Bumper (character): Difference between revisions

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|first_appearance=''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'' ([[List of games by date#1997|1997]])
|first_appearance=''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'' ([[List of games by date#1997|1997]])
|latest_appearance= ''[[Diddy Kong Racing DS]]'' ([[List of games by date#2007|2007]])
|latest_appearance= ''[[Diddy Kong Racing DS]]'' ([[List of games by date#2007|2007]])
|portrayed_by= Lee Schuneman<ref>"The 25 Greatest Nintendo Games", ''GamesTM'' Issue 134, page 58.</ref>
|portrayed_by= Lee Schuneman<ref>{{cite|title=''GamesTM'' Issue 134 ("The 25 Greatest Nintendo Games")|date=April 2013|page=58}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''Bumper''' is a badger playable character in ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'' and its [[Nintendo DS]] remake, ''[[Diddy Kong Racing DS]]''. After {{wp|Microsoft}} purchased Rare Ltd., in 2004, the rights of Bumper were given wholly to Microsoft.
{{quote2|Badgers don't stink, no matter what anyone else says.|Bumper|[[Nintendo Power]]}}<ref>{{cite|title=''[[Nintendo Power]]'' Volume 102|page=29|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=November 1997}}</ref>
'''Bumper''' is a badger and one of the playable characters in ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'' and [[Diddy Kong Racing DS|its Nintendo DS remake]]. He also appeared in various ''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]'' media released only in Japan, but this stopped in 2002, when the rights of Bumper were transferred to {{wp|Microsoft}}, following their acquisition of [[Rare Ltd.]]


A promotional e-mail by [[Rare Ltd.]] in 2004 to promote the release of ''[[Wikipedia:Conker: Live & Reloaded|Conker: Live & Reloaded]]'' implied that one of the racers from ''Diddy Kong Racing'' had been jailed.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080804094926/http://www.the-nextlevel.com/feature/conkers-public-address/ The Next Level]. Accessed December 3, 2017.</ref> An instance on the Rare Ltd. website in 2012 further confirmed that the imprisoned individual in question had been "Bumper the badger".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140210121309/http://rare.co.uk/blog/2012/05/18/mini-scribes-may-18-2012/ Rare Mini-Scribes: May 18, 2012]. Accessed December 3, 2017.</ref> A later tweet, made in 2021 in response to a joke made by the Super Mario Wiki Twitter account, further added that Bumper at some point in time was put on parole, and that he was superficially apologetic for his actions.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20211006193931/https://twitter.com/RareLtd/status/1445797744640208896 "Oh, Bumper's been a free badger (well, on parole) for a while now and he's superficially sorry for all those bad things he did."]. RareLtd. October 6, 2021. ''Twitter''. Retrieved October 6, 2021.</ref>
He is described across multiple supplemental material to ''Diddy Kong Racing'' as a lover of speed, thrills and races. A promotional e-mail by [[Rare Ltd.]] in 2004 to promote the release of ''{{wp|Conker: Live & Reloaded}}'' implied that one of the racers from ''Diddy Kong Racing'' had been jailed.<ref>{{cite|archive=web.archive.org/web/20080804094926/http://www.the-nextlevel.com/feature/conkers-public-address|title=Conker's Public Address|publisher=The Next Level|accessdate=December 3, 2017}}</ref> An instance on the Rare Ltd. website in 2012 further confirmed that the imprisoned individual in question had been "Bumper the badger".<ref>{{cite|archive=web.archive.org/web/20140210121309/http://rare.co.uk/blog/2012/05/18/mini-scribes-may-18-2012|title=Rare Mini-Scribes: May 18, 2012|accessdate=December 3, 2017}}</ref> A tweet made by Rare Ltd. in 2021 in response to a joke made by the Super Mario Wiki account on X added that Bumper at some point in time was put on parole, and that he was superficially apologetic for his actions.<ref>{{cite|quote=Oh, Bumper's been a free badger (well, on parole) for a while now and he's superficially sorry for all those bad things he did.|archive=web.archive.org/web/20211006193931/https://twitter.com/RareLtd/status/1445797744640208896|author=RareLtd|publisher=X|date=October 6, 2021|accessdate=October 6, 2021}}</ref>
==Character development==
[[File:BumperOG.png|thumb|left|Early model for a blue Bumper.]]
An early design of Bumper was shared online by [[Kevin Bayliss]], former [[Rare Ltd.|Rare]] graphic and character designer that worked on ''Diddy Kong Racing''.<ref>[https://tcrf.net/Development:Diddy_Kong_Racing Development:Diddy Kong Racing]. ''The Cutting Room Floor''.</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/render_archive/status/1445174824553394182 @render_archive]. ''Twitter''.</ref> This early incarnation of Bumper was seemingly colored blue.
{{br|left}}


