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Entertainment • Video Game

Banjo-Kazooie

Banjo-Kazooie is a 1998 platform video game developed by Rare and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Banjo-Kazooie is a 1998 platform video game developed by Rare and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. It is the first game in the Banjo-Kazooie series and follows Banjo, a bear, and Kazooie, a bird, as they try to rescue Banjo’s sister Tooty from the witch Gruntilda.

Gameplay

Banjo-Kazooie is a single-player 3D platform game in which the player controls Banjo and Kazooie together. Progress involves exploring nonlinear worlds and collecting items needed to advance.

Plot

The story follows Banjo and Kazooie as they attempt to save Tooty after she is kidnapped by the witch Gruntilda. Gruntilda is the recurring antagonist of the series.

Development and release

The game was developed by Rare and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64 in 1998. It later appeared on Xbox Live Arcade, extending its availability beyond the original console release.

Legacy

Banjo-Kazooie launched a franchise that included sequels and related spin-offs. Its title characters became the central figures of the series and remain closely associated with Rare's Nintendo 64 era.

Key facts

  • The game was developed by Rare and released by Nintendo in 1998.
  • It is a 3D platform game viewed from a third-person perspective.
  • Players control Banjo and Kazooie together as the main protagonists.
  • The story centres on rescuing Banjo’s kidnapped sister Tooty from Gruntilda.
  • It became the first entry in a larger Banjo-Kazooie franchise.

Frequently asked questions

What is Banjo-Kazooie?
Banjo-Kazooie is a 1998 platform video game developed by Rare and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64.
Who are the main characters?
The main characters are Banjo, a bear, and Kazooie, a bird who rides in Banjo’s backpack.
What is the story of the game?
Banjo and Kazooie try to rescue Banjo’s sister Tooty, who has been kidnapped by the witch Gruntilda.
What genre is Banjo-Kazooie?
It is a single-player 3D platform game.
Was Banjo-Kazooie the first game in a series?
Yes. It is the first entry in the Banjo-Kazooie franchise.
Did Banjo-Kazooie appear on other platforms?
Yes. It was later released on Xbox Live Arcade.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banjo-Kazooie_(video_game)
    Supports: Developer, publisher, platform, release year, gameplay, plot, and series placement.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banjo-Kazooie
    Supports: Series context and main character descriptions.
  3. Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q129000
    Supports: Core identification as a 1998 platform video game developed by Rare.