Rare Celebrates Conker's 20th Anniversary With New Merch
In 2001, the Nintendo 64 console was being phased out. All eyes were on the N64's successor system, the GameCube, and many developers shifted their attention to developing games for it as well as the PS2 and original Xbox. However, Rare released one last big game for the Nintendo 64 in 2001 as a sort of swan song for the console in the form of Conker's Bad Fur Day, an M-rated cult hit that ripped 3D platformers and pop culture to shreds with its unapologetically vulgar satire.
Conker's Bad Fur Day was a hit with critics when it launched in 2001, earning widespread acclaim for its sense of humor, funny story, varied campaign gameplay, and addicting split-screen multiplayer options. Despite this, Conker's Bad Fur Day still has not had a proper sequel 20 years after its original launch. And while there is still no news on a Conker's Bad Fur Day sequel, Rare did acknowledge the big anniversary in some way, at least.
The new Conker's Bad Fur Day merch includes a t-shirt with the foul-mouthed squirrel's likeness, as well as a face mask that includes the random characters used for the game's in-text censorship of swear words. All of these merchandise items are available through Rare's online store now.
While Conker's Bad Fur Day has never had a proper sequel, Conker himself has made some other video game appearances throughout the years. In 2005, a remaster of the game called Conker: Live & Reloaded was released for the Xbox, giving it a significant visual upgrade and completely reworking the multiplayer component. Then in 2015, the original Conker's Bad Fur Day made the jump to modern Xbox consoles through the Rare Replay collection.
Some of Conker's other post-Bad Fur Day appearances have not been as well-received, however. The Project Spark creation game featured some Conker-related content, but that game was eventually shut down before its Conker's Big Reunion story could even wrap up. Microsoft also revealed a Young Conker project for its HoloLens device, but that was met with severe criticism from the community.
Whether or not Conker will ever make a proper return remains to be seen. Right now, Rare is busy releasing new content for its Sea of Thieves pirate game as well as working on its first next-generation title, Everwild. Head of Xbox Phil Spencer has said that it's up to Rare if a Conker's Bad Fur Day sequel is made, but so far, the company has made no indication that it plans on making one. Fans will have to make due with the original to celebrate Conker's 20th anniversary.
Conker's Bad Fur Day is out now for Nintendo 64.
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