''N-Gang'' comic "[[mariowiki:N-Gang vs. Nintendo|N-Gang vs. Nintendo]]," where he played on the same soccer camp team with Banjo, Wario, Yoshi, Peach, Donkey Kong, and Lanky Kong. Mario refereed the match. Kazooie remained in Banjo's backpack for the entire match.

In ''[[conkerwiki:Conker's Bad Fur Day|Conker's Bad Fur Day]]'' and its remake, ''[[conkerwiki:Conker: Live & Reloaded|Conker: Live & Reloaded]]'', a mounted head of Banjo appears over the fireplace in The Cock and Plucker.

In ''[[rarewiki:Grabbed by the Ghoulies|Grabbed by the Ghoulies]]'', a monstrous version of Banjo's head appears in the Trophy Room of [[rarewiki:Ghoulhaven Hall|Ghoulhaven Hall]].

In ''[[wikipedia:Minecraft|Minecraft]]'', a skin based on Banjo was added alongside 44 other skins in the Skin Pack 1 DLC released on July 16, 2012 for the Xbox 360 and Xbox One for $2.99 USD.

In ''[[rarewiki:Viva Piñata|Viva Piñata]]'' and ''[[rarewiki:Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise|Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise]]'', there are multiple references to Banjo. An accessory called the "Breegull Carrier" is modeled after Banjo's backpack and also references Kazooie's species, the [[Breegull]]. In both games and ''[[rarewiki:Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise|Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise]]'', a statue of Banjo and Kazooie holding a Jiggy called the "Bird and Bear Statue" can also be placed at the garden. In the sequel specifically, the Shark Tooth Necklace accessory also appears, referencing Banjo's own necklace, and Banjo's head appears in a mountain on the background alongside Kazooie's. 

In ''[[rarewiki:Killer Instinct (2013 video game)|Killer Instinct]]'', Banjo's yellow shorts are featured in the "Rarewear" costume for [[rarewiki:Rash|Rash]].

In ''[[rarewiki:Kinect Sports Rivals|Kinect Sports Rivals]]'', cards featuring Banjo sometimes appear on the teleprompter.

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

===''Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing with Banjo-Kazooie''===
Both Banjo and Kazooie appear as playable racers in ''[[Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing with Banjo-Kazooie]]'', making it their second appearance in a crossover game, after Diddy Kong Racing.

Banjo and Kazooie race together in a vehicle named the [[Bolt Bucket]], which is based on the vehicles in ''Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts''. They have an All-Star Move named "[[Jiggy Rain]]," where Kazooie pokes her head out of Banjo's backpack, pecks on Banjo, and utilizes [[Mumbo's Wrench]] to rain Jiggies down from the sky.

===''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''===
In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', Banjo and Kazooie were released as the third DLC character for Fighters Pass, and the fourth DLC character overall. This is the first game since ''[[Banjo-Pilot]]'' where Banjo and Kazooie appear on a [[Nintendo]] system.

==Unused appearances==
===''Donkey Kong 64''===
An early screenshot of ''[[mariowiki:Donkey Kong 64|Donkey Kong 64]]'' revealed that Banjo and Kazooie's heads would appear on a shower stall in Donkey Kong's Treehouse.

===''Dream: Land of Giants''===
Banjo was originally planned as a supporting character in the cancelled [[piklodex:Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] game, ''[[Dream: Land of Giants]]''. Shortly shifting development to the [[Nintendo 64]], the developers felt the main character, [[Edson]], was "losing his edge." One of their considerations for a main character was a rabbit, but they eventually decided on Banjo. Early sketches showed Banjo with a sword and another in a sleeveless shirt.

