View source for Conker: Live & Reloaded



{{Infobox video game
| title = Conker: Live & Reloaded
| image = Conker - Live & Reloaded Coverart.png
| developer = [[Rare (company)|Rare]]
| publisher = [[Microsoft Game Studios]]
| designer = Chris Seavor
| programmer = Chris Marlow
| artist = {{ubl|Stephen McFarlane|Peter Hentze|Louise Ridgeway|Brooks Nelson}}
| composer = [[Robin Beanland]]
| series = ''[[Conker (series)|Conker]]''
| platforms = [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]
| released = {{vgrelease|NA|21 June 2005<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burnes |first=Andrew |date=June 3, 2005 |title=''Conker: Live and Reloaded'' Goes Gold |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/06/03/conker-live-and-reloaded-goes-gold |access-date=April 5, 2024 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>|EU|24 June 2005<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 June 2005 |title=Conker Fans…Get Ready to Reload! ''Conker: Live & Reloaded'' Ships to Retail |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/conker-fansget-ready-to-reload-conker-live-reloaded-ships-to-retail |access-date=5 April 2024 |website=[[GamesIndustry]]}}</ref>|AU|7 July 2005<ref>{{Cite web |title=Updated Australian Release List - 04/07/05 |url=http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=2586&sid=ba2a615f3ad38b4d6983ecb8c5b501a6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050709192557/http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=2586&sid=ba2a615f3ad38b4d6983ecb8c5b501a6 |archive-date=July 9, 2005 |access-date=April 5, 2024 |website=PALGN}}</ref>}}
| genre = [[Platformer|Platform]], [[Action-adventure game|action-adventure]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
| caption = North America cover art
}}
'''''Conker: Live & Reloaded''''' is a 2005 [[Platformer|platform game]] developed by [[Rare (company)|Rare]] and published by [[Microsoft Game Studios]] for the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]. It is a [[Video game remake|remake]] of the 2001 game ''[[Conker's Bad Fur Day]]'' for the [[Nintendo 64]], with a new multiplayer mode using [[Xbox Live]] that is different from the original. Development started the moment Rare was bought by Microsoft in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rare-extreme.com/?section=conkerreload&page=conkerinterview.html |title=Interview with Chris Savor: The Voice of Conker at Rare-Extreme |publisher=rare-extreme.com |accessdate=31 May 2016 |url-status=unfit |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019002449/http://www.rare-extreme.com/?section=conkerreload&page=conkerinterview.html |archivedate=19 October 2007 }}</ref> The game was made available as a part of [[Xbox One]]'s backwards compatibility program on 17 April 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-04-10 |title=More Original Xbox Games Coming to Xbox One Backward Compatibility |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2018/04/10/backward-compatibility-april-update/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=Xbox Wire |language=en-US |archive-date=10 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410225303/https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2018/04/10/backward-compatibility-april-update/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Gameplay ==
In terms of the single-player, the gameplay is identical to ''Conker's Bad Fur Day''. Differences are very few, including enemies and new weapons like a baseball bat with nails on it.

=== Multiplayer ===
The multiplayer in ''Live & Reloaded'' uses the same third-person perspective as the single-player game. Multiplayer consists of different game modes such as Capture the Flag or the standard Deathmatch modes. The player may participate as a member of the SHC or the Tediz. As well as a choice of a soldier, the game has a choice of "classes" which significantly affect play style.<ref name="ign review" />

Each class has its own special equipment, special abilities, and physical capabilities, each being designed for a distinct purpose. They are also designed to have advantages against certain classes while being vulnerable to others. For example, the Thermophile's [[flamethrower]] inflicts extreme damage on {{not a typo|Sneeker}}s and Long Rangers, who have less health, but is virtually useless against the high-vitality Demolisher. Each class comes equipped with a primary weapon with unlimited [[ammunition]] (although reloading of the weapon is still required), a limited stock of [[grenade]]s, and at least one special ability. Each class can also choose from several specialist ordnance items and vehicles unique to the class, which can be obtained at stations in team bases (however, an option is available to the host of a server to disable one or both features). Abilities common to all classes are the ability to shoulder all weapons for extra running speed, and a [[spray paint|Spray Can]] that can be used to apply the player's [[Graffiti#Characteristics of common graffiti|avatar image]] to walls to mock human opponents.  Scattered throughout the arenas are yellow Upgrade Orbs, which grant a player more equipment and abilities when obtained. A player loses his upgrade orb upon death, allowing another player to obtain it.

