The Putrid Pride of Gruntilda -- Designing For Vanity

Designing For is a series which looks at one specific level, character, or idea in gaming and breaks down the central theme to that element to figure out what it's, well, designing for! In this episode, we celebrate 25 years of Banjo-Kazooie by looking into its main villain, Gruntilda Winkybunion. A simple character on the surface, Grunty has proven to be an incredibly enduring bad guy due to her devotion to her own vanity, and her selfishness and pride allow her to thrive as the central pillar that all of Banjo's personality can revolve around.
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Patreon: / designingfor
Twitter: / designing4games
Discord: / discord
Director/Writer/Voice Over/Footage: Tommy Eyler/Pyrrhickong ( / pyrrhickong )
Video Editing/Additional Direction/Script Editing: AuthorMx ( / @authormx )
Intro Animation By: / @tarvouldsquest
Intro Theme By: / tracks

[@DoJayMi]

"A hero is a hero, but everybody loves a good villain." ~ Ferb Fletcher

[@JamesDavy2009]

Everyone who watched _Spaceballs_ can confirm that. Props to Rick Moranis for his performance as Dark Helmet.

[@Rockgem12]

So true

[@rga1605]

I feel that in the beginning Banjo was like "Oh, I need to save my sister" and then in the end he's like "I won't rest until that witch is punched"

[@robertlauncher]

I think Kazooie has a lot to do with that

[@smashers6971]

One thing I love about Grunty is how her influence makes Banjo and Kazooie into better characters because in Banjo Tooie it’s subtlety revealed that Grunty has control over the the entire island (Its even shown that it’s shaped like her head.) and it definitely feels like it, everyone is pretty much cynical and suffering under her influence, aside from two major people The Jinjo’s (Who are Grunty’s second biggest target after the bear and bird) and of course Banjo and Kazooie, the two of them aren’t epic heroes they’re just two normal people just looking to help people out, never forget the only reason they went to stop Grunty despite living right nearby is because she stole Banjo’s sister. They’re probably the first people that actually stood up to her, and it’s why Tooie expands on this, as the bear and bird explore their island home like never before they bring that helpful nature with them, helping everyone they can meet (For a good jiggy price of course in Kazooies case) and said citizens usually are grateful for the duos efforts, and it probably makes Grunty furious that all her work is being undone by a simple minded honey bear and loudmouth breegull. Sadly this is something I feel is missing from nuts and bolts, because Banjo and Kazooie are basically forced into this gameplay change and made to play by the rules, kind of prevents that helpful nature from coming out, But hey I typed a lot about this fun bear and bird duo so that shows how much I love this series heh.

[@FrannyMichelle-xl9mq]

I've had the same theory for half a year now! With the fact it's called "The isle O' hags" despite the majority of citizens being animals, plus the ruins of King Jingaling's stone statue head in The spiral Mountain of the past from Grunty's revenge, it leads me to believe Gruntilda and her family arrived one day to take over, and as you said it has mostly been done through industrialization (Grunty's industries and the fact she wanted to build acres in Spiral Mountain) I would have to mention tho, that In N&B, Humba mentions how magic has become scarce and that's why she had to take a Blueprint-selling job. It does it slightly, but it shows The winkybunyon's influence over the islands proves to still cause damage. If there were to ever be a next in line, I wonder if the plot would have to do with healing the island and returning it to what it once was since Grunty's gone?

[@smashers6971]

@@FrannyMichelle-xl9mq I think what’s interesting that it’s entirely possible that Humba has no magic skills and just set up shop at the magical pools the isle has, after all Mumbo at least has the excuse of needing the Glowbos for his more powerful spells, Banjo just tosses a glowbo into a pool and that’s all that’s needed for him to transform. Also Mumbo still has his magical abilities in nuts and bolts as well so Humba might be lying to save face.

[@FrannyMichelle-xl9mq]

@@smashers6971 It's also an interesting point!

[@joshuareesor1756]

@@smashers6971 Humba does have a big ol' book of spells behind her chair, so she probably has about the same amount of magical ability as someone like Mingella (who also has to use a book). And I would imagine the various herbs and spices she has around the wigwam would probably contribute to the pool or other kinds of practices she does, mystical or otherwise.

