Kiki Kaikai is a fantastic series, going all the way back to it's humble arcade origins (Sayo-chan's partner in this game at that time was her main enemy in the original). Natsume just added their own flavor to the original Taito recipe.
*_"Pocky & Rocky"_* on the SNES. Developed by the talented array of devs, *_Natsume_* . I *LOVE* this game. If you were to ask me, *_"What game captures your favorite childhood memories the most?"_* I would respond with this gem. Owning both the original and English releases of the game, I burned a *RIDICULOUS* amount of hours trying to beat this game. I have a few times and each one felt very satisfying, indeed. Just like my experiences with other *_Natsume_* games. My favorite thing about this game isn't just the cutesy art direction, the excellent music capturing the defeat of many evil spirits as both a Shinto Shrine Maiden and a Tanuki, the balanced challenge, or even seeing many... *MANY* creatures from Japanese folklore (Including the obligatory *_"Karakasa"_* [The umbrella-looking dudes]). It's the impressive fact that this game wasn't completely *_"Americanized"_* like other localizations back in the day. This is one of the most "Japanese" games you'll ever see from the perspective of the west in the 90s. POSITIVES • *Great Graphics* (Lots flashy colors and neat graphical effects like the shadow effect in the first level. Incredibly rare sight for SNES, I'll say.) • *Great Music* (Seriously, go listen to *ANY* track and you'll find some good ear candy. Again, you really feel like you're throwing your ofuda cards and waving the gohei to rid lots of evildoers who dare halt your progression.) • *_"Look at All Those Nice Sprites!"_* (The enemies all look great and are reasonably smooth animation-wise. Also, the two protagonists *_"Sayo-chan"_* & *_"Manuke"_* [ *_"Pocky"_* & *_"Rocky"_* in this version] look rather adorable. That's the power chibi sprites, for ya!) • *Fantastic Challenge Approach* (While game is simultaneously cooperative, you will die. Like, a lot. Luckily, there's unlimited lives. So if you're determined enough [And are not sick of that death sound], you'll eventually beat this game. And when you do, it's beyond satisfying.) Final Rating: 10/10 Play it. That's all there's to say. It's a freaking masterpiece of a *_"Bullet Hell"_* _"Shmup"_ .
Secret not shown in this video, the first goblin boss, the ball thing, you can hit it's basket with either Sayo's purify rod, or Manuke's tail, and you get rewarded with a 1-Up. Learned that from watching a Japanese player play through the game one day.
Dorelaxen I think I only made it to that flying airship stage when I was 8 or 9. Tempted to try again on my hacked snes Classic since I definitely remember adding it when I did all of that.
@@Dorelaxen i just bought the reshrined version this week end and played with my Friend, thats why i came here to compare with the old version ( We played it nearly 30years ago, i don't have such a good memory) and the reshrined version is waaaay harder. Ennemies are much more resistant and stages are longer. So i think that even the studio that make this game thought that the original version Was not that hard
@@js-tz9bu It's good that you were a gifted child and, probably, you should be a NASA scientist, but for 98% of "ordinary mortals" I think that, even in adulthood, it's a very difficult game.
@ 9:57 lmao! A developer totally went to his boss and was like "yo.. I can save memory if we make this mini boss a cyclops by mirroring his other half'. That's exactly how it went down...
Used to rent this as a elementary school kid. Rented it multiple times never got to own it. But it stayed with me the music and the characters I was really into it back then.
I remember playing this with my cousin when we were like 4+7, since he owned older consoles. We never got past the raft section after hours of playing it when I would visit him lol
I remember playing this as kid with my brother (I always play the racoon) but never know the title because at that time i was still about 5 or 6 y.o haha The music immediately kick my memory
The opening to that *_"Projared"_* video always cracks me up no matter how many times I rewatch it. They really nailed the unpredictability of the timing, in my opinion.
I remember I got this game because it looked like Legend of the Mystical Ninja. I was kinda right. However, I really liked this game. I used to play it a lot and when this game came out, I actually had friends to play it with. I think I actually beat it but you are right, it is a very difficult game. As much as I liked this game, I never played the sequel. I saw it a lot but for some reason, I skipped out on the sequel.
The sequel is good, though I like it a little less than this game. You do get to use 3 different helpers though, Manuke, a bird looking thing (I forget the Japanese name for what it is), and a large ogrish looking guy.
i got into drawing "sprites" the actual characters in old games square by square and who ever the artist or art team for this was did an extremely skilled job. for the time being growing up in this era the amount of well-made smooth actions you could do in this game and the art skill and detail was pretty epic. not many games where this clean looking and had hard to tell if it was a gun or hand bad art. this was a fat min before pokemon was in the usa and look how confusing and bad a lot red and blue looks compared to this, given, it was on the 8bit gameboy with less pixels and no color
One of the few games I couldn't beat when I was a kid. LOVED it... but never even made it to Stage 4 "Battle in the Sky"... and that's only halfway through the vid's running time LOL
I can't believe Pocky & Rocky is getting a remake. This is one game that I vaguely remember from my childhood...it's definitely my introduction to shooters and Feudal Japan-type settings.