Terminals are found in every mission, usually near a base. Terminals are computers that dispense useful items or vehicles, and can be accessed by a player during the game. When accessed, the player is given a menu of the available items. When an item is chosen it can be picked up at an adjacent dispenser area. The objects received from the terminals disappear upon the death of the player that obtained them. Terminals may be neutral and available to both sides, or under the control of one side. Terminals can be attacked and disabled, but not destroyed. If damaged or disabled, they can be repaired with an arc weld, issued to the Demolisher and Sky Jockey classes. Neutral or enemy-controlled terminals can be hacked with a {{not a typo|Sneeker}}'s hacking device. There are two types of terminals: Specialist Ordinance terminals, and Mobile Units terminals.

==Plot==
{{Main|Conker's Bad Fur Day#Plot}}
The plot of the single-player mode is identical to that of ''Conker's Bad Fur Day'', apart from a [[fourth wall break]] in the tutorial chapter of the game; the anthropomorphic [[gargoyle]] sitting on a bridge Conker has to pass to exit the stage does not fall off the bridge after Conker hits it with a frying pan like he did in the original game. Aware of the original game's plot, Conker asks the gargoyle why it did not fall off the bridge this time. The gargoyle responds that the designers intended to "fool the audience into thinking that the rest of the game would also be different", and as such, that it was not simply a remake. After being told that he will have to try something else, Conker pulls out a baseball bat and strikes the gargoyle on the head, causing it to fall backward and collapse under a boulder dislodged by the impact.

== Development ==
''[[Conker's Bad Fur Day]]'' (2001) was one of the final [[Nintendo 64]] titles, released just after the debut of [[PlayStation 2]] and shortly before the launches of the [[GameCube]] and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]].<ref name = "JXV"/> However, the game's adult humor conflicted with Nintendo's reputation of being a family-friendly brand.<ref name = "GameZone"/><ref name = "JXV"/> The game was not an instant commercial success, attributable to its high price and being released near the end of the console's lifespan.<ref name = "GameZone"/> Rare was purchased by [[Microsoft]] in 2002, with the game being one of Rare's last games on Nintendo consoles. Development started shortly afterwards.

The game was originally titled ''Conker: Live and Uncut'' and was to feature a completely uncensored single-player experience. At some point during the development of the game, this was changed and the game was released with even more censorship to its dialogue than the N64 original..<ref name=":0">{{cite web | url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/04/12/conker-playing-with-yourself | title = Conker: Playing with Yourself | website = IGN | date = 12 April 2005 | first = Hilary | last = Goldstein | access-date = 3 January 2014 | archive-date = 28 January 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160128082202/http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/04/12/conker-playing-with-yourself | url-status = live }}</ref> The censorship included that of some obscenities which were present in the original N64 version (in which only the word "[[fuck]]", its variations and a couple, but not all, uses of the word "[[shit]]" were bleeped out).<ref name=":0" /> This drew criticism from fans of the original, especially as it detracted from comedic highlights such as the "Great Mighty Poo" song in the ''Sloprano'' chapter. This song was also censored on the soundtrack, although Rare once had the uncensored Xbox version of the song on their website.

Like the original, the game received a Mature rating from the [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]] and carried warnings about its content as well as Rare's promotional spoof warnings which advertised the fact that the content of the game was explicitly 'adult'.

