2008 Woodie Awards
Classic Review: Conker's Bad Fur Day
Kirsten Bussanich
Issue date: 11/3/04 Section: Arts & Entertainment
- Page 1 of 2 next >
One of the crudest, most violent video games ever created does not involve stealing cars, killing prostitutes, or annihilating demons with a sawed-off shotgun. It does not star the leader of a corrupt city's criminal underworld or the rightful heir to Satan's throne. The main character of one of the most depraved video games in history is a squirrel.
Conker's Bad Fur Day (Rare Ltd./Nintendo 64) premiered in March of 2001. In it, the gamer takes control of an adorable, loveable little squirrel. The character of Conker made his first appearance in the most innocent of Nintendo games, Diddy Kong Racing, although very little was revealed about his true character in that game. It just so happens that Conker the squirrel has a very dirty mouth, an even dirtier mind, and a desire for alcohol to rival that of any college student. Conker's happy-go-lucky existence is disturbed after a typical night out at the bar. After having one too many and passing out drunk, he awakens to a bizarre world much unlike his own. Now his only goal is to get back to normalcy and his girlfriend, Berri.
As a very well-made addition to the platformer genre, Conker's BFD has it all. Levels, and particularly boss battles, are very diverse. Controls are simple and solid, making this a title that gamers of all experience levels can enjoy. Playing this game is just plain fun. Multiplayer is also very well executed. Up to four players can compete in various tasks, the most entertaining being the competitive elimination, where each gamer is out for him/her self. Game play is also very graphic and bloody, especially for cartoon characters.
Now, controls and game play are very important to a platformer, and this game has those areas well-covered. The real reason for buying this game, however, is the side-splitting humor packed into every moment of game play. (By the way, here is fair warning: the humor in this game revolves around drinking, sex, and unpleasant bodily functions. If that fact combined with the innocent look of a cartoon squirrel does not strike you as being quite right, then do not bother picking up this game.) There are many stand-out moments, and playing this game is often like watching a really good episode of South Park. More than once the words "How can they actually get away with that?" will spill out of your mouth.
Conker's Bad Fur Day (Rare Ltd./Nintendo 64) premiered in March of 2001. In it, the gamer takes control of an adorable, loveable little squirrel. The character of Conker made his first appearance in the most innocent of Nintendo games, Diddy Kong Racing, although very little was revealed about his true character in that game. It just so happens that Conker the squirrel has a very dirty mouth, an even dirtier mind, and a desire for alcohol to rival that of any college student. Conker's happy-go-lucky existence is disturbed after a typical night out at the bar. After having one too many and passing out drunk, he awakens to a bizarre world much unlike his own. Now his only goal is to get back to normalcy and his girlfriend, Berri.
As a very well-made addition to the platformer genre, Conker's BFD has it all. Levels, and particularly boss battles, are very diverse. Controls are simple and solid, making this a title that gamers of all experience levels can enjoy. Playing this game is just plain fun. Multiplayer is also very well executed. Up to four players can compete in various tasks, the most entertaining being the competitive elimination, where each gamer is out for him/her self. Game play is also very graphic and bloody, especially for cartoon characters.
Now, controls and game play are very important to a platformer, and this game has those areas well-covered. The real reason for buying this game, however, is the side-splitting humor packed into every moment of game play. (By the way, here is fair warning: the humor in this game revolves around drinking, sex, and unpleasant bodily functions. If that fact combined with the innocent look of a cartoon squirrel does not strike you as being quite right, then do not bother picking up this game.) There are many stand-out moments, and playing this game is often like watching a really good episode of South Park. More than once the words "How can they actually get away with that?" will spill out of your mouth.