Mumbo Jumbo, also known as Mumbo, is an essential key supporting character in the franchise of Banjo-Kazooie. As a skull-faced shaman, Mumbo Jumbo plays different roles in each game of the series, providing assistance to the titular characters called Banjo and Kazooie through spells or transformations. Mumbo Jumbo lives within his iconic abode, Mumbo’s Skull, which is a large structure shaped like his head. He is generally friendly towards the protagonists, but he harbors some animosity towards Humba Wumba, as both consider themselves more powerful than the other. One of his distinguishing traits is his tendency to speak in the third person, never referring to other characters by name. Additionally he often teases Banjo and Kazooie about the forms he transforms him into. Mumbo Jumbo’s appearance varies in each game, with his defining feature being his pink skin and yellow skull adorned with three red feathers. In Banjo-Kazooie, Mumbo is larger than both Banjo and Kazooie, but his size was reduced in the game Banjo-Tooie, bringing him to around the same height as the duo. In Banjo-Kazooie Nuts & Bolts, he sports blue overalls in Showdown Town. Furthermore, Mumbo’s Skull serves as a hub where Banjo and Kazooie can visit Mumbo and transform into a variety of creatures, depending on the world. In each of the five worlds that Mumbo appears in, he can be found inside his Skull. Banjo and Kazooie must collect enough Mumbo Tokens to convince him to transform them by standing on a small skull-shaped switch. Occasionally, Mumbo Jumbo’s magic fails, causing him to transform Banjo and Kazooie into a Washing Machine, though he quickly corrects it. Sometimes Mumbo mentions wanting to transform the protagonists into a T-Rex but changes his mind. In the Game Over sequence, after the wicked witch Gruntilda Winkybunion manages to transfer Tooty’s beauty through the Beauty Steal Machine, Mumbo appears, offering her a flower and suggesting they go to his Skull.
» Mumbo Jumbo in Banjo-Tooie
Introduced first in the game’s opening sequence, Mumbo Jumbo is depicted playing cards with Banjo, Kazooie and Bottles inside Banjo’s House. During the game’s introductory phase, Mumbo notes that he already has a considerable amount of cash, which prompts Kazooie to distract the others while she pilfers tokens. Suddenly an earthquake happens, interrupting their poker game whereupon Mumbo Jumbo leaves the house to investigate. While outside, he witnesses Mingella and Blobbelda destroying the boulder that kept their sister underground. When he tries to leave to inform the others, he is spotted and chased by Gruntilda. He rushes back to Banjo’s House to warn the others, but Gruntilda Winkybunion charges a powerful spell outside, causing Banjo and Kazooie to flee the house. Bottles, however, remains skeptical and stays behind, only to be killed in the process. This tragic turn of events prompts the shaman to vow revenge on Gruntilda, and he joins Banjo and Kazooie on their new journey. As a playable character in Banjo-Tooie, Mumbo Jumbo can manipulate objects and creatures in worlds, thanks to his magical abilities. He gains his powers from small pink colored magical creatures called Glowbos, which Banjo and Kazooie must bring to him whenever they need Mumbo’s help. When the duo seeks out Mumbo Jumbo’s assistance, they must throw a Glowbo they have collected into his small brown bag, and he then becomes available for the player to use in that particular level. To cast his spells, Mumbo Jumbo must step on a pad, which can be found in various locations throughout each world. As soon as he steps on a Mumbo pad, he can use a range of spells. When not casting spells, Mumbo Jumbo can jump, swim, or attack with his wand. Once he has finished assisting the player, he can return to his skull and sit in his chair until he is required again. Mumbo Jumbo is a playable character in multiplayer mode and is classified as a middleweight character. After Banjo and Kazooie defeat Gruntilda Winkybunion at the end, Mumbo joins the protagonists, Jamjars, and Humba Wumba at Bottles house for a party. Unfortunately, they discover that Klungo has eaten everything, and tensions rise as they try to assign blame. Mumbo blames Humba Wumba, who then threatens to turn him into a frog. Mumbo Jumbo in turn says that he will summon the Mighty Golden Goliath in Mayahem Temple to kick her butt. However, the group heads back to Cauldron Keep, where they play a game of kickball by using Gruntilda’s head, whereupon she swears to take revenge.