[@smashers6971]

@@joshuareesor1756 I like to think regardless this is the reason Mumbo dislikes her despite him being somewhat a Casanova (As we see with Honey B. and Hot!Grunty), Humba claims that she’s great shaman but Mumbo is actually more advanced than her.

[@Marshadow01]

I’m a simple person, I see Banjo-Kazooie, I click

[@bowen13]

Same

[@Driggsdamonstah]

Same

[@MushKinPuff]

Same

[@maybesomething0]

Same

[@BBWahoo]

Do you want to see Gruntildas Sexy Striptease?

[@ricardocantoral7672]

I like how her skeletal form in B-T reflected her murderous intent in that game. No fairy tale villainy here, her goal in that adventure was straight-up genocide. You know, for kids! 😊

[@mrdreamy1747]

I can't believe Gruntilda started the third Reich o' Hags.

[@Trevthehedgehog7]

If this doesn't get Gruntilda a spot on TV Tropes' Pantheon, I don't know what will. Her vanity, determination, and mighty magic should certainly fit the bill!

[@DrawciaGleam02]

She's basically the Witch version of Snow's White's evil queen......😆

[@mr.j3rs3y]

@@DrawciaGleam02 🎶 How could they not add someone so nasty and mean? 🎶

[@Collie-King]

IT HAPPENED!!! 🎉

[@Trevthehedgehog7]

@@Collie-King Proof?

[@DrawciaGleam02]

@@Collie-King Really? All right!

[@wandereringshadow8658]

You know, the funniest part is that given thta magic in the Banjo series can canonically transform people- if Grunty was really that good of a witch, i'm sure she could've worked out a way to just make herself more beautiful without stealing it from anyone. It wasn't that she wanted to be more beautiful, its that she was jealous that Tooty was more beautiful then her. 100% The definition of Pride.

[@ZombieBarioth]

The real kicker is that its probably a bit of both. Grunty probably could just use magic to make herself more beautiful, but that wouldn't have been as satisfying as robbing somebody of their looks so it never occurred to her as a solution. Neither did simply cursing Tootie. In typical Gruntilda fashion she went with the most over the top petty method possible as some sort of flex. That or ya know, not even her magic being strong enough was kinda the joke. :P

[@sonicsucks20]

Koozie called Toote an ugly brat.

[@joshuaheins4018]

2:20 I disagree with this. You should do these kinds of intros more often if you can. Sets the mood and matches the personality/tone/mood of the subject matter.😊

[@orsonzedd]

Tell if the entire video was in rhyming couplets I would have called it inspired art

[@sirreginaldfishingtonxvii6149]

It was really charming lol

[@trashymc4564]

​​@@orsonzedd was hoping it was! But I get how that could be super annoying.

[@VTRcomics]

Glad I'm not the only one, I'll second the claim When creators have woven in poetry to their writing, stops the intro from being plain ... Maybe growing up with Dr. Suess (and Grunty) didn't help

[@Galvatron102]

Yeah me too, I really liked it

[@DrewStalgic]

It has always stood out to me just how many times the Jinonator has to slam into her just to barely budge her off the ledge. A truly powerful villain.

[@merouln700]

Thank you for pointing how unbelievably powerful Gruntilda is compared to the rest of the world she lives in. Those boss fights made sure to remind us that. It something that stuck me in Banjo-kazooie: "she can just... summon the equivalent of missiles AT WILL out of thin air, with no consequences to herself?" Amazing character

[@jeremyrossi2716]

Not to mention that if she can delete save files, she can likely end their entire reality in an instant, only refraining from doing so because she would find it anticlimactic and boring unless done as poetic anti-cheat justice.

[@iantaakalla8180]

I like that Gruntilda is implied to act fair because she either is too lazy to really cheat unless challenged or she prefers the theatrics of a fair, no-holds-barred battle despite her banter.

[@ShadwSonic]

I was honestly expecting the last rhyme of the intro to be "Winkybunion" instead of the meta-joke. Both because it fits, and Grunty is the _last_ person I'd expect to rag on rhyming.

[@DesigningFor]

Oh I think Grunty would gladly rag on rhyming... done by anyone but herself, of course.

[@thedman1754]

​@@DesigningFor like she trademarked it or something 😭😭😭

[@beywheelzhater8930]

@@thedman1754 When it comes to rhymes, no one beats the witch You want to try? She'll turn off your switch Even now she's coming for me! Someone help, I'm in danger you see!