I liked the original Taito arcade game - not the specific "Knight Boy" bootleg, but the original; at least in Italy, in years when even the smallest towns had at least one place with two or three cabinets, even theoretically Japan-only games would still be seen (so, still bootlegs, just not modified, right?). For this reason Natsume deserves nothing but love for giving it a great sequel so many years later, and a further SNES episode soon after, which I assume you'll cover too sooner or later. I know there was a GBA title too, but never played it. Apparently this series has also been an inspiration for Touhou's, since its creator worked at Taito.
These days the renames of the main characters bothers me. Thanks to the arcade Kiki Kaikai, I prefer to call the SNES games that (since they are at least in Japan), and the characters Sayo-chan and Manuke, not Pocky and Rocky (a girl named Pocky? No thanks). I have the sequel, found it at a shop for $25 loose years ago, even at the time the game was more expensive online. Sadly I don't have the prequel, and I doubt I ever find it now for $25 loose locally. Guess luck only struck me once with this series, though the original arcade game can be had for cheap on Taito Legends 2, where only Sayo-chan was playable, and Manuke was the main bad guy at the end. Surprised Taito licensed the characters and series to Natsume, but they did a great job with it, but some folks don't know everything about the series started with Taito.
Games like this require skill, patience, and practice, it was made for those who wanted challenge in their games. The slide move does come in handy, a feature absent in the sequel (an even harder game if you can believe it).
@@nacidoparaestorbar7148 Yeah, its too bad because I really liked the graphic and style of gameplay, just way too dang hard to be enjoyable. I remember playing it and keep getting frustrated and said to myself " Why do I keep playing this???" So I stopped. On the other hand I found a similar game style within the game ufo 50 on steam with moderate difficulty, hence I really enjoyed that one.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
As long as you don't mind the hyper-cute style, Pocky & Rocky is an excellent Natsume shooter that more people really ought to take notice of!
MinerZ He already did that, dude. Search is your friend.
Kiki Kaikai is a fantastic series, going all the way back to it's humble arcade origins (Sayo-chan's partner in this game at that time was her main enemy in the original). Natsume just added their own flavor to the original Taito recipe.
I rented this game as a kid and could not get past stage one. So I am quite familiar with this game.
@@Bloodreign1 Pocky & Rocky is getting a remake(Pocky & Rocky Reshrined)that will come out Fall of this year.
*_"Pocky & Rocky"_* on the SNES. Developed by the talented array of devs, *_Natsume_* .
I *LOVE* this game. If you were to ask me, *_"What game captures your favorite childhood memories the most?"_* I would respond with this gem.
Owning both the original and English releases of the game, I burned a *RIDICULOUS* amount of hours trying to beat this game. I have a few times and each one felt very satisfying, indeed. Just like my experiences with other *_Natsume_* games.
My favorite thing about this game isn't just the cutesy art direction, the excellent music capturing the defeat of many evil spirits as both a Shinto Shrine Maiden and a Tanuki, the balanced challenge, or even seeing many... *MANY* creatures from Japanese folklore (Including the obligatory *_"Karakasa"_* [The umbrella-looking dudes]). It's the impressive fact that this game wasn't completely *_"Americanized"_* like other localizations back in the day. This is one of the most "Japanese" games you'll ever see from the perspective of the west in the 90s.
POSITIVES
• *Great Graphics* (Lots flashy colors and neat graphical effects like the shadow effect in the first level. Incredibly rare sight for SNES, I'll say.)
• *Great Music* (Seriously, go listen to *ANY* track and you'll find some good ear candy. Again, you really feel like you're throwing your ofuda cards and waving the gohei to rid lots of evildoers who dare halt your progression.)
• *_"Look at All Those Nice Sprites!"_* (The enemies all look great and are reasonably smooth animation-wise. Also, the two protagonists *_"Sayo-chan"_* & *_"Manuke"_* [ *_"Pocky"_* & *_"Rocky"_* in this version] look rather adorable. That's the power chibi sprites, for ya!)
• *Fantastic Challenge Approach* (While game is simultaneously cooperative, you will die. Like, a lot. Luckily, there's unlimited lives. So if you're determined enough [And are not sick of that death sound], you'll eventually beat this game. And when you do, it's beyond satisfying.)
Final Rating: 10/10
Play it.
That's all there's to say. It's a freaking masterpiece of a *_"Bullet Hell"_* _"Shmup"_ .
