Jinjo

Jinjos are a fictional species of multi-coloured creatures that inhabit The Isle O' Hags in the Banjo-Kazooie series of video games. Jinjos appear to be quite sociable and enjoy competitive sport - in Banjo-Tooie they were preparing for an upcoming kickball tournament against a team of Moles, while in Banjo-Pilot they have a special all-Jinjo Grand Prix.

Appearances

Banjo-Kazooie

Their first appearance is in the game, Banjo-Kazooie for the N64. In this game, one of the many objectives is to "collect" the Jinjos, thus freeing them. Each level contained 5 Jinjos, one of each colour (Blue, Purple, Yellow, Green, and Orange). Freeing 5 Jinjos awards the player with a Jiggy, a golden Jigsaw puzzle piece used to enter new levels. Also of note is the living statue, the "Jinjonator", that helps to defeat the final boss.

Banjo-Tooie

In the sequel, Banjo-Tooie, the pink jinjo is absent and the Jinjos returned along with their ruler, King Jingaling. Minjos, the supposed arch-enemies of Jinjos, were also introduced in this game.

The way Jinjos worked in Banjo-Tooie is different from its forerunner. Instead of getting a Jiggy for rescuing the 5 in each level, you get a Jiggy for rescuing each family of Jinjos, nine in total. Each family is a specific colour and has a different number of Jinjos you had to rescue. Now one has to find all the same-colored Jinjos of a family to win their family heirloom, which is a Jiggy. Also before the game even begins, the Grey Jinjo family is killed by the Hag 1 machine Grunty's sisters were driving. It was driven through their house and there is a signpost to commemorate this fact; all that was left is a doorway.

Also of interest is that Mumbo Jumbo, a shaman in the series, was also once thought to be a Jinjo. However, this has been denied by the company that makes the games, Rare.

Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge

The Jinjos also appear in Grunty's Revenge, once again in need of rescuing. Also introduced in this game was the Jinjo Oracle, a talking stone statue who watched over all the Jinjos. She was able to tell you how many Jinjos you had found in each world.

It was also revealed in this game that Spiral Mountain, home of Banjo and Kazooie, was the original homeland of the Jinjos, but they were forced out when Gruntilda built her lair.

Banjo-Pilot

Their latest appearance is in the racing game, Banjo-Pilot. One of the selectable characters is a Purple Jinjo. The Jinjo is one of the slowest, but has excellent Body Stability and Turning Points.

Minjo

The Minjos look similar to the friendly Jinjos, but they growl and attack the player if they are approached.

The key difference in appearance between Minjos and Jinjos is that Minjos appear in open, easily spotted areas, while Jinjos are usually hidden. The player can determine whether he has approched a Jinjo or a Minjo by firing an egg at it: If the egg passes through without effect, it is a Jinjo; if it hits as it would any other enemy, it is a Minjo.