They reveal the origin of the name of Banjo-Kazooie

They reveal the origin of the name of Banjo-Kazooie

There are always mysteries to be solved, undiscovered riddles or small secrets that have remained hidden for decades. Banjo-Kazooie, one of Rare’s latest productions for Nintendo 64, is now part of Microsoft, as the purchase of the studio also involved the transfer of rights to its intellectual properties. In any case, the name of the franchise starring these two nice characters is more linked to Nintendo than you might expect. At least, it is linked to the family of Hiroshi Yamauchi, the late president of the Kyoto company and grandson of the founder of Nintendo.

An article published by VGC has brought out an unpublished story about the origin of the name Banjo-Kazooie. Andy Robinson, a former Playtonic Games, was one of the only developers in the studio that didn’t come from Rare. During his stay at the company he worked at Yooka-Laylee, in the end, spiritual successor or tribute to Banjo-Kazooie. During one of the conversations he had with developers who had worked on the original title, a story was uncovered that had remained hidden for years. Banjo’s name was chosen in honor of the president’s grandson, whose name is Banjo Yamauchi.

And where does Kazooie come from?


As noted, Kazooie is derived from the name of the son of the former president, who is known as Katsuhito or Katsuhi in its reduced version. “When you combine those names you end up getting Banjo-Katsuhi, and this is not a coincidence. I know because the original developers have confirmed it. ” In this way, the two characters continue to have some Nintendo inside, even if only their origins.

Banjo-Kazooie returned as a playable character to a Nintendo game thanks to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which incorporated them into the Fighters Pass Vol. 1, that is, as paid fighters. According to Masahiro Sakurai, director of the video game, it was not too complicated to get Microsoft’s approval for both of them to debut on Nintendo Switch.

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