Conker's Bad Fur Day

"Mario likes mushrooms and Conker likes beer."

If there was one thing that the N64 was good for, it was platform games. Starting with Super Mario 64, Nintendo had tons of platform games released for their system. However, towards the end of the systems lifespan, some of these platform games were losing their edge. They were basically the same old, same old, until Rare released Conker's Bad Fur Day. This game was a perfect addition to the N64 library, and it was a fine ending to the N64 in 2001. It also gave us some hope that not all platform games had to follow the Mario 64 style.

What was so different about Conker's Bad Fur Day? Well first, it was made by Rare. Everyone knows that the N64 would have been sunk without Rare's games. Their quality is only matched by Nintendo themselves. The other difference about Conker's Bad Fur Day was that it was rated mature. I know what you're thinking? How can a platform game, with a cute squirrel, be rated mature? Well, Conker isn't your average squirrel. He drinks beer, uses foul language, burps, throws up all the time, and has an array of wisecracks. Yes, while most platform characters are cute, and Conker is too by the way, Conker is also way different. Let's just say that he isn't afraid to say it how it is.

The first thing to realize about this game is that it isn't your basic platform game. There are no stars or jiggy pieces to collect. Instead you simply advance threw each of the games levels collecting money. Collecting the money allows Conker access to certain levels in the game. Controlling Conker is very easy. The camera is perfect. It never moves behind Conker, and never impedes his movement. Swimming under water is much different. When you are underwater, the camera sometimes goes crazy, and it will cause several under the sea deaths. The other problem is that the game is a bit too hard. Some of the levels such as the "It's War" level are brutal. I think that this was done to scare off little kids from playing this game. Still, the basic strategy is to learn enemy level placement and their patterns. Conker uses several weapons such as a frying pan, shotgun, and machine gun in order to complete his quest.

The story is very funny. It starts off in a bar. Conker is drinking beer with his friends. He gets so drunk that he passes out in the woods, and can't remember how to get home. He knows his girlfriend Berri, will be pretty mad, so his main objective is to get home quickly. The main enemy is called the Fairy Panther King, but his story really doesn't become very clear until the end of the game.

The graphics could be the best on the N64. Honestly, Conker's Bad Fur Day looks like a game from the Gamecube. Each environment has wonderful detail and has brilliant colors. As for the sound, this game has some pretty catchy tunes. The music is your basic Rare style music but with a bit of adult comedy flare to it.

Sadly there aren't any hidden features to this game. Yes there is a multiplayer deathmatch mode, but there isn't much to do after you beat the game. Still the game is very funny, but sometimes I would rather just watch the cutscenes instead, just to see some of the humor. The game is also pretty short so going threw the game several times won't take too long. This game is a sheer joy, and going threw the game several times is great.

In conclusion, I'm very glad that this game came out. The N64, and the platform genre needed a game like this. It still contains all of the quality aspects of a Rare game, but offers something completely different as well. I know that the best moments of the game are the opening scene. Not only is it funny, but you immediately feel a connection to Conker. So do I advise a purchase? If you can find this game somewhere, it's worth it. In addition, the game is also pretty rare as well. I would like to say that this game offered one of my favorite video game moments ever. After the opening scene, you take control of Conker. He's drunk, makes funny remarks, and hiccups his way around. He barfs, and keeps uttering the phrase "I feel sick". Nothing could be cooler than that. One thing that kind of makes me upset is that because Conker's Bad Fur Day was released so late in the N64's lifespan, the game didn't sell that well. Oh, well! I'm happy that I got this game, and along with Banjo-Tooie, Conker's Bad Fur Day was a fine addition to my game collection at the end of the N64's lifespan. If you can't track down a copy of Conker's Bad Fur Day, my advice would be to get Conker: Live and Reloaded for the Xbox. Either way every gamer has to play this game. What are you waiting for? Get out there and dive into the wonderful world of Conker; a world full of beer, profanity, and of course girls!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 01/24/05, Updated 02/02/06