===''Diddy Kong Racing Adventure''===
Banjo, along with [[Mumbo Jumbo]] and [[Tiptup]], were considered playable for ''[[Diddy Kong Racing Adventure]]'', a rejected pitch made by [[Climax Group]] for the [[Nintendo GameCube]].<ref>PtoPOnline. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6d5IbpzFtw Diddy Kong Racing Adventure : The Undeveloped Gamecube Racer]. YouTube.</ref>

==Statistics and flavor text==
===''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.''"
*'''Official Nintendo Player's Guide profile:''' "''When Squawks brought Diddy's call for help, Banjo didn't hesitate 'n dash; 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.''"
*'''Weight:''' Heavy
*'''Acceleration:''' 2/5
*'''Turning:''' 2/5
*'''Speed:''' 3.5/5
*'''Color:''' Turquoise

===''Banjo-Kazooie''===
*'''Manual profile:''' "''A Honey Bear with a love of sleeping, swimming and even dancing when the mood takes him, Banjo has found life to be just too interesting for it's own good since he found himself 'adopted' by Kazooie. His Breegull friend just seems to attract trouble like a magnet...''"

===''Banjo-Tooie''===
*'''Manual profile:''' "''As quiet and polite as Kazooie is loud and rude, Banjo the Honey Bear prefers the quiet life to the thrill of adventure sought by his Breegull partner. Still, this old bear will have to learn new tricks once Kazooie leaves his backpack and goes it alone...''"

===''Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge''===
*'''Manual profile:''' "''With his best friend Kazooie captured and arch-enemy Gruntilda planning to write him out of history, Banjo is landed with the task of saving the Isle of Hags from an uncertain future.''"

===''Banjo-Pilot''===
*'''Top Speed:''' 3/5
*'''Acceleration:''' 3/5
*'''Handling:''' 2/5
*'''Manual profile:''' "''Our cautious hero may be getting used to the fast-paced adventuring life, but has he let his racing skills get rusty?''"

===''Viva Piñata''===
*'''Breegull Carrier description:''' "''Perfect for transporting lazy Breegulls about the place, if you're daft enough in the first place to agree to it.''"
*'''Bird and Bear Statue description:''' "''This statue comes with a warranty - 'Guaranteed to keep witches at bay'. That isn't much of a promise, when was the last time you saw a witch? Oh, I see, that means it's already working.''"

===''Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise''===
*'''Breegull Carrier description:''' "''Perfect for transporting lazy Breegulls about the place, if you're daft enough in the first place to agree to it.''"
*'''Bird and Bear Statue description:''' "''This statue comes with a warranty - 'Guaranteed to keep witches at bay'. That isn't much of a promise, when was the last time you saw a witch? Oh, I see, that means it's already working.''"
*'''Shark Tooth Necklace description:''' "''A Fizzlybear once found one of these washed up on the shore of nearby [[Treasure Trove Cove]]. He told his friends he wrestled it from the jaw of a [[Snacker]] himself.''"

===''Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts''===
*'''Manual profile:''' "''Banjo is a heroic honey bear, at least he was when he was in top shape. Kind of a sore subject, really. Banjo believes strongly in the time-honored maxim "Walk softly and carry a large bird stuffed into a backpack."''"

===''Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing with Banjo-Kazooie''===
*'''Manual profile (shared with Kazooie):''' "''Banjo, the heroic Honey Bear, and Kazooie, the wisecracking red Breegull will race on their weird and wonderful wheels. Can the duo outperform Sonic and friends for the checkered flag?''"
*'''In-game profile (shared with Kazooie):'''
**'''Species:''' Honey Bear
**'''1st appearance:''' ''Diddy Kong Racing'' (1997)
**'''Likes:''' Kazooie
**'''Skills:''' Plays the banjo
**'''Vehicle:''' Bolt Bucket
**'''All-Star Move:''' Jiggy Rain
**'''Description:''' "''Banjo and Kazooie are an adventurous bear and bird duo, always on hand to thwart the schemes of their nemesis, the rhyming hag Gruntilda.''

''Banjo himself is a big, amiable Honey Bear, polite and well-mannered—in stark contrast to the Red-Crested Breegull Kazooie who lives in his backpack. Loud, sarcastic and rude, Kazooie's inability to keep her beak shut often lands the pair in trouble...''

