Banjo-Kazooie

Banjo-Kazooie is a 3D platform/adventure video game for the Nintendo 64. It was developed by Rare and published by Nintendo in 1998. Known by the project name Dream until it was first shown at the 1997 E³, it received a significant amount of hype, partly due to being marketed as the game that would be to the N64 what Donkey Kong Country was to the SNES in terms of an advancement in graphics. Originally, it was supposed to be released as Nintendo of America's big holiday game for 1997 with a Taco Bell toy promotion lined up, but Rare decided to delay it several months. Instead, Diddy Kong Racing took its place, and with Banjo as a character in that game as well, it turned B-K into an incidental spin-off of the Donkey Kong franchise. Banjo-Kazooie went on to become one of the most popular games for the console.

Related Topics:
3D - Platform - Adventure - Video game - Nintendo 64 - Rare - Publish - Nintendo - 1998 - 1997 - E³ - Hype - Donkey Kong Country - SNES - Graphics - Nintendo of America - Holiday - Taco Bell - Toy - Promotion - Diddy Kong Racing - Spin-off - Donkey Kong

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The game stars a bear and a bird, Banjo and Kazooie, who set out on a quest to rescue Banjo's sister, Tooty, who has been kidnapped by the witch Gruntilda. Along their journey, Banjo and Kazooie receive help from Mumbo Jumbo the shaman and Bottles the mole, as well as from various other characters in smaller roles.

Related Topics:
Bear - Bird - Kidnap - Witch - Shaman - Mole

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At the 1999 Interactive Achievement Awards, Banjo-Kazooie won in the "Console Action/Adventure" and "Art Direction" categories, and was nominated for "Console Adventure Game of the Year" and "Game of the Year."

Related Topics:
1999 - Interactive Achievement Awards

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The Banjo-Kazooie soundtrack, composed by Grant Kirkhope, was released on a limited edition compact disc.

Related Topics:
Grant Kirkhope - Limited edition - Compact disc

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