Pocky & Rocky (video game)

Last updated
Pocky & Rocky
Pocky & Rocky box.jpg
North American box art
Developer(s) Natsume Co., Ltd.
Publisher(s)
Programmer(s) Kazuhiko Ishihara [1]
Artist(s) Shunichi Taniguchi
Tomoyuki Nishiyama
Yoshihino Hattori [1]
Composer(s) Hiroyuki Iwatsuki [1]
Series Pocky & Rocky
Platform(s) Super NES
Release
  • JP: December 1992
  • NA: June 12, 1993 [2] [3]
  • EU: August 1993
Genre(s) Scrolling shooter
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Pocky & Rocky [a] is a 1992 scrolling shooter video game developed by Natsume Co., Ltd. for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (Super NES). It is the sequel to Taito's 1986 arcade game KiKi KaiKai . Pocky & Rocky follows the adventures of a young Shinto shrine maiden, Pocky, and her new tanuki companion, Rocky, as they attempt to save a group of goblins from evil forces. Gameplay takes place from a top-down perspective and features both single-player and cooperative modes.

Contents

The game was generally well-received by critics. It was followed by Pocky & Rocky 2 (1994) and Pocky & Rocky with Becky (2001). A new entry, Pocky & Rocky Reshrined, released in 2022.

Gameplay

Pocky and Rocky fighting against first stage boss of the game SNES Pocky & Rocky (KiKi KaiKai - Nazo no Kuro Manto).png
Pocky and Rocky fighting against first stage boss of the game

Pocky & Rocky is a scrolling shooter video game that takes place from a top-down perspective. [4] The screen can move either horizontally or vertically and the player-controlled characters can move in eight directions. [5] The game features six levels and allows its players to continue indefinitely. [6] [7] In single-player mode, the player can choose to play as either Pocky or Rocky. In two-player cooperative mode, both characters are on the screen at the same time. [7]

Pocky can use her ofudas to hit enemies from afar or swing her gohei to damage enemies close up. [6] Likewise, Rocky can throw leaves across the screen or quickly turn his backside and swing his tail. [8] Both characters can slide across the ground to cover the area quickly. If a player bumps into the other while sliding in a two-player game, it will cause the other player to spin out of control across the screen, damaging any enemies they come in contact with. A limited-use special bomb attack can be used to hit several or all the enemies present on the screen. [9] There are some differences between both characters. Pocky moves and slides slightly faster than Rocky does. However, Rocky's slide attack goes a long distance. Pocky's bomb attack is more powerful than Rocky's, although Rocky's bombs cover a wider area. Pocky can also perform a spinning attack, whereas Rocky is able to transform into an invulnerable and immobile statue for a short time. [9]

Various power-ups can be acquired that will increase the effectiveness of either Pocky or Rocky's attacks, such as making their projectiles larger or giving them the ability to throw multiple ones at once. Others include a shield that absorbs enemy attacks, [5] and a power-up that replenishes hit points, giving Pocky and Rocky more endurance. A floating being called "Help man" is hidden in each level that will drop power-ups when found. [9]

Plot

Set in a Far East-themed world, [10] Pocky & Rocky is about a young miko [6] girl named Pocky (known in Japan as Sayo-chan (小夜ちゃん)) who is tending to a Shinto shrine when she is visited by Rocky the Tanuki, or raccoon dog (known in Japan as Manuke (魔奴化)). Rocky is a member of a group of creatures known as the Nopino Goblins. Some time ago, the Nopino Goblins (Yōkai in Japan) went insane, but were stopped and cured by Pocky. Rocky tells Pocky that the Nopino Goblins have gone insane yet again and that she must help them. Suddenly, Pocky and Rocky are ambushed by the Nopino Goblins, which appear to be under a spell. Together, Pocky and Rocky must unravel the mystery of who is controlling the Nopino Goblins. Throughout the game, they battle a number of creatures from Japanese mythology, including kappas. [9]

Release

Pocky & Rocky was licensed by Taito to Natsume Co., Ltd., who developed and published the game for release in Japan in 1992 and the rest of the world in 1993. It is the sequel to the 1986 arcade game KiKi KaiKai . [5] [6] In Japan, Pocky & Rocky was broadcast on the Satellaview service on June 6, 1997. [11]

Reception

Pocky & Rocky received a 21.62/30 score in a 1993 readers' poll conducted by Super Famicom Magazine, ranking among Super Famicom titles at the number 93 spot. [28] The game received generally favorable reviews from critics. [4] [8] [29] In 1996, Super Play ranked it as number 91 on its list of the top 100 SNES games. [30]

Sequels

Pocky & Rocky spawned three official sequels and one spiritual successor. In Pocky & Rocky 2 (1994) for SNES, Pocky and Rocky must work together once again to stop a forced marriage between a princess and a tyrant. [31] In the second sequel, Pocky & Rocky with Becky (2001) for Game Boy Advance, the duo are joined by their friend Becky to stop a hydra dragon. [32] The latest entry, Pocky & Rocky Reshrined, was released for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in 2022, [33] and on Windows in 2023.

