Shaq Fu returns with 'A Legend Reborn' on Indiegogo

For over twenty years, NBA star, professional basketball player, and legend Shaquille O’Neal was at the top his game and arguably one of the biggest names that sports and entertainment had in common. 

In fact, March 6th saw the “Shaq” and Superman fan celebrate his 42nd Birthday, and looking back at his extensive career,  he touched on a lot of platforms beyond the ballcourt, including TV Shows, Movies, and yes even video games.

To that end, there was a build-up and demand for playable merchandise and material based on the proball player’s likeness, and Electronic Arts responded by delivering what is arguably one of the worst video games of all time – “Shaq Fu”.  

 

 

Released during the onset of the “Console Wars” era of the 90’s, Shaq Fu was a 2D fighting game that saw Shaq wandering into a kung fu dojo in Japan while on tour for a charity basketball game in the country. From there, he heads into another dimension to rescue a boy named Nezu from the evil clutches of the mummy Sett-Ra. 

Initially released for the Sega Genesis and Super NES in 1994, Shaq Fu eventually made its way to the Game Gear, Game Boy, and Amiga. However, critics and players alike gave the game some negative reviews, and even inspired some parodies and movements, including a website called “Shaqfu.com” that was specially created to eliminate copies of the game from existence.

Now it appears that an actual sequel is coming, as Shaquille O’Neal himself has confirmed that Big Deez Productions is working on “Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn”. An Indiegogo campaign for the game has been launched, and $450,000 dollars is needed to make the game a reality. Shaq himself is helping out with the campaign and marketing, which sees exclusive content, two floor seats to an NBA game with the Sacramento Kings, signed Shaq merchandise, and a chance to play with the big man himself at his house being given out.

 

Those worried that the game will be a rehash of the old “1 vs 1” style Shaq Fu can rest easy, as the team of developers working on the game have decided to forego that and make it a “classic beat ‘em up game” that plays like “Streets of Rage meets Street Fighter meets Devil May Cry”. Players can learn lots of moves and use different types of weapons, and can allow co-op and competitive play between friends.

 

The deadline for the“Shaq Fu” sequel crowdfunding is until April 20. For more info, visit the Indiegogo page. — TJD/VC, GMA News