In a move so many hoped would be made, Universal and DreamWorks have announced that a fifth Shrek movie is on its way to theaters. The long-awaited film aims to release on July 1, 2026, giving fans ample time to get dust off their Shrek nostalgia goggles and embrace all things green and swampy. Of course, this means a bunch of Shrek franchise rewatches are likely to unfold in the coming months, but that’s not all those deep in the Shrek fandom are up to in preparation for the sequel.
While he’s best-known for his big screen adventures, Shrek (Mike Myers) is a multimedia icon. In addition to movies, shorts, and boatloads of merchandise, the ogre is no stranger to the gaming scene. He has appeared in tons of titles over the years, from the video game adaptations of the Shrek movies to more off-beat endeavors like Shrek Smash n’ Crash Racing and Shrek Super Party, leaving fans with plenty of play throughs to enjoy between now and the release of Shrek 5.
Speaking of odd, non-movie-related Shrek video games, perhaps none are as fascinating and fun as Shrek SuperSlam. Courtesy of publisher Activision and developer Shaba Games, this 2005 release is a wacky platform brawler featuring numerous Shrek franchise favorite characters, locations new and familiar, and a handful of engaging game modes to take for a spin. Overall, it’s an absolutely bonkers game that, unfortunately, many have forgotten as the years have wore on, yet still retains a devoted following.
Thus, not only does Shrek SuperSlam deserve a second look almost 20 years after it hit store shelves, but it’s overdue for a remake, and now is as good a time as any to make it happen.
A Shrek SuperSlam remake can capitalize on mounting Shrek nostalgia
Even though the Shrek film franchise came to fruition almost 25 years ago as of publication, and a new big screen entry in the saga hasn’t release in almost a decade and a half, Shrek has hardly faded from the public eye. Through memes, streaming services, and the character’s enduring marketability, he and his entire supporting cast have remained relevant to some degree. They may not be at the forefront of popular culture currently, but that is about to change in a big way with Shrek 5 on the way.
It stands to reason that Universal and DreamWorks are cooking up all kinds of merchandise and brand deals for Shrek and his companions with their next film in progress. In the 2020s, the movie tie-in game is no longer a thing as it was in the 1990s and into the 2010s, but that’s the beauty of a Shrek SuperSlam remake. It doesn’t have to directly follow the plot of the new film. It can simply give fans a nostalgia trip as they duke it out with longtime favorites in famous locales. Fans of the original will be intrigued by the idea, and those unfamiliar with the first release might be enticed by the nostalgic nature of Shrek alone.
Additionally, remakes rooted in nostalgia for beloved TV shows and movies have generated all kinds of positivity. Look no further than the critically successful SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated and the excitement surrounding the forthcoming Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake. Considering the responses to these titles and others, Universal and DreamWorks would be foolish to leave the customer goodwill and, of course, money, in a Shrek SuperSlam remake on the table.
Shrek SuperSlam needs a facelift in more ways than one
Of course, the question you’re likely asking, dear reader, is why Shrek SuperSlam? Of all the Shrek games to remake, why that one specifically?
Well, as established, strict movie adaptation games really aren’t all the rage these days, and, truth be told, the bulk of the Shrek games aren’t that great. A lot of them are pretty bare bones and not super fun to play. Shrek SuperSlam brings the fun factor, there’s gameplay variety, unlockables worth chasing, and it serves as an excellent translation of Shrek’s world into video game form. Not to mention, platform brawlers are still adored, as evidenced by the Super Smash Bros. franchise remaining a powerhouse and the likes of MultiVersus and Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl finding niche followings.
It should also be said that Shrek SuperSlam is dated, to put it lightly. The game mechanics are clunky, with hit detection and targeting being pretty hit or miss, and the graphics aren’t great by modern standards. So, graphical and gameplay overhauls would be nice, especially if the minds behind it studied some of the aforementioned games, determining what works for them and what doesn’t. An online mode wouldn’t be a bad addition either, as the original game released prior to the popularization of such gaming.
Continuing the improvement wishlist, it would also be wonderful to see inclusions from projects released post-Shrek SuperSlam. Playable characters like Rumpelstiltskin (Walt Dohrn), Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek), and Jack Horner (John Mulaney) and stages like Worcestershire Academy, Rumpel’s Far, Far Away palace, and San Ricardo would be awesome to see join the fray, and would beckon those on the fence about spending the money to give the remake a try.
The fan demand for a new take on the game is ogrewhelming
As if these reasons weren’t compelling enough to build a case for a Shrek SuperSlam remake, to further drive the point home, one can look to the people. Suffice to say, Shrek fans new and old alike harbor a lot of love for this bizarre yet endearing fighting game. For proof of this, look no further than the r/ShrekSuperSlam Reddit community, where thousands of users have come together to share all things related to the game. A scroll through the homepage brings up everything from recent social media posts about the game to tips and tricks for new players to memes.
Not only are Shrek SuperSlam fans eager to chat about the game itself, but some have even taken their interest in it to another level. For example, back in 2021, one fan known simply as Victor took it upon himself to basically single-handedly remaster the game. Despite not having much of a background in game development, his love for Shrek SuperSlam helped him to push through the project, remastering characters, stages, HUDs, menus, and more. “Just like the Shrek movies are a parody of fairy tale movies, Shrek SuperSlam is a parody of fighting games. But even though they are parodies, Shrek is still a great fairy tale movie, and Shrek SuperSlam is still a great fighting game,” he told Fanbyte.
Evidently, we’re in the perfect storm for a Shrek SuperSlam remake. Love for the Shrek saga is high, as is the love for the 2005 game, and platform brawlers are currently a hot commodity in the gaming world. Time will tell if such a project will become a playable reality, or if fans will have to rely on the existing copies out there as well as other fans updating the original to get their Shrek SuperSlam on.
Published: Jul 20, 2024 10:32 am