[@thedman1754]

@@beywheelzhater8930 if you're being chased, I suggest to run, as being captured doesn't sound fun

[@cheezemonkeyeater]

"Grunty is reduced to a pathetic talking head." You mean she gets her own news show? HIYOOOOOOO!

[@BagMonster]

Your rhyming is great, it's far from a stain. An intro that perfectly sets up the frame!

[@DJTS1991]

What I love about some of the early N64/PS1 Platformers... is that we didn't know it at the time... but there was some awesome, reflective environmental and level design in them. They were unusually psychologically pertinent for a video game, and we were projecting so much of ourselves into those games as well. I still play Super Mario 64, Banjo-Kazooie, DK64, and heck, even Crash Bandicoot on occassion, and those environments can teach you almost everything about those characters and even the players themselves. Of course, now that the internet has more of a presence in our lives, we know better and we've watched one too many analytical videos lol Bowser in SM64 came of as this omnipotent, frightening eldritch type demon dragon. Ganondorf in Ocarina was this insanely intelligent, father-like political genius. Grunty came of as this envious, jealous, and manipulative teacher or parent - Hansel and Gretel vibes - the devouring mother. I miss those days. What was cool about Banjo-Kazooie is that it's a game that's a fantastic argument for gamification in schools. It literally tests the player on their knowledge at the end of the game. Humorously, her death and becoming a living skeleton is, ironically, exactly what she wanted in the first place - to become better looking or skinnier. What's interesting about Grunty and her sisters in Banjo-Tooie is that they're actually really quite clever, resourceful people. And they know it. They make large drills, towers, technology and more. But because they're so petty, that potential is wasted. It's a spiritual issue, which is hilariously remedied by literal monks shaped like jigsaw pieces. And so you've nailed it with this video. The games are a lesson in overcoming vanity. When your whole life becomes about satisfying yourself, you ironically, and appropriately, sabotage your life. I'd love to see a game where she overcomes her vanity and either teams up with Banjo or become a frightening, unstoppable monster.

[@iantaakalla8180]

I would imagine Gruntilda stopping her feud with Banjo and Kazooie simply because the better villain would literally make indulgence impossible, which is what Gruntilda wants in the first place, and she would announce it like this: “This upstart makes fun impossible By making landscapes inhospitable! No burgers or fries to indulge Nor resources for my tummy bulge! This upstart looks to end all worlds So I ask before life unfurls Bird and bear, help me defeat The villain who lives down the street!” Or something like that

[@LJorSomething]

I'd dream to see a DKC x Banjo Kazooie crossover where Gruntilda and King K. Rool interact with each other. Like- I have a feeling K. Rool would call her something along the lines of "delinquent pile of moss" during their expositions, prompting Gruntilda to immediately dedicate the rest of her arc to building a ginormous weapon of mass destruction in revenge. K. Rool would then naturally dedicate his entire arc to constructing an even more lethal death device (that's wild west themed for some reason) in order to one-up her. The climax would end up being the two of them fighting each other with these gigantic mechs- all the while their creations are broken down from the insides by a bear and bird that had their go-fish session interupted in the midst of all this chaos and a goofy gorilla. What was the point of me writing this entire fanfiction concept? I wish I had an answer. Cool character analysis, by the way!

[@JamesDavy2009]

The lines between the two franchises kind of blurred during development-DK64 had Fungi Forest (known then as Fungus Forest) dumped into it and one stanza cut from Mayahem Temple's music track ended up being the music track for Angry Aztec.

[@cookietoonam116]

​@@JamesDavy2009No wonder Banjo and DK64 music sounded similar. 😃😮

[@banjo9158]

As much as i love K. Rool, i think Gruntilda and Wario would be a better Villainous Egocentric Duo. imagine Wario talking about how great he is compared to everyone else for an entire game while he antagonize Banjo and Kazooie, and other characters as well.

[@Jedi-ge6lr]

@@banjo9158 And he keeps doing it, no matter how many times Grundy stomps him to the ground.

[@the.bloodless.one1312]

It’s a real testament to the creative might of Rare back in those days that they were able to take a fairly generic, trope-y witch character concept and turn her into such a deeply endearing, charming and memorable character, erupting with creativity.

[@psychic-paranoia8020]

Video starts at 26:11, only then will you be graced with heaven. This essay dares to tarnish Grunty's name, do not dare imply I'm- err... She's vain.