''Together they race in the Bolt Bucket, a quirky vehicle custom-built by their longstanding ally (and a real wizard in the garage) Mumbo Jumbo.''"

===''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''===
*'''Spirit (shared with Kazooie):'''
{|class="wikitable" align=center width=100% cellspacing=0 border=1 cellpadding=3 style="text-align:center; border-collapse:collapse; font-family:Arial; font-size:85%;"
|-
!rowspan=2 width=8%|Name
!rowspan=2 class=unsortable width=10%|Image
!rowspan=2 width=8%|Series / game
!rowspan=2 width=5%|Type
!rowspan=2 width=5%|Class
!rowspan=2 width=8%|Strength / effect(s)
!rowspan=2 width=13%|How to obtain
!colspan=4 width=40%|Spirit battle
|-
!width=7%|Opponent(s)
!class=unsortable width=19%|Battle conditions
!width=7%|Stage
!width=7%|Song
|-
!Banjo & Kazooie
|[[File:SSBU Banjo Kazooie Spirit.png|x100px]]
|''[[Banjo-Kazooie (series)|Banjo-Kazooie]]'' Series
|Fighter
|N/A
|N/A
|Classic Mode as Banjo & Kazooie
|N/A
|N/A
|N/A
|N/A
|}
*'''Website profile (shared with Kazooie):''' "''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!''"
*'''amiibo (shared with Kazooie):''' "''The stars of the classic Banjo-Kazooie series, this bear and bird duo enjoyed great critical acclaim on their quests to stop the evil witch Gruntilda, while earning the support of a generation of gamers.''"

==Gallery==
{{main-gallery}}
<gallery>
DKR Banjo Flag.jpg|''Diddy Kong Racing''
B-K Banjo Kazooie Fly art.jpg|''Banjo-Kazooie''
B-T Banjo Kazooie art.png|''Banjo-Tooie''
NnB Banjo Kazooie artwork.jpg|''Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts''
Sonic Sega Banjo Kazooie artwork.jpg|''Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing with Banjo-Kazooie''
</gallery>

===Icons===
<gallery>
BK Banjo icon.png|''Banjo-Kazooie''
GR Banjo icon.png|''Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge''
BK XBLA Banjo icon.png|''Banjo-Kazooie'' (Xbox Live Arcade)
</gallery>

==Names in other languages==
{{Foreign names
|Chi=阿邦
|ChiR=
|ChiM=A Bang
|Dut=Banjo
|DutM=-
|Fra=Banjo
|FraM=-
|Ger=Banjo
|GerM=-
|Ita=Banjo
|ItaM=-
|Jap=バンジョー
|JapR=Banjō
|JapM=Banjo
|Kor=반조
|KorR=Banjo
|KorM=Banjo
|Rus=Банджо
|RusR=Bandzho
|RusM=Banjo
|Spa=Banjo
|SpaM=-
}}

==Trivia==
*When asked about his shorts, Banjo stated that they "are a family heirloom" and that he needs "to patch them up every so often when bits start to fall off," and as a consequence of this, "there’s not much of the original material left." <ref name="Facebook Q&A">[https://www.reddit.com/r/BanjoKazooie/comments/5s2fna/banjokazooie_facebook_qas/ Archive on Reddit of the Banjo-Kazooie Facebook Q&A] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220912123225/https://www.reddit.com/r/BanjoKazooie/comments/5s2fna/banjokazooie_facebook_qas/ archive.org])</ref>
*Banjo stated he developed "a bit of a washing phobia" after being transformed into a [[Washer Banjo|washing machine]] in ''Banjo-Tooie''.<ref name="Facebook Q&A"/>

==References==
<references/>

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[[Category:Bears]]
[[Category:Males]]
[[Category:Mammals]]
[[Category:Playable characters]]
[[Category:Banjo-Kazooie characters]]
[[Category:Banjo-Tooie characters]]
[[Category:Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge characters]]
[[Category:Banjo-Pilot characters]]
[[Category:Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts characters]]