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
|GR = 78.98%{{Sfn|Gamerankings}}
|MC = 78/100{{Sfn|Metacritic}}
|1UP=7.5/10<ref>{{cite web|last=Klepek|first=Patrick|date=20 June 2005|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060302163724/http://1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3141575&did=1|archivedate=March 2, 2006|url=http://1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3141575&did=1|title=Conker Live & Reloaded|website=[[1Up.com]]|accessdate=14 July 2021}}</ref>
|4P=85%<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Krosta|first=Michael|date=29 July 2005|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414011946/http://www.4players.de/4players.php/dispbericht_fazit/XBox/Test/Fazit_Wertung/XBox/3526/3784/Conker_Live__Reloaded.html|archivedate=14 April 2018|url=http://www.4players.de/4players.php/dispbericht_fazit/XBox/Test/Fazit_Wertung/XBox/3526/3784/Conker_Live__Reloaded.html|title=Test: Conker: Live & Reloaded|language=de|website=[[4Players]]|accessdate=12 July 2021}}</ref>
|Edge = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine | title = Conker: Live & Reloaded | magazine = [[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] | issue = 152 | date = August 2005 | page = 93 | author = Edge staff}}</ref>
|EGM = 6.67/10<ref>{{cite magazine | title = Conker: Live & Reloaded | magazine = [[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] | issue = 194 | date = August 2005 | page = 115 | author = EGM staff}}</ref>
|EuroG = 4/10<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/ss_conkerlive_x | title = Conker: Live & Reloaded Review | website = [[Eurogamer]] | accessdate = 4 January 2014 | date = 27 July 2005 | first = Kristan | last = Reed | archive-date = 11 August 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140811205947/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/ss_conkerlive_x | url-status = live }}</ref>
|Fam = 28/40<ref name="Fam">{{cite web | author = Khalid-S | date = 22 June 2005 | title = this week Famitsu Reviews | url = https://www.neogaf.com/threads/this-week-famitsu-reviews.52724/ |url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210710181107/https://www.neogaf.com/threads/this-week-famitsu-reviews.52724/ | archive-date = 10 July 2021 | access-date = 10 July 2021 | website = [[NeoGAF]]}}</ref>
|GI = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200508/R05.0819.1909.37588.htm | title = Conker: Live & Reloaded | magazine = [[Game Informer]] | access-date = 4 January 2014 | issue = 148 | date = August 2005 | page = 103 | first = Andrew | last = Reiner | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090704120544/http://gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200508/R05.0819.1909.37588.htm | archive-date = 4 July 2009 | url-status = dead}}</ref>
|GameRev = B<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/conker058-live-a | title = Conker: Live and Reloaded Review | publisher = [[Game Revolution]] | accessdate = 4 January 2014 | date = 23 June 2005 | first = Joe | last = Dodson | archive-date = 9 September 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150909082818/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/conker058-live-a | url-status = live }}</ref>
|GSpot = 8.3/10<ref name="gamespot review">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/conker-live-and-reloaded-review/1900-6127842/ | title = Conker: Live and Reloaded Review | website = [[GameSpot]] | first = Alex | last = Navarro | date = 21 June 2005 | accessdate = 3 January 2014 | archive-date = 8 December 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131208060304/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/conker-live-and-reloaded-review/1900-6127842/ | url-status = live }}</ref>
|GSpy = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="GSpy"/>
|GameZone = 9/10<ref name = "GameZone">{{cite web | url = http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r22280.htm | title = Conker: Live and Reloaded Review - Xbox | publisher = GameZone | accessdate = 3 January 2014 | date = 21 June 2005 | first = Steven | last = Hopper | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080225205942/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r22280.htm | archivedate = 25 February 2008 | url-status = dead}}</ref>
|HG=3.25/5<ref>{{cite magazine|author1=4thletter|author2=Wanderer|date=July 2005|url=https://archive.org/details/hardcore-gamer-magazine-v1i2/page/n25/mode/2up?q=|title=Conker: Live & Reloaded|magazine=Hardcore Gamer|volume=1|number=2|pages=52–53|accessdate=12 July 2021}}</ref>
|IGN = 8.1/10<ref name="ign review">{{cite web | url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/06/17/conker-live-and-reloaded | title = Conker: Live and Reloaded | website = [[IGN]] | accessdate = 3 January 2014 | date = 17 June 2005 | first = Hilary | last = Goldstein | archive-date = 5 August 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170805152437/http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/06/17/conker-live-and-reloaded | url-status = live }}</ref>
|JXV = 17/20<ref name = "JXV">{{cite web|author=Jihem|date=20 June 2005|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126103312/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00005455_test.htm|archivedate=26 November 2020|url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00005455_test.htm|title=Test : Conker : Love & Reloaded|language=fr|website=[[Jeuxvideo.com]]|accessdate=12 July 2021}}</ref>
|OXM = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine | title = Review: Conker: Live and Reloaded | magazine = [[Official Xbox Magazine]] | date = August 2005 | page = 82}}</ref>
|rev1 = ''[[Detroit Free Press]]''
|rev1Score = {{Rating|3|4}}<ref name="detroit">{{cite news | url = http://www.freep.com/entertainment/videogames/game10e_20050710.htm | title = Online 'Conker' challenges multiplayers | newspaper = [[Detroit Free Press]] | accessdate = 3 January 2014 | date = 10 July 2005 | first = Jim | last = Schaefer | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20050712013328/http://www.freep.com/entertainment/videogames/game10e_20050710.htm | archivedate = 12 July 2005 | url-status = dead}}</ref>
|rev2 = ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]''
|rev2Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Sydney">{{cite news | url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/games/battling-on/2005/07/12/1120934248755.html | title = Battling on | newspaper = [[The Sydney Morning Herald]] | accessdate = 3 January 2014 | date = 14 July 2005 | first = Jason | last = Hill | archive-date = 28 May 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110528073203/http://www.smh.com.au/news/games/battling-on/2005/07/12/1120934248755.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
}}