[@lexcentrique2554]

Very in-character and funny. I definitely, absolutely, totally am not in a state of psychic vulnerability strong enough to believe that a vain witch from a video game could even possibly be part of reality.

[@NL-X]

Who else thinks that Grunty as an skelleton has a cooler design? I love that about Banjo Tooie, that she is not even a normal witch anymore, it's such an amazing thing

[@MushKinPuff]

HOW DID YOU MAKE THAT ENTIRE INTRO RHYME?! YOU ARE A LEGEND!!!

[@PlebNC]

Through perseverance and time. Of great wordplay, he did bend.

[@PragmaticAntithesis]

Through the investment of great time, he made sure that intro would rhyme. I must appreciate his grit, to follow through and do the bit. It did not overstay its course, any more and there'd be remorse. A well made gag for all to see: I watched the intro with great glee.

[@rpgcraftsman520]

@@PragmaticAntithesis As did I, I laughed so hard it brought tear to eye! I needed that guffaw after an evening crap, so naught I can do but call "Encore" and clap.

[@jianmario6500]

Gruntilda is like wario if he can fly and rhyme while at it

[@autobotstarscream765]

She makes him look like a saint!

[@Shamanized]

I ship them

[@NidotheKing]

I swear i'm being watched. I play some Donkey Kong, there you are. I play some Crash Bandicoot, boom upload. Now there's no way you know I just finished a playthrough of Banjo Kazooie!

[@parnash]

Oh, are we doing a villain theme? Man, I can get behind all this!

[@noahjohnston9958]

The title of the video gives me an idea: This shouldn't be just a villain theme, it should be a villain theme with villains that exemplify the 7 Deadly Sins, Grunty here being the video for Pride. :)

[@sirreginaldfishingtonxvii6149]

"What?! He claims that I, the great Gruntilda the witch, is some sort of self-obsessed bi- _uhh no maybe not in a kids game..._ In any case, I would never give this video a like, the one who made it can take a hike!" _-Gruntilda_ (I will, though. It was real good)

[@salmonkindalikeme9316]

The semi-functional villains part was interesting. I only recognize Gnasty Gnorc, the King from Conker, and the old guy from Jumping Flash.

[@cosmicspacething3474]

Did everyone forget that Gruntilda just dropped the whole rhyming thing in the sequel?

[@DesigningFor]

It's such a fun little bit, too. She keeps it up and then Mingella says "it's annoying, stop it" while still committing fully to her own Yoda-esque verbal tic, and Grunty simply goes "oh FINE I guess!" Like she's just doing it to show off, it's great.

[@iantaakalla8180]

Gruntilda really is an extra person who wants to always stand out, isn’t she?

[@aceofarrows]

I dunno man, I think people who hate rhyming have no idea how _difficult_ it is for the people who have to _write_ all the text for a character who loves to rhyme. Somebody has to come up with a way to communicate all their lines in that fashion, and I respect those who wrote Grunty's lines for that reason. It isn't just the notion that she has a couple silly lines here and there either; she's got plenty to say in conversation with her cauldron at the beginning of the game, and if you make it to Grunty's Furnace Fun, you discover somebody had to write her an _entire solo speech_ in rhyme to introduce the deadly board game. I always give mad props to people who write rhyming text, especially for anything of such notable length.

[@JamesDavy2009]

They know to avoid words so infamous. Like silver, purple, orange and scissors; it's so tyrannous.

[@maugos]

Gruntilda is one of those characters you really enjoyed when you were younger and playing the game. Then years go by, you forget about them, but then something comes along to remind you (Banjo and Kazooie making it into Smash) and all of a sudden you remember: Oh yeah, that fat witch was hilarious!