==History==
==History==
===''Diddy Kong Racing'' series===
===Concept and creation===
[[File:Bumper.jpg|thumb|Bumper, driving his kart in ''Diddy Kong Racing''.]]
[[File:BumperOG.png|thumb|left|Early model for a blue Bumper]]
====''Diddy Kong Racing''====
An early design of Bumper was shared online by [[Kevin Bayliss]], former [[Rare Ltd.|Rare]] graphic and character designer that worked on ''Diddy Kong Racing''.<ref>{{cite|author=TCRF|url=tcrf.net/Development:Diddy_Kong_Racing|title=Development:Diddy Kong Racing|publisher=The Cutting Room Floor}}</ref><ref>{{cite|url=x.com/render_archive/status/1445174824553394182|title=Some diddy kong racing test renders shared by kev bayliss on tik tok|author=@render_archive|publisher=X|accessdate=April 4, 2024}}</ref>{{better source}} This early incarnation of Bumper was seemingly colored blue.
Bumper was one of many characters contacted by [[Timber]] in ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'', in order to prevent [[Wizpig]] from taking over [[Timber's Island]]. Bumper's theme instrument on the character selection menu is a {{wp|steel guitar}}.  
{{br|left}}
 
===''Diddy Kong Racing'' / ''Diddy Kong Racing DS''===
Bumper has average speed, acceleration, and turning abilities. His top speed without bananas is 56.5 mph, like with [[Conker]] and Timber. His vehicle color is yellow.
Bumper was one of many characters whom [[Timber]] contacted for help to stop [[Wizpig]] from taking over [[Timber's Island]]. Bumper's theme instrument on the character selection menu is a {{wp|steel guitar}}. Bumper has average speed, acceleration, and turning abilities. His top speed without bananas is 56.5 mph, like with [[Conker]] and Timber. His vehicle color is yellow. Bumper had very few changes in the Nintendo DS remake, such as a more matured voice.
 
====''Diddy Kong Racing DS''====
Bumper returns for the remake, ''[[Diddy Kong Racing DS]]'', with very slight changes, including having a more mature voice.


===''Mario no Bōken Land''===
===''Mario no Bōken Land''===
[[File:BumperBoken.jpg|thumb|100px|left|Bumper in ''Mario no Bōken Land'']]
Bumper makes a small non-speaking cameo in the ''Diddy Kong Racing'' segment of ''[[Mario no Bōken Land]]'', titled "Go Go Diddy!". He is shown competing in a race, in his car, in second place.
Bumper makes a small non-speaking cameo in the ''Diddy Kong Racing'' segment of, ''[[Mario no Bōken Land]]'', titled "Go Go Diddy!". He is shown competing in a race, in his car, in second place.


===''4-koma Gag Battle''===
===''4-koma Gag Battle''===
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His ''Diddy Kong Racing'' artwork appears as a stamp in ''[[Mario Artist: Paint Studio]]''.
His ''Diddy Kong Racing'' artwork appears as a stamp in ''[[Mario Artist: Paint Studio]]''.
{{br|left}}
{{br|left}}
===Unused appearances===
A "Dark" version of Bumper would have appeared in the ''[[Diddy Kong Racing Adventure]]'', which was a rejected pitch for a ''Diddy Kong Racing'' sequel. He would have used mud tornadoes as his special move.


