"Obamahamaha!": Free 2D fighter starring US presidents launches to 96% positive reviews

In Electoral Carnage, players choose one of several U.S. presidents – including Barack Obama, Richard Nixon and Theodore Roosevelt – and face off in fast-paced one-on-one battles. Rather than taking politics seriously, the game fully embraces satirical humor, absurd special attacks and countless pop culture references. In the Steam trailer, for example, Barack Obama unleashes an "Obamahamaha" attack on his opponent – a clear nod to Dragon Ball Z.

Unlike many traditional fighting games, the focus is not on lengthy attack combos but on smart movement, positioning and precise timing. Each president has unique movement options, special attacks and a signature one-hit super move capable of instantly knocking out an opponent. The game supports both local multiplayer and Steam Remote Play Together.

The Steam community has responded enthusiastically so far. Just two days after launch, 96% of more than 1,600 user reviews are positive. Players have particularly praised the unusual presidential concept, the humorous special attacks, the surprisingly solid fighting mechanics and the well-crafted animations. That said, Electoral Carnage is not without its flaws. AI-generated voice acting, balance issues affecting certain characters and input lag in multiplayer have all drawn criticism. Some players also feel that the Early Access version currently lacks content.

That final point may be easier to overlook, however, considering Electoral Carnage is completely free to play on Steam. According to developer Bomb Sequitur Games, the Early Access period is expected to last around one year. Planned additions include more playable characters, new arenas and a single-player story mode. The 2D fighter is also rated Playable on Steam Deck, which is currently available on Amazon for $740.