[@swordheartstudios]

The Banjo Kazooie series has been one of my favorite series ever since my childhood and I have to say the way the Rare Ware team really knew how to reflect Grunty's personality into the game with the effect that she had on the characters. During the first game we saw her try to steal Tooty's beauty to become beautiful as it shows how much her actions would set in motion the events to where Banjo and Kazooie would be possibly the first to stand up to Grunty to put an end to her reign of Spiral Mountain. But she really shows how self personified she was with how many paintings and statues that she had throughout her lair in the first game along with her lair being the shape of her head that shows how highly she thinks of herself. As the sequel to Banjo Kazooie (Banjo Tooie) goes a bit further with the development of the characters that we've met and will meet. After her revival in Banjo Tooie being released from the rock she was buried under she shows how much she isn't just trying to take her revenge out on Banjo Kazooie but also on their other friends and the inhabitants of the Isle O Hags. As her influence on the Isle really shows how far its effected the characters with Grunty planning on sucking away the entire Island of its life energy not caring for who she takes it from to get her body back. Since it really shows with how much she has a grudge against King Jingaling for giving Banjo and Kazooie their first Jiggy in Banjo Tooie. Banjo and Kazooie have shown just how they were normal people who got wrapped into Grunty's antics with Banjo's sister getting kidnapped leading to Banjo and Kazooie rushing to get her back while helping out people who have been affected by Grunty's actions throughout her lair shows their development as heroes. I love how this further developed in the sequel with them helping out everyone who has been affected by Grunty's actions and influence against the Isle while making their way to defeating her again once more. As I wish Nuts n' Bolts would have done better having given Grunty a major role again as the antagonist, but it feels like it just got reduce with how much the game was center around it being a competition for the ownership of spiral. But even in the end it doesn't reduce the fact that the Banjo Kazooie series is still one of the best series out there even if it ended off on one of its not so best games.

[@jameslawrenson1208]

That was masterful!

[@Driggsdamonstah]

Gruntilda Winkybunion’s Vanity is inspired by the Evil Stepmother from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. (Actually the entire game is inspired by Disney.)

[@Trevthehedgehog7]

The more you know~!

[@JamesDavy2009]

@@Trevthehedgehog7 🌈⭐🦚

[@cookietoonam116]

With a dark twist.😃

[@Dingus_Khaan]

Evil Queen. The stepmother thing is from Cinderella.

[@thekurgan14]

You really under sold how much impact those quiz shows had. sure now in a long post banjo/yooka world they are no shock but in their time they were such a HUGE surprise.

[@DesigningFor]

Oh definitely agreed! I think they're amazing character moments for Grunty, huge surprises, and the perfect capstone to Banjo's journeys; what's a better test for a game focused on collection than a boss fight that goes "okay but did you pay attention to EVERYTHING while you were collecting?" It's why I don't think Yooka's quizzes hit in the same way, doesn't quite gel as well with the nonlinear progression of expanding worlds and is too frequent to be a massive, game-spanning final challenge. But make no mistake I ADORE the quizzes!

[@thekurgan14]

@@DesigningFor 100% The Yooka ones were mishandled.

[@iantaakalla8180]

The first Yooka game failed so badly at being a Banjo-like it had to become a DKC-like with meta elements to stay afloat.

[@thekurgan14]

@iantaakalla8180 I wouldnt say it was THAT bad. Experimental and as a result clunky yes. But it's not like experimental clunk was new to anything rare did on the n64

[@marclink0]

Thank you for reminding me why I loved this series so much as a kid. At every step, the games are coated with Grunty's omnipresence. In a way, she IS the story

[@seasonembrace3624]

Also man Gruntilda was such a memorable antagonist like good lord the amount of smack talk she gives you in the first game and the amount of drastic measures she takes in the second game she was fully willing to blow up the entire island like Jesus lady 😱

[@joebykaeby]

Dear god it's been 25 years. The Banjo games are still more special to me than any other games I've ever played.

[@Freezer94]

Love the Grunty's Revenge coverage but we needed 10 minutes about her Banjo Pilot role and where it fits in the timeline.

[@spencermaley4390]

Are we just not gonna talk about that kick-ass Dr. Seuss rhyme in the intro?

[@Scrubber89]

Great video, great intro. Happy 25th Anniversary Gruntilda Winkybunion.

[@Dragynn5]

That intro was great! To the comments you showed, I can't really relate. Who doesn't want more fun, more creativity, more aplomb? I think Grunty's just jealous that you are the bomb.

[@Gruntilda-Winkybunion]

I love your videos! Thank you so much for covering my favourite Character of all time!

[@stevenstice6683]

Grunty may be your favorite character of all time, but darn it! You forgot to make her rhyme!

[@----x-----]

Don't worry D4 I love your long monologues and the effort you put into your scripts. Grunty was a top tier villain, basic but with so much personality and very memorable and I'm not just sayign this because her game over slim form made such a strong impression I remember kid me dying intentionally just to see her again not really sure why he liked it so much...

