The Squirrel's Tail

Lore & Background

The game is set in the Fairy Panther King's Kingdom. The Panther King, ruler of the land, finds that his throne's side table is missing one of its legs and orders his servant, Professor Von Kriplespac, to solve the problem. Von Kriplespac suggests using a red squirrel as the fourth leg. Conker, lost after a night of drinking, seeks to return home to Berri but becomes sidetracked by cash rewards.

He encounters various characters and situations, including the Great Mighty Poo, Don Weaso, and Count Batula. Eventually, Conker finds Berri, and they attempt to rob the Feral Reserve Bank, but it is a trap set by the Panther King. Berri is shot by Weaso on the Panther King's orders and dies. The Panther King then has chest pains, and a creature bursts out of his chest, killing him.

Von Kriplespac reveals the creature is one of his creations. The source ends with Conker opening an airlock, but does not specify the outcome for Kriplespac or the creature.

Reader's Guide

Conker's Bad Fur Day is a platform game with later shooter elements. The player controls Conker through 3D levels. An overworld allows travel between levels, many blocked until Conker earns cash. Gameplay involves completing linear challenges for cash rewards. Conker can run, jump, smack enemies with a frying pan, swim underwater, climb, and push objects. He regains health by eating 'anti-gravity' chocolate. Context-sensitive pads grant temporary abilities. The multiplayer mode supports up to four players in seven game types: Beach, Raptor, Heist, War, Tank, Race, and Deathmatch.

Did You Know?

• The game was originally titled Twelve Tales: Conker 64 and intended for a family audience before being reworked for mature audiences.
• Development lasted four years, with concepts originating during the development of Killer Instinct Gold in 1996.
• The game received critical acclaim but sold below expectations due to limited advertising and a late release in the Nintendo 64's life cycle.
• A remake, Conker: Live & Reloaded, was released for Xbox in 2005, and the original was included in Rare Replay for Xbox One in 2015.