I randomly discovered if you swat the first level boss's green basket, you get an extra life!!! Never seen anyone else do this...
never played this but the art style is too darn cute. Love it.
-Pocky and rocky
-Earthworm jim
- mario world
Were my favorites in SNES
I played this so much as a kid but only ever completed the first 3 levels, finally remembered it existed, thanks for the nostalgia trip.
Loved this game as a kid. Glad to see you chose to do a playthrough of it.
I never knew Tom Nook and Reimu Hakurei were such close friends
Hahahaha🤣🤣🤣
Secret not shown in this video, the first goblin boss, the ball thing, you can hit it's basket with either Sayo's purify rod, or Manuke's tail, and you get rewarded with a 1-Up. Learned that from watching a Japanese player play through the game one day.
So this is what Tom Nook did before he became a store owner and then home developer.
Best comment XD 🤣🤣👍
Just the fact that you got through it is pretty impressive. This is an ass kicker of a game.
Dorelaxen I think I only made it to that flying airship stage when I was 8 or 9. Tempted to try again on my hacked snes Classic since I definitely remember adding it when I did all of that.
I was about 10 when i finished it with my Friend. No hack, on a normal snes. If kids Can Do it ( We struggled) , it's not that hard
@@js-tz9bu Why is there ALWAYS someone that comes into a comment about a hard game that says "It's not that hard." Always, every single time.
@@Dorelaxen i just bought the reshrined version this week end and played with my Friend, thats why i came here to compare with the old version ( We played it nearly 30years ago, i don't have such a good memory) and the reshrined version is waaaay harder. Ennemies are much more resistant and stages are longer.
So i think that even the studio that make this game thought that the original version Was not that hard
@@js-tz9bu It's good that you were a gifted child and, probably, you should be a NASA scientist, but for 98% of "ordinary mortals" I think that, even in adulthood, it's a very difficult game.
@ 9:57 lmao! A developer totally went to his boss and was like "yo.. I can save memory if we make this mini boss a cyclops by mirroring his other half'. That's exactly how it went down...
Used to rent this as a elementary school kid. Rented it multiple times never got to own it. But it stayed with me the music and the characters I was really into it back then.
I remember playing this with my cousin when we were like 4+7, since he owned older consoles. We never got past the raft section after hours of playing it when I would visit him lol
One of my first and best snes game ever along with Goemon.
Mystical ninja was epic
And now it's getting a new game
This is an S tier SNES game. Full stop.
It’s getting a remaster, now.
I found about this game at first thanks to the Club Nintendo magazine in the 90s, very nice childhood memories.
I loved this game as a child, I played it all the time!
I loved playing this game on my SNES when I was a kid. Can't wait to play Pocky & Rocky Reshrined
Hell yea! Pocky and Rocky! Love this one!
I remember playing this as kid with my brother (I always play the racoon) but never know the title because at that time i was still about 5 or 6 y.o haha
The music immediately kick my memory
Bought this game due to a sterling review in EGM. Back in the good ol' days..
PBG: We're playing--
PRJRD: JESUS!!!
The opening to that *_"Projared"_* video always cracks me up no matter how many times I rewatch it. They really nailed the unpredictability of the timing, in my opinion.
Despite being quite difficult, I loved playing this game on the SNES and I'm happy that Natsume will bring Pocky & Rocky Reshrined
All this time, it was a shooter? 🤯 Thanks for the full game!
this game is still amazing.
A friend and I rented this and played through it one evening. Good times. I had just ordered the Switch import of the remake.
This playthrough really helped, thanks. :)
I remember I got this game because it looked like Legend of the Mystical Ninja. I was kinda right. However, I really liked this game. I used to play it a lot and when this game came out, I actually had friends to play it with. I think I actually beat it but you are right, it is a very difficult game. As much as I liked this game, I never played the sequel. I saw it a lot but for some reason, I skipped out on the sequel.
The sequel is good, though I like it a little less than this game. You do get to use 3 different helpers though, Manuke, a bird looking thing (I forget the Japanese name for what it is), and a large ogrish looking guy.
I love this game. It's literally taito's "legend of valkyrie"
The graphics on Pocky & Rocky are amazing. 😀👍🎮
i was looking on a list of "coop snes games" and found this holy crap, ive never heard of this but I'm instantly in love
i got into drawing "sprites" the actual characters in old games square by square and who ever the artist or art team for this was did an extremely skilled job. for the time being growing up in this era the amount of well-made smooth actions you could do in this game and the art skill and detail was pretty epic. not many games where this clean looking and had hard to tell if it was a gun or hand bad art. this was a fat min before pokemon was in the usa and look how confusing and bad a lot red and blue looks compared to this, given, it was on the 8bit gameboy with less pixels and no color
One of the few games I couldn't beat when I was a kid. LOVED it... but never even made it to Stage 4 "Battle in the Sky"... and that's only halfway through the vid's running time LOL
I can't believe Pocky & Rocky is getting a remake. This is one game that I vaguely remember from my childhood...it's definitely my introduction to shooters and Feudal Japan-type settings.