[@jarerarebear1765]

There's a lot of reasons Gruntilda is my favorite video game villain of all time.

[@theSuper1Player]

Did no one else realize D4 made the intro exactly 2:55 long in accordance with the sassy “Video starts at” comment he got? Hats off, good sir!

[@TarvouldsQuest]

That intro was AMAZING and I'll fully admit, I'm constantly impressed how you commit to the bit. Your love for this game is obvious and endearing, especially when you speak of Grunty's crude interfering. I've always been one to like the villains that are "cool", but you've sold me on those that have the essence of K Rool. I wish you much success in your career in the future, that's coming from your #1 fan and top moocher.

[@themudkipmando4125]

Never played the Banjo games but Gruntilda makes me want to

[@00yiggdrasill00]

I would genuinely recommend Kazooie and tooie, the pair are absolutely great games. Just be aware they are collectothons which is not for everyone and the controls are designed around the N64 controller.

[@a_person5668]

Don’t play tooie. It sucks. Literally only the first game’s good.

[@stevenstice6683]

Nuts & Bolts was basically the inspiration for Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom.

[@Shamanized]

This is a 5-Star video essay, wonderful work. I thought I had nothing else to learn about the BK series as a huge fan and I learned a ton from this, thank you so much! While watching I couldn't help but think about Eric Cartman from South Park a lot. A totally insufferable, petty, simple kid, but one who is extremely powerful if only because of the ridiculous lengths he'll go to get what he wants. Cartman almost seems like the lost grandson of Grunty. Both of them do their job so well that they're very lovable-we love to hate them and they're just great entertaining characters who rock at their roles.

[@ce4879]

5, 10, 50, more! So many likes I wish I could give to this video I adore! The intro, sublime! The lore? It’s time is the prime! This video easily made my day! I subscribed so I shall not stray. I can’t wait for more content no matter how far away!

[@moonphae342]

“Oooo purple striped socks the pinnacle of character expression” um. Yes actually that sounds about right to me lmao

[@JamesDavy2009]

I see symbolic logic behind it.

[@islaamSama]

Peace be upon you folks, Eid Mubarak, and good morning Design Doc! :D Hearing that intro always makes my day 10x better. It feels like catching a Saturday Morning cartoon. :] Also I LOVE Gruntilda. Even though I never played Banjo Kazooie cuz it was before my time, I absolutely love intimidating but comical villains, especially cuz she reminds me Cackletta, another of my favorite villian. Which reminds me... a Fawful and Cackletta Design Doc would be wonderful :))

[@blakespangler3111]

Dude, right off the bat, I’m hooked. I’m so glad I decided to try this video. Can’t wait to try your other “Designing for...” videos 😁

[@bakireggie7795]

Ok that comment at 2:19 is just mean tho! Don't mind people that say stuff like that! Just thinking of intros like these require a lot of dedication, especially if the rest of the essay also has really amazing quality in writing and presentation. I didn't have a lot of knowledge of Grunty before this, but the fact that not only the world of Banjo is kinda shaped by her actions and how even the cheat codes have "lore meaning" adds a lot to both her character and the charm of the game as a whole Amazing work as always!!!

[@Xel963]

I liked the starting rhyming thing. It was fun and you should've done more. It had the vibe of things.

[@JudgeTyBurns]

“I’m just mad, okay” is a whole vibe.

[@chompythebeast]

4:14 Hearing Rocko do his sex chat routine was a real blast from the past. I feel like I've been slimed. Also love the nod to that tiny short channel uploading BK gold, "Facts about BK", if that was where that was from. Maybe give them a shout out?

[@Nehfarius]

One thing I like about Grunty isn't that she's stylish or powerful...it's that she's absolutely willing to flex it all. Many witches talk a big game about their power, but ultimately fail to deliver. But Grunty? No, Grunty is always ready to remind those around her of how big a deal she is, and she's always, ALWAYS the most challenging battle in the games she's in, to the point where the first time around, Banjo could only beat her with outside help.

[@thelax5311]

Never forget Grunty was on the cover of Fat Hag Monthly.

[@ZigealFaust]

Grunty was my first video game crush, and that was BEFORE I ever got a Game Over screen.

[@MetalMental]

I love this channel and I thank you immensely for keeping your channel going.😊

[@kma4835]

Your content is top tier 👌 never stop love to see/hear your passion!!!!!

