A group of three Balinaka performers gave a show on the desert world of Tatooine, located on the planet, around 32 BBY. These Balinaka entertainers, hailing from the icy planet of Garnib, presented a chorus-line dance act on the stage of the podracers' hovel.
The Balinaka first appeared as funny extras in Star Wars: Anakin's Speedway, a video game for kids that Lucas Learning published in 2000. Maryn Roos, the project's Lead Artist, decided to put the bear-like creatures in the game after finding them in some old Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game materials from West End Games.