I feel like Shaq Fu gets a terrible rap. Yes, it's clunky, slow, the characters are tiny, the music is terrible... but let's face it, it's far from the worst fighter out there, and Hell, it really isn't even bad enough to warrant inclusion on general "worst games ever" lists. However, its hatred is some sort of worldwide memetic standard, which leads me to believe that there's more "follow the leader" tactics at play here.
Although they're small, the characters are very well animated, especially during special attacks. Some of the cast may be lame or cliched, but it's a decent-sized roster for the era (especially on the Genesis), and it's far from the worst lineup I've ever seen in a fighting game. The story is trash, but the overworld map idea is neat. Really, for each thing that I hate about Shaq Fu, it seems to have a tiny little gem to complement it.
I know a turd when I see it, and believe me, Shaq Fu is a steaming pile. But it's more like a nut-and-berry turd: sure, it's hideous and offensive, but it has a hint of a sweet aroma to it. Compared to all of the rotten burrito poops out there, Shaq Fu is almost acceptable.