[@nyomincia4470]

I watched the Cortex video just a bit ago so this is very well timed. You love to see it, banger video!

[@cookiestar3069]

So much passion and creativity in this video. Love it! And I say that as someone who has never played these games (but always wanted to).

[@ianesgrecia8568]

This is the best video of Gruntilda. Thank you for it!

[@GuiltlessGear]

"Solidus bad, Nefarious good" is certainly an...interesting take.

[@DesigningFor]

I wouldn't say Solidus is bad, but I would call him a villain who is set up to get repeatedly punked by everyone else in the room and never actually be in control of everything. It works for the themes of MGS2 incredibly well, the final boss essentially being a Patriot Puppet Show, but man. The man even gets abused and toyed with as a living corpse. He just can't stop tripping over himself. Nefarious good is absolute, though. Nefarious very good.

[@Somerandomjingleberry]

That opening sequence is out of sight! A true show of your writing might. Do not listen to the hater, the troll, lest your videos pay a damning toll. Take pride in your silliness, embrace your wit! Show your commitment to the bit! It’s goofy and wacky, far from a drag; a well and true love letter to this grand hag! …also the rest of the video is great too, but I just wanted to join in with everyone complimenting the intro that you (jokingly or not) seemed so self conscious about!

[@jadaw644]

Excellent video! I never knew there was so much depth behind Grundy!

[@gtwist8065]

9:30 the total distortion *dead* had me rolling

[@madnessarcade7447]

Gruntilda scared me as a kid I got to the part where she turned banjo’s sister into a beast I was so traumatized I put the game down and never played it again I got easily spooked as a kid I did the same with the eel from Mario 64 and the og Spider-Man movies The latter two I went back to years later tho Maybe I’ll revisit one dsy

[@JamesDavy2009]

If Unagi scared you, the piano from Big Boo's Haunt is even scarier.

[@madnessarcade7447]

@@JamesDavy2009it’s less about the eel itself and more about what lurks in deep waters

[@JamesDavy2009]

@@madnessarcade7447 That is known as thalassophobia-a fear of the ocean, especially of the depths from the mesopelagic zone and downwards.

[@madnessarcade7447]

@@JamesDavy2009true

[@madnessarcade7447]

@@JamesDavy2009also the fear of drowning cuz I can’t swim past five feet

[@epic_toon]

I LOVE THIS VIDEO SO MUCH !!!! Gruntilda is honestly an amazing done villian even though she is so simple, from her rhyming to her game shows, shes so lovable! And the mumbo jokes made me laugh so much 😭😭❤️

[@SonicJrandSarah]

That was quite a good history of Gruntilda. She is such a memorable villain in video game history and she has the most memorable lair.

[@jiggylookback]

Great video! Love people loving Banjo in any way shape or form!

[@ChrisPTY507]

amazing video. well done~

[@allosaurustime]

Another great video!

[@albireothestarthebacklight2990]

the book part at the start is so good

[@kawaii801]

She is an evil baddie and her rhyming is really clever fun and funny in the fist game aka banjo and kazooie

[@JamesDavy2009]

"Why do I talk all the time? It's really hard to make these rhyme!"

[@xXxGlitterGirlxXx]

This is the second video of yours I've seen. The first was about Cortex. I loved it. But on top of this the intro to this video is amazing.

[@ArendAlphaEagle]

Dang, not even a week since the Cortex video, and we already get a video on ANOTHER 3D platformer villain from the mid-to-late 90s? Good stuff!

[@vaughneaston733]

13:18-13:27 Breaking Banjo was hilarious

[@yourclairygodmother]

I can't help but admire Gruntilda in all her putrid glory. Rocks do not stop her. Death does not stop her. The universe does not stop her. She thrives on her pettiness so much that it keeps her alive through several deaths. She will burn your crops, poison your water supply, and deliver a plague onto your house; and she will not give a crap about it. All for the sake of a "all about me" attitude. It's almost admirably childish.

[@dluxx3719]

Video starts at 0:00

[@nucleargaming7764]

Ah yes. Thank you. I couldn't find when it started

[@joshuaheins4018]

2 VIDEOS IN ONE WEEK HOLY 💩

[@SuperSign64]

lmao that rhyming part was perfect

[@quadaraderie7419]

I'm stuck by how much you've improved at making videos. Great Work!