Can't lie I could have used two or three more levels and some side missions but it was such a fun game
loved this game as a child.
A remake is coming to the Ps4 and Switch later this year
My favorite childhood game!!!
i remember this cute game from the hell when i playing snes station on my ps2 slim
I'm so mad they cut the text in the cutscenes for the PAL version, it's just ridiculous!!
ptm q recuerdosy nostalgia cuando me tiraba la pera (escaaba del colegio o escuela) me hiba a jugar este juego hace 20 años
Bosses in order:
Whispey woods
Gobbler
King golem
Ice dragon
Final boss-dark matter
They got upcoming remastered version of Pocky and Rocky
And it looks to be absolutely............glorious.
love the sound design!
I liked the original Taito arcade game - not the specific "Knight Boy" bootleg, but the original; at least in Italy, in years when even the smallest towns had at least one place with two or three cabinets, even theoretically Japan-only games would still be seen (so, still bootlegs, just not modified, right?). For this reason Natsume deserves nothing but love for giving it a great sequel so many years later, and a further SNES episode soon after, which I assume you'll cover too sooner or later. I know there was a GBA title too, but never played it.
Apparently this series has also been an inspiration for Touhou's, since its creator worked at Taito.
The GBA game is pretty good as well, maybe musically not as nice as the 2 SNES games, but it still holds it's own against them.
“We’re playing pock-“
*”JESUS!”*
Rocky is the cutest Effing thing!
Beatiful game...!!
12:19 Flashbacks to StarTropics intensify..
I love this game, the first pocky & rocky game is way better than the second.
*I LOVE THIS*
Anyone else remember they had other allies like a scarecrow and a winged being?
That would be the second sequel (the first SNES game was the first sequel to the arcade original), Pocky and Rocky 2,.
This game reminds me of when I was young and a raccoon bit me.
That raccoon couldn't turn into a statue though, but raccoons are vicious little bastards.
And that's where the lots of korean bootleggers got the sound effects from.
Dude got "Game Genie"
Yummy!!a super Nintendo game that's easy on the video game pallete.
5 years old me never realized how freakin' ~Japanese~ this game was. All I saw were cool monsters XD
This is a hard game
Part of my childhood
POCKY AND ROCKY IN SSU!
These days the renames of the main characters bothers me. Thanks to the arcade Kiki Kaikai, I prefer to call the SNES games that (since they are at least in Japan), and the characters Sayo-chan and Manuke, not Pocky and Rocky (a girl named Pocky? No thanks). I have the sequel, found it at a shop for $25 loose years ago, even at the time the game was more expensive online. Sadly I don't have the prequel, and I doubt I ever find it now for $25 loose locally. Guess luck only struck me once with this series, though the original arcade game can be had for cheap on Taito Legends 2, where only Sayo-chan was playable, and Manuke was the main bad guy at the end. Surprised Taito licensed the characters and series to Natsume, but they did a great job with it, but some folks don't know everything about the series started with Taito.
was this on the NTSC system?
Estaba buscando el nombre de este juego hace mucho
Sweet I didn't know Tom Nook had his own game 😅😂 jk
Eu achava que esse jogo era um delírio da minha mente, mas ele realmente existia kkkkkk
mame?
why is this game and the 2nd so expensive!?
game này chơi vui nhớ tuổi thơ ghê
Wonderful it is wonderful but too difficult even at easy. It would be great if you could stop the direction
I played it recently and I basically gave up on level 2, WAY too hard of a game for me to be enjoyable
Games like this require skill, patience, and practice, it was made for those who wanted challenge in their games. The slide move does come in handy, a feature absent in the sequel (an even harder game if you can believe it).
Same i always died on the river part. I think I only made it through the level 3 like once
@@nacidoparaestorbar7148 Yeah, its too bad because I really liked the graphic and style of gameplay, just way too dang hard to be enjoyable. I remember playing it and keep getting frustrated and said to myself " Why do I keep playing this???" So I stopped.
On the other hand I found a similar game style within the game ufo 50 on steam with moderate difficulty, hence I really enjoyed that one.
Pocky and Rocky 7: Boris and Natasha's Revenge
Whatchu gonna do wit dat leaf? Go make me sum tea?
Gente eu jogava esse
So many people these days lnew the game because of DashieGames.
lightsouthaha I know that, but i refer to people that was born like in 2000's Decade.
Commando for weebs. And a weird one at that.
One of my childhood games!