''Conker: Live & Reloaded'' was received positively by critics for its presentation and graphics.<ref name="ign review"/><ref name="GSpy">{{cite web | url = http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/conker-live-and-uncut/628192p1.html | title = GameSpy: Conker: Live and Reloaded | publisher = [[GameSpy]] | date = 22 June 2005 | first = Bryn | last = Williams | access-date = 20 May 2009 | archive-date = 17 July 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210717162105/http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/conker-live-and-uncut/628192p1.html | url-status = live }}</ref> The game was named ''IGN''{{'}}s "Best of E3 2005" in the category of "Best Graphics" for Xbox.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050531012208/http://xbox.ign.com/articles/619/619567p1.html Xbox Best of E3 2005 Awards]</ref>

''GameZone'' praised ''Conker: Live & Reloaded'' for its improvements on the original, such as controls, camera, and graphics.<ref name = "GameZone"/> The review noted "a new targeting system that takes advantage of strafing and feels very comfortable on the Xbox controller".<ref name = "GameZone"/> On the other hand, ''IGN'' criticised for changes to the single player campaign compared to the original, such as the removal of certain challenges, and the lack of refinement in areas such as facial animation that was perfected on the Nintendo 64.<ref name="ign review"/>

''IGN'' considered the multiplayer to be inferior to that of the original game.<ref name="ign review"/> The multiplayer mode (new in this version of the game) remained popular well into 2007 (over a year and a half since its release) when it remained in the top 10 most played online titles for its platform.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080107034847/http://209.11.233.28/archive/2008/01/04/top-xbox-live-games-of-2007.aspx Lary 'Major Nelson' Hryb, Top Xbox LIVE Games of 2007  (Retrieved from the Internet Archive.)]</ref>

''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]'' gave it a perfect ten and stated that, "up to 16 people can torch each other. It's more of everything you loved (and decent people protested)."<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_10024.html | title = Conker: Live and Reloaded | magazine = [[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]] | accessdate = 3 January 2014 | date = 21 June 2005 | author = Maxim staff | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20050701023803/http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_10024.html | archivedate = 1 July 2005 | url-status = dead}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' gave it a favorable review, stating, "The game is essentially a burlesque of every game featuring cute forest creatures. It has the sort of platform-jumping, rope-climbing, monster-whomping challenges seen in many of these games, but adds foulmouthed animals, scatological humor and gallons of vividly scarlet cartoon blood."<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/02/sports/othersports/02game.html?ex=1121054400&en=c235857bfda2f116&ei=5070&emc=eta1&_r=0 | title = That Drunken Red Squirrel Whomps Again | newspaper = [[The New York Times]] | accessdate = 3 January 2014 | date = 2 July 2005 | first = Charles | last = Herold}}</ref>  ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'' gave it four stars out of five and said, "The potty humour will not be to everyone's taste but many films are hilariously lampooned."<ref name="Sydney"/>  However, Jim Schaefer of ''[[Detroit Free Press]]'' gave it three stars out of four and said that he found it "amusing to relive some of Conker's bawdy behavior, but I wish they would have come up with a new story rather than remaking the old one."<ref name="detroit"/>  In Japan, ''[[Famitsu]]'' gave it a score of all four sevens, for a total of 28 out of 40.<ref name="Fam" />

{{clear}}

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist|30em}}

=== Bibliography ===
*{{cite web|accessdate=2 January 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015183419/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/914940-conker-live-and-reloaded/index.html|archivedate=15 October 2012|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/914940-conker-live-and-reloaded/index.html|title=Conker: Live & Reloaded for Xbox |website=[[Gamerankings]]|ref={{harvid|Gamerankings}}}}
*{{cite web|accessdate=9 June 2011 |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/conker-live-and-reloaded/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=Conker: Live & Reloaded for Xbox Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]]|ref={{harvid|Metacritic}}}}

==External links==

* {{moby game|id=/conker-live-reloaded|name=''Conker: Live & Reloaded''}}


{{Conker series}}
{{Rare}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Conker: Live and Reloaded}}
[[Category:2005 video games]]
[[Category:3D platformers]]
[[Category:Conker (series)]]
[[Category:Video games about dinosaurs]]
[[Category:Microsoft games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer online games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Parody video games]]
[[Category:Rare (company) games]]
[[Category:Video games about vampires]]
[[Category:Censored video games]]
[[Category:Video game remakes]]
[[Category:Sequel video games]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Robin Beanland]]
[[Category:Xbox games]]
[[Category:Xbox-only games]]
[[Category:Xbox One X enhanced games]]
[[Category:Video games about zombies]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]]

{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Conker: Live & Reloaded|access_date=2026-03-01}}