#rakugakids

JP release: 23rd July 1998

PAL release: 4th December 1998

NA release: N/A

Developer: Konami

Publisher: Konami

N64 Magazine Score: 80%

Rakugakids is odd in that it came out in Japan and Europe – but not North America. It’s a 1-on-1 fighting game where magic crayons have brought the creations of children to life. This created a fun cast of inventive characters – showing Clayfighter that something fun can be done with its concept – these fighters even change shape as they perform moves.

It has a really lovely visual style, and some neat touches like shadows and a stage that features a mirror. The fighting itself it a ton of fun, and I’m not someone that enjoys the genre. There are a lot of moves for each characters – the moves reminded me of Super Smash Bros in a way.

The presentation and how much fun it is to play – even the movement and jumping feels extremely fluid – makes this one of the N64’s standout fighting games, which is a nice change for a platform littered with poor examples.

The way fighting works has obviously been carefully thought out, and belies Rakuga Kid’s image as a novelty title.

- Martin Kitts, N64 Magazine 22

Remake or remaster?

A crisper looking version of Rakugakids would be lovely to see.

Official ways to get the game.