Feat. Game 03.06.2005 - Shaq-Fu

[Lord Nepenthean]

Shaq-Fu

[img width=145 align=right]http://www.rfgeneration.com/images/games/U-040/bf/U-040-S-05110-A.jpg[/img]Week: 2005.03.06 - 2005.03.12
Game: Shaq-Fu
Console: Sega Genesis
Year: 1994
RFG ID #: U-040-S-05110-A
Part #: 728301
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Delphine Software International
Genre: Fighting
Players: 1-2
Format: Cartridge

Game page address: http://www.rfgeneration.c...l?ID=U-040-S-05110-A&
Screenshots: http://www.rfgeneration.c...hot.pl?ID=U-040-S-05110-A

As you may have noticed, this week's featured game is everyone's favorite, Shaq-Fu.  Released for your favorite home consoles (Genesis and SNES) as well as for your handheld systems too (Game Gear and GameBoy), Shaq-Fu is often considered the worst game ever made.  Does it deserve this reputation?  Or, is it simply scoffed at because it was a game whose sales were fueled by a Shaq-crazed country, but underneath the marketing is a real gem?  

This topic is to discuss this week's featured game.  Anything related to the game goes.  You may want to voice your opinions on how terrible or how great it is, its collectability (or lack thereof), any fun facts you may have about it, or even how it relates to the great movie Kazaam.  Okay, so scratch that last one, but you get the idea.  In particular, the Sega Genesis version is being highlighted this week, but discussion about any of the incarnations of this important (sic) game may be discussed  in this thread.

So, any thoughts?

[Izret101]

When i was younger i thought this game was great.
Beat it a few times with each character.

My mom sold it with all the rest of our Genesis stuff though.

4 years later i hear everyone talking about how terrible of a game it was.
After repurchasing it and playing it i never before realized how terrible of a game it was compared to so many other games in its genre.

[den68]

I just played through the game in easy mode. The dialogue was awful to point of being comical. Some of the characters looked allright as did the backgrounds but Shaq sure looked out of place. Maybe it was the shorts and basketball jersey.

I also found it quite amusing how he's go into each round with a little Bruce Lee stance and when he won he'd do the jogging in place boxing move.

I didn't expect much of a challenge playing in easy, but it was way easy. Just pin a guy in a corner and use one attack to finish off. The only slight challenge was Sett Ra and only because he jumped around a lot.

I do have to admit that I prefer Shaq Fu over Shaq's other side projects like the bad movies and rap albums. He must not have been keeping up on his Shaq Fu training as the Pistons pretty much ran over him in the finals last year.

[danvx6]

All I remember are the horrible controls and that there seemed to be a lack of special moves.

[Lord Nepenthean]

4 years later i hear everyone talking about how terrible of a game it was.
After repurchasing it and playing it i never before realized how terrible of a game it was compared to so many other games in its genre.

So do you consider it bad now or still like it in a weird way because of the nostalgia factor?  That's kinda what happened to me with several of the games I played as a kid and liked without realizing how terrible they were....  but I still like them now for the nostalgia.

@Den, Dan - I couldn't agree more.  The graphics really were very nice, but everything else is just bad.  Dialogue, controls, design.  Seriously, what were they thinking?  A basketball player doing kung-fu?  Totally weird and totally bizarre.

Worst game ever?  Not by a long shot (heh heh).  But, it's definitely not the kind of game I would pick to take with me on a deserted island.

[thx1138]

I've never played it, altough I have it.

[Izret101]

So do you consider it bad now or still like it in a weird way because of the nostalgia factor?  That's kinda what happened to me with several of the games I played as a kid and liked without realizing how terrible they were....  but I still like them now for the nostalgia.

i don't think it is as bad as everyone makes it out to be. There are much worse gamsout than it.

I probably like it more than i would if i had never played it as a kid so it does hold that certain nostalgia that keeps me from hating it too much.

I should probably give it another try seeing as i only remembered 10 characters in the game and recently found that there were 12.

I haven't beat it in years. When i owned it when i was younger i beat it with everyone multiple times.

I do remember thinkning the script was stupid but as a kid it made it funny.
It was also fun the first times i played it to say i beat the game only kicking or punching or some other silly task i would decide to try.

[Lord Nepenthean]

Here's something pretty frightening that I just found today.

http://www.shaqfu.org/

Somebody not only runs a "fan site" for this game, but has also made a Shaq-Fu RPG for PC.  I downloaded it, and it plays a lot like a certain SNES-era RPG.  It features such characters as Shaq, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jackson.  I'm not even sure what to think.

[Zimbacca]

Wow.  Just wow.

[Lord Nepenthean]

Did you play it or are you just in shock that such a thing exists?  I guarantee you that if you download that game (free legal download), you will be even more in shock and awe of the things you can find on the internet.  Here's a quote from their web page:

SFA - The Shaq Fu Army

The site you are reading now is created and maintained by the SFA (Shaq Fu Army.) We are a group dedicated to spreading the word of Shaq and his flawless game, Shaq-Fu. We've been going strong for over 2 years, even though many racists have tried to put a stop to us. It is obvious that they do this because they can't handle the fact that a successful black man has a successful game that is loved by many. These people include all in the "Kobe's Love Slaves" section, the moderators of Gamefaqs.com, the KKK(obviously this includes the moderators of gamefaqs), and anime geeks. However, the word of Shaq will continue to be spread, no matter what.

Generally, the SFA can be found spreading the word on the Gamefaqs Shaq-Fu Genesis message board, although many legitimate topics there are deleted due to moderator bigotry. Also, many Shaqinites can be found at Gamestop locations nationwide, seeking out precious copies of Shaq Fu for their collections. Shaq Fu and SFA matters are also discussed on the official SFA message board. We're always looking for new Shaqinites, so don't hesistate to go to any of those locations and Shaq it up.

[Zimbacca]

Just that it exsists.  I'm going to download the game when I get home.

[tholly]

for how much people talk about this game....i really think i need to pick it up and give it a shot....just to say i have played it

[Lord Nepenthean]

Yeah, you probably should.  It can be had for $2 or $3 I would think, so even if you don't play it much (you won't), it will be one more game added to your collection count.

[Izret101]

The Genesis version goes for 1 dolar complete around here.
SNES is a buck loose i think.
The only copmplete SNES copy i have seen is also sealed and they want 10 bucks for it.