In the early 1990s, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System became a breeding ground for experimental visual styles. Among the most memorable was the "claymation" aesthetic, a look popularized by the developers at Interplay. While most gamers from this era immediately think of the fighter ClayFighter, its platforming cousin, Claymates, offered a distinct and charming experience that pushed the boundaries of 16-bit character animation. Released in 1993 and developed by Visual Concepts, Claymates is a vibrant, imaginative title that invited players into a world where everything—including the hero—is made of malleable clay. It remains a standout example of the era's creativity, combining solid platforming mechanics with a unique shape-shifting gimmick.
The story of Claymates follows a young boy named Clayton, whose life is turned upside down by a scientific breakthrough and a bitter rivalry. Clayton's father is a brilliant scientist who has successfully developed a revolutionary serum capable of transforming humans into animals. This discovery, however, draws the attention of an antagonist known as Jobo the Shaman. Jobo demands the serum for his own wicked purposes, and when Clayton’s father refuses to hand it over, the shaman takes drastic action. Jobo kidnaps the scientist, steals the serum, and in a cruel twist, transforms young Clayton into a sentient, blue ball of clay. Now, as a literal ball of dough, Clayton must embark on a global journey to rescue his father, recover the serum, and save the world from Jobo’s influence.
At its core, Claymates is a side-scrolling platformer, but its gameplay is defined by Clayton's ability to transform into various animal forms. As a base ball of clay, Clayton can jump, roll, and dash, but he is relatively vulnerable. By collecting specific clay icons scattered throughout the levels, Clayton can morph into five distinct "Claymates," each offering unique abilities necessary for progression.
For instance, Oppy the mouse is small and fast, allowing players to reach tight spaces. Paddy the gopher has the ability to dig through certain patches of earth, uncovering secrets or new paths. Goopy the fish provides essential mobility in underwater segments, while Globbin the duck allows Clayton to take to the skies. Finally, Bumble the cat provides the ability to climb vertical surfaces. Success in the game requires players to frequently switch between these forms to solve environmental puzzles and navigate treacherous terrain. The game spans several massive worlds, including the Pacific Islands, Japan, and even Outer Space, each culminating in challenging boss encounters that test the player's mastery of the clay-shifting mechanics.
This game was released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in both North American and PAL territories, representing one of the more visually unique platformers available on the console.
Claymates holds a special place in the history of 16-bit gaming, primarily due to its connection to the ClayFighter franchise and its development pedigree. It was developed by Visual Concepts, a studio that would later go on to achieve massive success as the lead developer for the NBA 2K sports series. While Claymates did not become a long-running franchise itself, its pre-rendered clay graphics were considered highly impressive at the time, predating the "rendered 3D look" that would later define games like Donkey Kong Country. It is often cited by retro gaming enthusiasts as a "hidden gem" of the SNES library, praised for its whimsical art style and the variety of its gameplay mechanics.
Claymates
Seller: retrogameplace
Country of origin: Spain
Status: loose
Description: Jeu Claymates pour console Super Nintendo Incarnez... show more Jeu Claymates pour console Super Nintendo Incarnez Clayton, fils du professeur Potty, transformé en boule de pâte à modeler bleue par le sorcier Jobo. Voyagez à travers cinq mondes fascinants, d'un ja... show less