[@jameslawrenson1208]

His quality really shot up in recent years!

[@millythompsonfromtrigun98anime]

Your rhyming is GENIUS , DONT STOP

[@animeepics2701]

Hey dude thank you for making this video ,grunty is one of my favorite female villains out their

[@iquemedia]

banjo got the click the intro earned the subscription

[@darronjonesii637]

Love your vids!

[@tedtiger7774]

Quality rhyming. I quite like the timing. My head will continue to ring with this rhyming thing...

[@G0ATFAC3]

I think an interesting aspect of Grunty's character is how, throughout the series, she becomes more and more reliant on machines. She starts the series constantly using spells and magic to beguile Banjo and Kazooie when they intrude on her property, and she ends the series basically as a robot building mechanical minions to bully people. Her one real quantifiable success was her incredible magical abilities, and yet she loses all of it, all of herself, in the quest for petty revenge.

[@Aluran]

Happy 25 Banjo

[@joshuaheins4018]

0:42 HOLY PISTOL-SMOKING ANIMALS IT’S PIZZA TOWER BABY!!!

[@BigRoyBad]

Ahh, one of the best channels on KZbin.

[@OnlyTwoShoes]

The real flex is immediately after getting to Treasure Trove Cove: >Unlock the sandcastle >Get Grunty to erase your save >Beat the whole game in one shot

[@snuggie1849]

I just beat this game again yesterday and you made a video on it.

[@Ryan50Ryan]

I enjoyed the rhyming intro. And the rest of the video.

[@misterjersey5460]

Banjo Kazooie is now 25 years old? Holy cow.

[@rpgcraftsman520]

Oh my fucking God. That intro. I love it. I love it so fucking much. XD

[@jeweltara]

yep i remember that game over...i never like losing but Grunty's glow up sure made it hurt alot less..

[@Stiv64_]

Learing more and more about archetypes and storytelling as I got older, I always wondered how the characters in one of my favorite childhood games, Banjo-Kazooie came to be? Like if the villain always carries out one of the the sins of the hero, how is a laid back bear and a witty bird supposed to work in a story with a vain witch? Almost makes you think the devs rolled with whatever they came up with on the fly. It's not even as if Banjo gets But maybe that disconnect matters? Maybe it makes the game all the more whacky and charming, that the heroes and the villain don't even have anything in common? I wonder if that was the intention of the developers.

[@johnrose1641]

Fun fact: Grunty’s likeness is represented seven times throughout her lair: the entranceway, another entranceway inside, two portraits, a statue, a floormat, and a plushie of her. She’d have a lot of redecorating to do after her makeover!

[@GanonAutumn777]

Shoutout for the emet selch mention :D

[@frankinglese7100]

FUN video!😁👍

[@madnessarcade7447]

Pokémon designing for environmentalism is a good idea for an episode Hope you guys see this and pitch this idea

[@JamesDavy2009]

Gen-V played out that trope with its separatism overtones and the trope is turned on its head in Gen-III when eco-terrorists cause an environmental catastrophe.

[@madnessarcade7447]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@JamesDavy2009 every generation has environmentalism its been a core of the franchise since Gen 1 Pokémon has always been an allegory about the preservation of nature and coexisting with nature So it’s not a “trope” it’s activist message from someone who cares about the environment teaching the rest of us to do the same Gen 8 literally had a message about global warming with galarian corsola It’s not just a “trope” it’s at the core of the franchise has been since Gen 1 and it will never be played out because it’s very real and keeps happening and will always happen so new people will always need that message The franchise is based on the creator’s childhood hobby of bug collecting and then losing that hobby due to industrialization Such a deep message like that is one of the things that makes pokemon so unique And many more examples in every game in each generation Environmentalism will always be a part of Pokémon’s heart and soul because of the creator’s passion for nature and that’s not something that should ever be taken for granted by you or by anyone and clearly it’s a message that everyone needs to learn always that not everyone has learned since nature keeps being abused There are a lot of people who got into careers about animals and nature like zoology and marine biology because of Pokémon And we need that environmentalism in Pokémon to keep inspiring more people so that nature stops being abused Because pokemon has always been about humans coexisting alongside nature So no it is not a “played out trope” and it never will be excuse you So again designing for environmentalism will be a fantastic episode no matter what you say