Clay Fighter 63 1/3 – Nintendo 64 (1997)

ClayFighter 63 1/3 is a 2D fighting game for the Nintendo 64 that serves as a parody of the genre’s heavy hitters like Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, and Killer Instinct. The story is set on the Isle of Klaymodo, where the villainous Dr. Kiln and voodoo priest Happy Harry Houngan attempt to conquer the world using a mutagenic meteor named “Bessie.” The plot kicks off when a group of eclectic characters—including returning favourites like Bad Mr. Frosty and guest stars like Earthworm Jim and Boogerman—wash ashore after their ship capsizes. Gameplay features unique “Claymation” 2D sprites fighting in 3D arenas, utilizing a humorous combo system with names like “Itty Bitty Combo” and finishing moves known as “Claytalities.”
Despite its charmingly weird aesthetic and impressive voice cast (featuring talent from Animaniacs), the game received mostly negative reviews from critics. It was widely panned for its sluggish controls, frequent input lag, and unrefined AI that often devolved matches into mindless button-mashing. While praised for its catchy, whimsical soundtrack and creative character designs, the technical shortcomings were significant enough that Interplay eventually released an updated, rental-only version titled ClayFighter: Sculptor’s Cut to address some of the original’s flaws.