The first circus-themed video game I played was Circus Charlie. I first saw that game in an arcade, and first played it on a later incarnation of the NES console. After playing it a few times, I didn't think there would be another game with a similar theme.
This was until I played Aero the Acro-Bat which was released on the Sega Genesis. Like Circus Charlie, the game is set in a circus but with more essence. The game centers on Aero, a red bat who performs stunts. Enemies in the game include clowns which Aero defeats by doing corkscrew moves or hurling stars at them.
Besides a circus, the game can also take place in an open carnival or in the wild. Those levels are either during the day, sunset, or even at night.
The best circus game.