==Profile and statistics==
==Profile and statistics==
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==Gallery==
==Gallery==
===Artwork===
{{main-gallery}}
<gallery>
<gallery>
Bumper0.png|''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]''
Bumper.jpg|''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]''
Bummper.png|''Diddy Kong Racing''
DKRJPNC.png|''Diddy Kong Racing'' (Japanese commercial)
Bumper2.png|''Diddy Kong Racing''
BumperBoken.jpg|''[[Mario no Bōken Land]]''
Bumper DKR art.png|''Diddy Kong Racing''
Bumper and Nintendo logo DKR.jpg|''Diddy Kong Racing''
Tiptup and Bumper with Rareware logo.jpg|''Diddy Kong Racing''
Wizpig and racers DKR.jpg|''Diddy Kong Racing'' group artwork
DKRScene4.jpg|''Diddy Kong Racing'', Bumper and Tiptup
Bumper DKRDS art.jpg|''Diddy Kong Racing DS''
Bumper DKRDS.png|''Diddy Kong Racing DS''
Group DKRDS.jpg|''Diddy Kong Racing DS''
</gallery>
 
===Screenshots and sprites===
<gallery>
Character Selection DKR.png|Bumper on the character selection menu
DKR64 CrescentIsland2.jpg|Bumper in [[Crescent Island]]
DKRJPNC.png|Cast of ''Diddy Kong Racing'', Japanese commercial
Bumper-CSS-DKR.png|''Diddy Kong Racing'' icon
DKRDS icon Bumper.png|''Diddy Kong Racing DS'' icon
</gallery>
 
===Scans===
<gallery>
BoukenLand5.jpg|''[[Mario no Bōken Land]]''
Bumper4k.png|''[[4-koma Gag Battle]]''
Bumper4k.png|''[[4-koma Gag Battle]]''
Bumper DKRDS art.jpg|''[[Diddy Kong Racing DS]]''
</gallery>
</gallery>


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|JapR=Banpā
|JapR=Banpā
|JapM=Bumper
|JapM=Bumper
|Fre=Bumper<ref>{{cite|url=www.nintendo64ever.com/Scans-Magazine,52,Le-Magazine-Officiel-Nintendo-03.html|title=Official Nintendo french magazine N3|page=25}}</ref>
}}
}}
==Trivia==
*A "Dark" version of Bumper would have appeared in ''[[Diddy Kong Racing Adventure]]'', which was a rejected pitch for a ''Diddy Kong Racing'' sequel. He would have used mud tornados as his special move.


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 22:05, April 4, 2024

Bumper
Bumper's artwork from Diddy Kong Racing DS.
Bumper, as he appears in Diddy Kong Racing DS
Full name Bumper the Badger
Species Badger
First appearance Diddy Kong Racing (1997)
Latest appearance Diddy Kong Racing DS (2007)
Portrayed by Lee Schuneman[1]
“Badgers don't stink, no matter what anyone else says.”
Bumper, Nintendo Power[2]

Bumper is a badger and one of the playable characters in Diddy Kong Racing and its Nintendo DS remake. He also appeared in various Super Mario media released only in Japan, but this stopped in 2002, when the rights of Bumper were transferred to Microsoft, following their acquisition of Rare Ltd.

He is described across multiple supplemental material to Diddy Kong Racing as a lover of speed, thrills and races. A promotional e-mail by Rare Ltd. in 2004 to promote the release of Conker: Live & Reloaded implied that one of the racers from Diddy Kong Racing had been jailed.[3] An instance on the Rare Ltd. website in 2012 further confirmed that the imprisoned individual in question had been "Bumper the badger".[4] A tweet made by Rare Ltd. in 2021 in response to a joke made by the Super Mario Wiki account on X added that Bumper at some point in time was put on parole, and that he was superficially apologetic for his actions.[5]

History

Concept and creation

Early model for a blue Bumper

An early design of Bumper was shared online by Kevin Bayliss, former Rare graphic and character designer that worked on Diddy Kong Racing.[6][7][better source needed] This early incarnation of Bumper was seemingly colored blue.

Diddy Kong Racing / Diddy Kong Racing DS

Bumper was one of many characters whom Timber contacted for help to stop Wizpig from taking over Timber's Island. Bumper's theme instrument on the character selection menu is a steel guitar. Bumper has average speed, acceleration, and turning abilities. His top speed without bananas is 56.5 mph, like with Conker and Timber. His vehicle color is yellow. Bumper had very few changes in the Nintendo DS remake, such as a more matured voice.

