ClayFighter 63 1/3 - A Hilariously Outlandish Claymation Fighting Extravaganza!
Buckle up, fighting game fanatics, because we’re about to delve into a world where absurdity reigns supreme and punches are sculpted from clay. Forget your Ryu and your Ken, your Scorpion and Sub-Zero; today’s champion of the bizarre is none other than ClayFighter 63 1/3, a cult classic that throws conventional fighting game tropes out the window in favor of gloriously gooey mayhem.
Released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) back in 1997, ClayFighter 63 1/3 was developed by Interplay Productions and boasted a roster of hilariously bizarre characters sculpted from claymation. This distinctive art style, reminiscent of classic stop-motion animation, immediately set it apart from the pixelated masses and injected a healthy dose of wacky humor into the genre.
The game’s story, if you can call it that, revolves around a bizarre interdimensional tournament orchestrated by an evil scientist named Dr. Kilgore. This maniacal mastermind has kidnapped several “Claytastic” warriors (as they are affectionately known) from across time and space, pitting them against each other in a gladiatorial contest for…reasons.
Forget nuanced narratives or deeply intertwined character arcs; ClayFighter 63 1/3 embraces its silliness with open arms. The roster features an eclectic mix of combatants, each with their own unique personalities and bizarre backstories. You’ve got:
| Character | Description |
|---|---|
| Bad Mr. Frosty | A sentient snowman with a penchant for ice-based attacks and cheesy one-liners |
| Blob | A gelatinous blob with unpredictable movement patterns and the ability to absorb projectiles |
| Bonker | A hulking, musclebound warrior who’s obsessed with fitness and protein shakes |
And let’s not forget some of the other delightfully deranged contenders: Taunted by a giggling baby (Tiny), a luchador with a penchant for spicy burritos (Hector), a lovelorn robot desperately seeking affection (Lady Liberty), and even a sentient toilet plunger named Pogo. Each character boasts a unique set of moves, allowing for wildly unpredictable battles that are equal parts hilarious and frustrating.
Beyond the claymation charm and outlandish roster, ClayFighter 63 1/3 distinguished itself through its gameplay mechanics. Instead of traditional six-button layouts common to many fighters at the time, the game simplified its control scheme to just four buttons: punch, kick, jump, and block.
This streamlined approach made it more accessible to newcomers while still allowing for a surprising degree of depth. Players could chain together combos, utilize special moves with unique animations (often involving bizarre poses or exaggerated expressions), and even perform stage-specific interactions that added another layer of absurdity to the proceedings.
For instance, you could knock opponents into giant spinning gears on one stage or launch them off cliffs on another.
What Makes ClayFighter 63 1/3 Truly Stand Out?
ClayFighter 63 1/3’s legacy isn’t solely built on its wacky aesthetics and unconventional mechanics. It’s a testament to the developers’ willingness to embrace experimentation and inject humor into a genre often taken far too seriously. The game became a cult classic precisely because it dared to be different, offering an experience that was both refreshingly silly and surprisingly addictive.
Despite its relatively straightforward controls, ClayFighter 63 1/3 still offered a respectable learning curve. Mastering each character’s unique moveset, understanding stage interactions, and anticipating your opponent’s next move required skill and practice. The game rewarded experimentation and encouraged players to embrace the chaos, leading to countless memorable (and often unintentionally hilarious) moments.
While ClayFighter 63 1/3 may not have achieved the mainstream success of its contemporaries, it carved a unique niche for itself within the fighting game genre. Its enduring popularity among fans speaks volumes about its ability to transcend typical conventions and deliver an experience that was both bizarrely compelling and undeniably entertaining.
If you’re looking for a fighting game that breaks the mold and injects a healthy dose of silliness into your gaming session, ClayFighter 63 1/3 is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared for some absurd humor, unpredictable battles, and an experience unlike anything else in the genre.