Hello, friends! Well, here we are, on Day 3 of A Geeky Gal’s 30 Day Video Game Challenge, and I have to say, I am having so much fun writing about all of these games that had such an impact on my life. There are a few coming up that I am particularly excited about, and a few that I definitely need to think about. But, hey, let’s just jump right into the question for today, shall we?
Day 3: Who or what is your favorite character?
Now, this one I had to think about. I’ve played a lot of games, over the course of 20+ years, and I always enjoy games where I can really relate to at least one of the main characters. That being said, I am usually able to see at least a little bit of myself in most characters, which is why this one was particularly challenging for me to answer. I guess that’s why I actually have several answers.
My first answer just felt too… obvious to really be the focal point of this post, as anyone who has read any of the pieces I wrote for the big Hyrule collab probably already knows where my heart is at with this series, so I will mention him in passing. Link, from the Legend of Zelda series, is right up there with characters that I have always loved. I’ve even named several pets after characters from the series (cats, dogs, hamsters, and even a horse that I didn’t actually own). I’m still planning to get my Triforce tattoo some time this year as well. But, this post isn’t about Link… I just wanted to mention how much I love him.
My second answer kind of feels like a cop out, since the character is actually from a book series, that was later turned into a movie series, and also a massive video game franchise series. But, it is my favorite book series, and movie series, so it is worth mentioning. Have you guessed who it is yet? I’m talking about Mr. Harry James Potter, from the massively popular Harry Potter series.
Full disclosure, I haven’t played a Harry Potter game in many, many years (aside from the Harry Potter Hogwarts Mystery app, which I actually reviewed when it was released, and am still very much addicted to), but let’s be honest, when you love a series as much as this one, you’re bound to love them all. Thinking about it now, I think it’s actually the world of Harry Potter that I love more than Harry himself, but… I digress. I’ll also be getting my Deathly Hallows tattoo some time this year as well, opposite my Triforce tattoo. Actually, can I pick my own character from the app? Because she’s a badass. I don’t mean to brag, but I’m waiting for the latest update to drop, so I can start my 5th year as both the Slytherin Prefect AND an Animagus!
BUT, this post is supposed to be about my favorite video game character. While I did have a hard time narrowing down the list, one stuck out to me more than the others, because it’s also one of my favorite game series, that I find myself always returning to. If you read the title, and looked at the header, then you should already know who I am going to say. But if you don’t recognise the sassy, wisecracking, red-crested Breegull in the photo, then let me be the first to introduce you to the fabulous Kazooie, and the fantastic Banjo-Kazooie franchise!
The original Banjo-Kazooie game was released in 1998, which makes it 20 years old this year. It was first released for the N64, which is also my favorite console, and received massive success. This popular platformer game was definitely ahead of its time, and was praised for its stunning, smooth graphics, which many say rivaled the graphics seen in the Legend of Zelda games, which were also wildly popular at the time.
Later, the franchise expanded, with the addition of Banjo-Tooie, the sequel to Banjo-Kazooie, in 2000. The franchise also released both Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty’s Revenge (2003), and Banjo-Pilot (2005), for the Game Boy Advance. Banjo-Kazooie was re-released for XBox in 2008, the same year that Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts was released. Even if you’re not familiar with the franchise itself, you’ve likely seen either one or both of it’s lead characters in other classic games. Banjo actually made his first appearance in 1997, before Banjo-Kazooie was even out, in the popular N64 game Diddy Kong Racing, as a playable racer. The pair also have small, sneaky cameos in the games Conker’s Bad Fur Day and Conker: Live & Reloaded, and are also playable racers in the XBox 360 version of Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing.
Whew, that was a lot more info than I intended to throw at you. Too many bold letter. Too lazy to make it super colorful. Sorry about that. Moving right along.
In Banjo-Kazooie, you follow the adventures of, you guessed it, Banjo and Kazooie. Banjo is a well mannered, friendly honey bear, who wears bright yellow shorts, and a blue backpack, which houses his best friend, Kazooie, the foulmouthed, sassy, wisecracking, red-crested Breegull. Together, they go on an adventure to save Banjo’s little sister, Tooty, from the evil witch, Gruntilda, who wants to steal her youth and beauty for her own. Playing as the duo, you must progress through the game by collecting musical notes to learn new abilities, gathering “Jiggies” to unlock each of the nine worlds, and rescuing Jinjo characters that Gruntilda has imprisoned, before you can face Gruntilda, and rescue Tooty.
One of the reasons that I have always loved Kazooie, is because she was one of the first, female protagonists I ever got to play as. Sure, Princess Peach and Princess Zelda existed by this time, but they were princesses. I didn’t want to be a damn princess! Kazooie was the kind of girl who didn’t take shit from anybody, whether they’re a friendly bear, a blind mole, an evil carrot, or a wicked witch. She’ll peck your eyes out, dive bomb you in the air, or shoot explosive eggs at you from either her mouth, or her butt. She’s awesome. Witty, hilarious, and sassy as hell, always armed with a quick comeback for every situation. I identified with her so much as a kid. Heck, I still do! She’s the badass I wish I could be. Honestly, if I could pick a Patronus, it would be Kazooie.
Screw Lara Croft, or Tifa Lockhart, or any of those other badass women from video games that I’ve never actually played. I have always wanted to be Kazooie. Always.
Anyway, that’s it for today’s post! I hope you guys enjoyed it, and learned a little something about this badass Breegull. If you guys want to check out the challenge, and maybe participate for yourself, you can click here. Thanks for reading, friends!
You can read the rest of my 30 Days of Video Games posts HERE!
Jan
My Life as Jan 