» Mumbo Jumbo in Banjo-Kazooie Grunty's Revenge
In the handheld game Banjo-Kazooie Grunty’s Revenge, Mumbo Jumbo has a crucial role in the opening sequence. While hiding in a bush to watch Klungo, he witnesses the release of Gruntilda Winkybunion’s spirit into the powerful Mecha-Grunty suit, and quickly rushes to Banjo’s house to warn him and Kazooie of the danger. After the wicked witch abducts Kazooie and travels back in time, Mumbo Jumbo’s magical expertise is called upon to create a time portal, allowing Banjo to follow and rescue Kazooie. Throughout the game, players can find Mumbo inside his skull, which has been renamed Mumbo’s Pad. Unlike in Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie, Mumbo is portrayed as a younger version of himself, still in training to become a skilled witch doctor. With the help of Mumbo Totems, players can unlock four unique transformations, including the Mouse Form, the Candle Form, the Octopus Form and the Tank Form. Banjo can select any transformation he has unlocked, regardless of the current world. While transformed, Banjo is restricted in where he can go, as the game sets specific boundaries for each transformation. Crossing these boundaries a Mumbo icon with a cross will appear on the screen, and Banjo will be automatically transported back to a location within the boundaries, ensuring that players don’t wander too far off-course.
» Mumbo Jumbo in Banjo-Kazooie Nuts & Bolts
In Banjo-Kazooie Nuts & Bolts, Mumbo Jumbo takes on a different role from his previous magical shaman character. Instead, he is now a vehicle mechanic and the proprietor of Mumbo’s Motors located in Showdown Town. In this new capacity, Mumbo can unlock Mumbo Crates that contain vehicle parts brought to him by Banjo and Kazooie, who are on a quest to stop the evil Gruntilda Winkybunion from wreaking havoc on the game’s world. Although Mumbo and Humba Wumba seemed to have resolved their rivalry after the events of Banjo-Tooie, the two shamans are once again presented as rivals in Banjo-Kazooie Nuts & Bolts. Mumbo occasionally advises Banjo not to buy items from Humba Wumba, highlighting their ongoing competition in the vehicle-building business. Throughout the game, Mumbo takes on various roles, including that of a farm owner in the world Nutty Acres. In the second Act, Mumbo hosts the Jiggy-Challenge “Tick, Tick, Bang!” in which the protagonists must safely deliver a ticking bomb to Bottles. In the fifth Act, he hosts the Jiggy-Challenge “Beat the Fleet” in which Banjo and Kazooie must fend off Gruntbot invaders on boats. In the world Logbox 720, he serves as the helpline operator. In the fourth Act, he hosts the Jiggy-Challenge “You Little Squirt,” which involves cooling down overheated fans. In the sixth Act Mumbo hosts a Jiggy-Challenge called “Critics Say No”, where he needs help assembling a new gameplay creation device he ordered. He also makes an appearance in Banjoland where he is dubbed as The One With Ideas Above His Station. In the sixth Act, he hosts the Jiggy-Challenge called “Mumbo’s Stunt Spectacular,” in which they must entertain visitors by performing daring stunts with a pre-made vehicle. Finally, in the world L.O.G.’s Lost Challenges, Mumbo takes on the persona of The Self-Styled Ladies’ Man, where he challenges Banjo and Kazooie to a race.
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QUOTES
✤ Challenge too hard? Bear either lazy or too dumb to drive car.
✤ Ahh … Mumbo proud of pumpkin spell, Make good soup!
✤ Mumbo much brave. Me go look outside. Back in minute!
✤ Me Mumbo, best shaman in all game. Can help Banjo and filthy feathered one.
✤ Must give magic creature to Mumbo if want help. Want Mumbo’s help?
