UK developer, Rare, has always had a reputation as one of the world’s finest producers of games, and not without reason. Loyal to Nintendo, and only Nintendo, Rare has also been known for its tendency to develop cute-looking games, believed to target a younger audience. Perhaps this stems from being with Nintendo for too long, who can say? Eager to escape this common consensus, Conker’s Bad Fur Day comes along, and oh my God! it’s a shocker. So much so that Nintendo themselves refused to pub ... more >>

UK developer, Rare, has always had a reputation as one of the world’s finest producers of games, and not without reason. Loyal to Nintendo, and only Nintendo, Rare has also been known for its tendency to develop cute-looking games, believed to target a younger audience. Perhaps this stems from being with Nintendo for too long, who can say? Eager to escape this common consensus, Conker’s Bad Fur Day comes along, and oh my God! it’s a shocker. So much so that Nintendo themselves refused to publish the game, and so the duty went to THQ, the company responsible for bringing us the mighty WWF Smackdown series.

On his 21st birthday, Conker gets absolutely faced before throwing up all over the street outside the local pub. Waking up in a strange place, and extremely hungover, Conker struggles to find his way home, only to find that the Evil Teddy Bears have overrun the land. Conker is not amused, and embarks upon an explicit quest of puking and excreting with attitude.

Oh dear, Rare has been naughty. While the story of the game is tailored to suit an immature adult audience, Rare hasn’t let its ability to produce a fabulous game slip. As the company’s last Nintendo 64 game, it is without a doubt, the most accomplished product in the history of the platform. Environments are amazingly lush and beautiful, but this is where the cutesy stuff stops. As you progress, you’ll come across foul-mouthed little blighters that rival even Conker’s filthy outbursts, not to mention giant mountains of poo and evil Panther Kings. Conker’s Bad Fur Day is a platform game through and through. Conker has all the usual abilities, run, jump and punch, as well as being able to use his tail for a little extra flight, among other things.

What may have been a standard platforming affair by any other software house is in fact, an innovative and hilarious game that has earned itself a well-deserved place in the infamous Rare portfolio.
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