Rumors and leaked t-shirt designs have been floating about on the internet for a while, but Shaq Fu is officially getting a sequel…kind of. Developer Big Deez Productions has launched an official crowd-funding campaign in order to raise money to produce a brand new Shaq Fu. Rather than create a fighting game sequel, Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn will be take the form of modern-day beat-em-ups. Touted as “Streets of Rage meets Street Fighter meets Devil May Cry”, the reboot hopes to offer a complex combat system, with “hundreds of moves”, upgrades, special techniques and melee weapons.
Big Deez claims that Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn will include dynamic levels that feature destructive environments, beautiful visuals, “interesting progression” and boss-arenas. According to the Indiegogo page, players will be able to launch enemies through parts of the environment; furniture, walls and floors can be destroyed, opening up new paths in each level. As Shaq has been upgraded from his 2D sprite, he’s now able to turn just about anything in the world into a projectile weapon. One of the descriptions suggests that if necessary, Shaq could even “hurl that motorcycle on a bunch of enemies at once”.
A Legend Reborn will have co-op gameplay, where the second player can either take control of another Shaq, or other currently unlisted characters. In the main story, every boss that the player defeats will then become a playable character for all modes. In addition to a slew of unlockable items and characters, the player will be able to customize characters, and create their own “fighting style” from a list of moves and techniques.
Big Deez is asking for a minimal goal of $450,000; if this is reached, Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn will release as a PC-exclusive. Stretch goals include a Challenge Mode, additional levels and characters, iOS and Android releases, current-gen and next-gen releases, and handheld versions (3DS, PS Vita).
Those who are interested in contributing to the Shaq Fu crowd-funding campaign can do so at the official Indiegogo page. For $15, contributors will receive a digital PC copy upon release; other tiers offer free DLC “for life”, an Indiegogo-exclusive Limited Edition character, Beta access, and signed memorabilia. Those who are feeling super-generous can even contribute $25,000 for a 2-hour dinner with Shaquille O’Neal himself. As an added bonus, 5% of all contributions will go towards the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
Shaq Fu is an infamous SNES fighting game featuring NBA star Shaquille O’Neal. Despite its legendary status as an awful fighter, the original Shaq Fu has cult-classic status among gamers. Big Deez Productions consists of video game veterans who have collectively worked on such franchises as Street Fighter, Alan Wake, Battlefield and Max Payne.
Some fans have asked for a follow up, and now it seems that we may finally get one….Is the world ready for another Shaq Fu? Leave a comment below!