Banjo-Kazooie

Banjo-Kazooie is a 1998 Collectathon video game by Rare, for the Nintendo 64. Taking it's name from its two stars, Banjo the bear and Kazooie the bird, Banjo-Kazooie is one of Rare's biggest and most successful titles. Banjo-Kazooie is the first game in the Banjo-Kazooie Series, being followed by Banjo-Tooie in 2000. Due to Microsoft's ownership of Rare, Banjo-Kazooie was ported to Xbox Live Arcade in 2008.

Banjo-Kazooie was one of 30 titles selected to be included in Rare Replay, which released in 2015.

Plot
Gruntilda is an ugly witch who wishes she could become beautiful. She created a device to switch "looks" with another person, however, she has yet to find a test subject. She spies on Banjo's sister, Tooty, and swoops down and captures her and takes her into her lair. Banjo, with the help of his trusty, yet sarcastic friend, Kazooie, must travel into Gruntilda's Lair and solve puzzles by collect jigsaw pieces (known as "jiggies") to open new worlds, and musical notes, to open magically sealed doors. Along the way, a mole by the name of Bottles, teaches them useful moves throughout the game, as well as receive the help of a "skull-man" named Mumbo who was transformed by Gruntilda.

Gameplay
Banjo and Kazooie follows the pattern of Super Mario 64 and Donkey Kong 64: entering various worlds to collect items (Jiggies, golden jigsaw puzzle pieces that are used to complete pictures that open up other worlds, and musical notes that can open up passages to other areas, etc). Each level contains 10 jiggies to collect, as well as 100 musical notes. Along the way they encounter various allies such as Mumbo who can transform them into other forms that may be necessary to complete certain tasks, as well as various types of enemies. In addition to running and jumping, the duo can also fly and fire eggs at their enemies, and even turn invincible! Near the end of the game there is a board game section that the player must go through in order to reach Tooty and Gruntilda. In the original Nintendo 64 version, a musical note scored was saved for each level (if the player exited a level after collecting, say, 55 notes, the next time the player entered the level, they would have to collect all 55 again, plus additional notes in order to move on). This was fixed in the Xbox Live Arcade version.

Major characters

 * Banjo & Kazooie - The bear and bird duo; main protagonists.
 * Tooty - Banjo's adorable little sister.
 * Bottles - The poor-visioned mole who helps Banjo and Kazooie throughout their adventure.
 * Gruntilda Winkybunion - An ugly, rhyming witch; main antagonist.
 * Mumbo Jumbo - A skeleton shaman who speaks in third-person.
 * Klungo - Gruntilda's dumb but strong lackey.

Items

 * Jiggies - Used to unlock worlds.
 * Musical Notes - Used to open magically sealed doors.
 * Mumbo Tokens - Used for Mumbo Jumbo's magic.
 * Jinjos - Five in every level, collecting them all rewards a Jiggy.
 * Honeycomb Pieces - 6 create an additional honeycomb to Banjo and Kazooie's lifebar.
 * Banjo Trophies - Grants an extra life.

Mumbo's Mountain
Mumbo's Mountain is home to, well, Mumbo Jumbo. It features mountainsides and a giant ant-hill in the middle of the level. There's an ill-tempered ram that is unbeatable, as well as a giant monkey named "Conga" that tosses oranges around. Mumbo's Skull hut is tucked away in the north-west part of the level, a giant totem pole stands in front.

Treasure Trove Cove
This level takes place on a beach-like island area, surrounded by water on all sides where a dangerous shark (named Chomps) attacks anyone who gets in the water. A stationary pirate ship is floating on a small waterbed towards the center of the level, the captain (Captain Blubber) lost his treasure inside the flooded pirate ship. There's a lighthouse at highest peak of the level, as well as several other areas to explore including a sand castle.

Clanker's Cavern
Clanker's Cavern takes place inside a water-filled cavern, filled with underwater paths and sewage pipes. The giant mechanical "fish", Clanker, appears in the level.

Bubblegloop Swamp
A dangerous swamp where crocodiles roam underneath the bubbling muck. There is a beehive gang here, as well as a giant turtle and a crocodile-shaped building that is home to a nasty crocodile.

Freezeezy Peak
A giant snow-filled Christmas zone. There is a giant snowman in the center, as well as a Christmas Tree at the southeast corner of the level. There's a cave that's home to a scared seal, as well as presents scattered about. Boggy, a fat polar bear lay unconscious near the beginning slopes, his igloo is right next to the starting pad and houses his family: his selfish kids only caring about the lack of presents.

Gobi's Valley
A desert filled with quicksand and Egyptian like themes. There's a giant statue of a dog, as well as a giant mummified hand that test's Banjo's speed. There are several pyramids to explore, as well as a withering tree and a selfish camel.

Mad Monster Mansion
Scary fun is all to be had at Mad Monster Mansion. There are a lot of creepy-themed buildings and scenarios, including a church that's organ is being played by a giant ghostly hand, and a mysterious well.

Rusty Bucket Bay
An area that takes place inside a cargo bay area, Rusty Bucket Bay is notorious for several ships and docking ports to explore.

Click Clock Wood
The four seasons collide together in Click Clock Wood, presenting unique characters and events, depending on the season of course.

Similar games

 * Super Mario 64
 * Glover
 * Donkey Kong 64 - Also made by Rare.
 * Gex 64: Enter the Gecko
 * Conker's Bad Fur Day - Also made by Rare.