Mario no Bōken Land

Bumper makes a small non-speaking cameo in the Diddy Kong Racing segment of Mario no Bōken Land, titled "Go Go Diddy!". He is shown competing in a race, in his car, in second place.

4-koma Gag Battle

Bumper appears throughout the 4-koma Gag Battle manga adaptation of Diddy Kong Racing.

Mario Artist: Paint Studio

His Diddy Kong Racing artwork appears as a stamp in Mario Artist: Paint Studio.

Unused appearances

A "Dark" version of Bumper would have appeared in the Diddy Kong Racing Adventure, which was a rejected pitch for a Diddy Kong Racing sequel. He would have used mud tornadoes as his special move.

Profile and statistics

Diddy Kong Racing

  • Character stats
    • Weight: Middle
    • Acceleration: 2.5/5
    • Handling: 2.5/5
    • Top Speed: 3/5
    • Vehicle Color: Yellow
  • Instruction booklet bio (page 24): "(Medium acceleration, medium weight, good handling, medium top speed) Unlike most of his kind, Bumper the badger prefers speed and thrills to a quiet nocturnal lifestyle. He gets even more worked up than his friends when he realizes how much racing and excitement will be involved in the crusade to get rid of Wizpig..."
  • Player's Guide (page 6): "Recruited by Timber to join the resistance against Wizpig, this burly badger is ready to take on all comers. It’s not just his sense of justice that’s spurring him on, though. He’s in it as much for the sheer thrill of racing as anything else."
  • Nintendo Power Volume 103 (page 15): "Bumper the badger breaks from the time-honored badger traditions of burrowing and sleeping twenty hours a day. This fellow lives for speed. Although all his starts put him in the middle range, he has good handling in every vehicle. With Bumper, you may never need to choose another driver."
  • Diddy's Drivers Ed: "Bumper's a light-heavyweight who does well on courses where there isn't a lot of turning required. His handling is slightly better than Conker's, but his acceleration is not as good."
  • Nintendo 64 Game Secrets, 1999 Edition Prima's Official Strategy Guide (page 36): "Trending toward the heavy end of the weight spectrum, Bumper suffers from slightly sluggish handling and lower-than-average acceleration (but not by much). On the plus side, he’s got a higher top speed than any animal but Banjo or Krunch. His added weight and relatively midground attributes make him a good candidate for any Hover race, especially as long as there are no extremely tight corners."
  • Rarewhere: "Unlike most of his kind, Bumper the badger prefers speed and thrills to a quiet nocturnal lifestyle, and he gets even more worked up than his friends when he realises how much racing and excitement will be involved in the crusade to get rid of old snout-face Wizpig!"

Diddy Kong Racing DS

  • Character stats
    • Speed: 3/5
    • Acceleration: 2/5
    • Handling: 3/5

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Bumper (character).

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning
Japanese バンパー
Banpā
Bumper

French Bumper[8]
-

References

  1. ^ (April 2013). GamesTM Issue 134 ("The 25 Greatest Nintendo Games"). Page 58.
  2. ^ (November 1997). Nintendo Power Volume 102. Nintendo of America. Page 29.
  3. ^ Conker's Public Address. The Next Level. Retrieved December 3, 2017. (Archived August 4, 2008, 09:49:26 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
  4. ^ Rare Mini-Scribes: May 18, 2012. Retrieved December 3, 2017. (Archived February 10, 2014, 12:13:09 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
  5. ^ "Oh, Bumper's been a free badger (well, on parole) for a while now and he's superficially sorry for all those bad things he did." – RareLtd (October 6, 2021). X. Retrieved October 6, 2021. (Archived October 6, 2021, 19:39:31 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
  6. ^ TCRF. Development:Diddy Kong Racing. The Cutting Room Floor.
  7. ^ @render_archive. Some diddy kong racing test renders shared by kev bayliss on tik tok. X. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  8. ^ Official Nintendo french magazine N3. Page 25.