If you're a fan of Nintendo trivia, you may or may not have heard this one before.
Apparently, Banjo and Kazooie from Rare's 1998 Nintendo 64 game Banjo-Kazooie are (at least partly) named after the grandchild and son of former Nintendo president, Hiroshi Yamauchi.
This is according to some "amazing trivia" game writer and former Playtonic staffer Andy Robinson recently heard in Japan.
We're not sure what to make of this, as history states Banjo's name is based on a musical instrument of the same name, and the same goes for Kazooie's name, which is inspired by the kazoo. Both characters even play the instruments they're named after in the game.
As Robinson notes below this tweet, probably the only people who can really confirm if this is true are Rare founders, the Stamper brothers. Legendary video game composer Grant Kirkhope was even surprised to hear this. However, Gregg Mayles, who served as the game's designer and is still at Rare today, confirmed it was at least partly true:
What do you think about this? Do you believe this is true? Tell us in the comments.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 16
So it's really a mix of both.
I'd say if the Banjo part is true, so isn't the Kazooie one. It's too coincidental on the naming. Either way..
Fake news people!
still can't believe Xbox are letting their valuable Rare IP die a slow death, would love a new Banjo, Conker and Jet Force Gemini game!
So, the sky IS blue?
Another reason for the Bear-Bird duo to be in Smash Ultimate 😊
So Yooka is obviously confirmed to be named after Yokai Watch, while Laylee is named after Bill Trinen's layoff hoax.
Isn’t the real news here that Yamauchi has a grandchild named Banjo?!
Why the heck would you name your kid Banjo?!
another interesting fact. also i need a new banjo kazooie or whatever its called game
@quinnyboy58 they need to sell it to Nintendo and let a proper company work with Rare.
@Kidfunkadelic83 well that's the dream but can't see that happening and would rather something than nothing, pretty sure they could just give it to an up and coming studio and get a half decent game
Ahh, yes, the very common Japanese name of "Banjo"..... Didn't that rank #4 of new baby names in Japan for a few years, right behind "Dulcimer", "Xylophone", and "Kevin"?
Who wants to be the poor kid in Japan (or most other countries on Earth) named Banjo? Even if you are the only kid in the recess yard that can say "my dad's dad owns Nintendo" and not be making things up....
I used to know a kid named Banjo. He was 30cm taller than everyone else his age and absolutely dominated at football. Full of muscles, that lad.
Interesting.
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