My Played Video Games Review: Pocky & Rocky for the Super Nintendo
Pocky & Rocky is an action-packed scrolling shooter game released in 1992 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). Developed and published by Natsume, it serves as the sequel to Taito's arcade game KiKi KaiKai, which was released in 1986.
A priestess girl and a raccoon fighting together to fight mind-controlled goblins? What's not to like?
The Story
While peacefully enjoying a cup of tea at her shrine, Shrine maiden Pocky finds herself interrupted by Rocky the Raccoon, a distressed Nopino goblin. He reveals that something terrible has occurred—his fellow Nopino goblins have lost their sanity, becoming agitated and hostile towards him. Rocky believes that an external force has placed them under a spell, but he cannot handle the situation alone and urgently requests Pocky's assistance.
Now, Pocky is faced with the mystery of who is behind the spell and controlling the Nopino goblins, as well as their motives. Together, Pocky and Rocky embark on an extraordinary adventure, engaging in thrilling battles against the goblin forces. Join them as they uncover the truth and put an end to the turmoil caused by the spell.
The Graphics and Sound
The pretty good graphics are characterized by a unique and cute art style, reminiscent of anime and similar to the enemies found in early Mega Man games. The enemy designs are detailed and the levels are visually appealing, featuring charming elements like graveyards and picturesque sky scenery. However, during intense battles with multiple objects on the screen, there is occasional slowdown. Surprisingly, this slowdown can be a good moment as it allows players to better observe and understand the chaotic action.
The sound effects in the game are generally good, with distinct sounds accompanying actions such as card/leaf tossing, sliding, deflecting, and fire-blowing. However, the repeated explosions of enemies can become annoying over time.
The music is characterized by an upbeat and distinctive Japanese style. It's difficult to pinpoint a specific genre or mood, but the music generally matches the energetic and fast-paced nature of the game. Combined with the action-packed gameplay, the music might not be something you actively notice or pay much attention to.
The Gameplay
Pocky & Rocky is an overhead-view game that shares similarities with games like SNES action-RPGs. However, it distinguishes itself with larger sprites and adorable anime-style monsters to battle.
In this game, you have the choice between two characters: Pocky, a young girl, and Rocky, a raccoon believed to bring good luck in Japanese culture. Interestingly, both characters play exactly the same, so your choice is purely a matter of personal preference.
As you progress through the stages, you navigate along a designated path and utilize your chosen character's weapon, either cards (Pocky) or leaves (Rocky), to defeat your enemies. Along the way, you'll come across power-ups that enhance your weapon's abilities. At the end of each stage, you face a boss, defeat it, and move on to the next stage, continuing this pattern until you complete the game. It's a combination of a walking game and a shoot 'em up.
This game offers easy getting into for players of all skill levels. The primary action revolves around throwing cards or leaves at everything in sight, which may initially seem like a straightforward approach. However, relying only on this strategy will quickly lead to defeat. Despite that, it remains enjoyable to employ.
One notable aspect of the game is plenty of strategic possibilities. Players can explore different tactics and techniques to overcome challenges. What makes it even more exciting is the inclusion of a unique feature: the ability to block incoming attacks. This adds an extra layer of depth to the gameplay, allowing players to defend against enemy assaults. This innovative element sets the game apart from others in the same genre and adds to its cool factor.
Overall, whether you are a seasoned player or a novice, you can find satisfaction and fun in this game's mechanics and strategic options. It offers an engaging experience that goes beyond simple card/leaf throwing, making it a standout among similar games.
Replay value is pretty good. You will want get a friend to come over and play it in once in a while to relive the magic.
My Verdict
Pocky & Rocky's single-player mode is already noteworthy, but it is the multiplayer mode that truly makes this game shine. It is an aspect that shouldn't be overlooked and is what finally makes this game a wonderful and worthwhile experience.
Play it on the great Super Nintendo/Super Famicom or play it on a friggin' good emulator.
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