Seeing Banjo-Kazooie appear on a Nintendo console ever again seemed unlikely after Microsoft acquired the series developer Rare several years back. However, the Xbox boss Phil Spencer has not been shy about his desire to have the characters appear in the Super Smash Bros. series as he has spoken about it several times on his Twitter. Several fans have shared that sentiment; despite the Banjo-Kazooie series having no new entries for quite a while, many have held onto fondness for the games when they first released on the Nintendo 64 system. Today must have been a dream come true when the duo was revealed as playable characters for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in the Nintendo Direct E3 2019 showcase.
Banjo-Kazooie’s reveal happened in a similar fashion to King K. Rool’s; Nintendo “trolled” audiences with a fake-out reveal before actually showing off the characters. Their character design is pulled from their original appearance rather than their look from Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts. Just like in their series, Banjo-Kazooie function as a pair; when it comes to other fighters in they are comparable to Duck Hunt rather than Ice Climbers.
The move-set of Banjo-Kazooie resembles their abilities from their games. Banjo the bear uses his bird friend Kazooie as a utility and weapon, so far as to club enemies with her body with the Breegull Bash. They can use the Talon Trot as Kazooie runs with Banjo on her back. The Beak Barge is a low-to-the-ground attack that has Banjo slide as Kazooie’s beak lances enemies. Kazooie’s wings can protect Banjo as he charges into opponents with the Wonderwing. Banjo can use Kazooie as a gun to fire eggs from her mouth with the Breagull Blaster. She can even lay grenade-like eggs. Their Final Smash attack seems to be the Might Jinjonator.
In addition to the characters being added to the game, there will also be a new stage called Spiral Mountain. This stage is based on the tutorial area from Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie. It seems to be a moving stage with the mountain as its focal point. Gruntilda, the main antagonist of the Banjo-Kazooie series, also makes an appearance on this stage. It is not clear how she will affect battles.
Creative and zany characters like Banjo-Kazooie feel at home in a game like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. As much as they have demanded to feature in the series, it has been a long time coming. Banjo-Kazooie will be available as DLC for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate this fall. They will be available for those who have purchased the Fighter Pass.