UFO Interactive Games released a spiritual successor to the series, Heavenly Guardian (2007), developed by Starfish for the PlayStation 2 and Wii. [34]

References

Notes

  1. Pocky & Rocky is known in Japan as KiKi KaiKai: Nazo no Kuro Manto (奇々怪界 謎の黒マント; "Mysterious Ghost World: The Mysterious Black Mantle").

References

  1. 1 2 3 In-game credits for the North-American release of Pocky & Rocky.
  2. "Pocky & Rocky International Releases - Giant Bomb". www.giantbomb.com. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
  3. "Super NES Games" (PDF). Nintendo of America, Web Archive. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  4. 1 2 Doctor Dave (April 1993). "Super NES ProReview: Pocky & Rocky". GamePro . No. 45. IDG. p. 74.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Davies, Jonathan (March 1993). "Import Review: Kikikaikai". Super Play . No. 5. Future Publishing. pp. 48–49.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Morales, Emill. "Kiki Kaikai Nazo no Kuro Manto / Pocky & Rocky - Super NES (1992)". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on December 27, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  7. 1 2 3 Mandel, Josh (May 1993). "Video-Game Reviews: Pocky & Rocky". VideoGames & Computer Entertainment . No. 52. Larry Flynt Publications. p. 50.
  8. 1 2 "Pocky & Rocky; Now Playing: Pocky & Rocky". Nintendo Power . Vol. 47. Nintendo of America. April 1993. pp. 26–29, 104, 107.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "North American instruction booklet for "Pocky & Rocky" (SNS-KK-USA)". Natsume: 5, 8–15.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  10. 1 2 Eggebrecht, Julian (October 1993). "Test: Pocky & Rocky". Total! (in German). No. 5. Germany: MVL Verlag. pp. 46–47.
  11. "Kiki Kaikai - Nazo no Kuro Manto". BS-X Satellaview, Web Archive. September 14, 2014. Archived from the original on December 29, 2017. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  12. Knight, Kyle (1998). "Kikikaikai: Nazo no Kuro Manto [Japanese] - Review". AllGame . All Media Network. Archived from the original on 2014-11-16. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  13. "Review: Pocky and Rocky". Computer and Video Games . No. 143. EMAP. October 1993. p. 89.
  14. "NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: 奇々怪界 -謎の黒マント-". Famitsu (in Japanese). No. 211. ASCII Corporation. January 1, 1993. p. 38. (Transcription by Famitsu.com. Archived 2017-11-07 at the Wayback Machine ).
  15. McGee, Patrick (May 1993). "Review: Pocky & Rocky". Game Players Nintendo Guide . Vol. 6, no. 5. GP Publications. p. 73.
  16. Douglas, Jim (September 1993). "Reviews: Pocky & Rocky". GamesMaster . No. 9. Future Publishing. p. 76.
  17. Humphreys, Andrew (December 1993). "Review: Pocky and Rocky". Hyper . No. 1. nextmedia. p. 52.
  18. Lawrence, Eddy; Swan, Paul (March 1993). "Super NES Review: Ki Ki Katai". Nintendo Magazine System . No. 6. United Kingdom: EMAP. pp. 80–83.
  19. Buxton, Chris (May 1993). "SNES Round-Up: Kikikaikai Ninja". Total! . No. 17. United Kingdom: Future Publishing. p. 36.
  20. Simmons, Alex; West, Allie (April 1993). "Review Control: Kikikaikai". Control. No. 8. Maverick Magazines. pp. 46–47.
  21. Weigand, Mike (June 1993). "Video Game Gallery: Pocky & Rocky". Electronic Games . Vol. 1, no. 9. Decker Publications. p. 63.
  22. Roberts, Nick; Millichamp, Rob (April 1993). "Force Rated: Kikikaikai". N-Force . No. 10. Impact Magazines. pp. 32–33.
  23. Wilde, Jane; Iredale, Andrew (November 1993). "Super NES Review: Pocky & Rocky". Nintendo Magazine System . No. 8. Australia: Trielle Corporation. pp. 46–48.
  24. O'Connor, Frank; Kirrane, Simon (April 1993). "Super Review: Pocky and Rocky". Super Action. No. 7. Europress. pp. 32–35.
  25. "A-Z of Games - Nintendo Games Index: Super NES". Super Gamer. No. 1. Paragon Publishing. April 1994. pp. 122–124.
  26. Burroughs, William (April 1993). "Import Review: Ki Ki Katai". Super Pro. No. 5. Paragon Publishing. pp. 24–25.
  27. "Buyer's Guide". Electronic Gaming Monthly . 1994.
  28. Super Famicom Magazine (August 1, 1993). "ゲーム通信簿". 90年11月から'93年6月21日発売までの323本を収録!! スーパーファミコンオールカタログ'93 (special supplement) (in Japanese). Tokuma Shoten. p. 10.
  29. Harris, Steve; Semrad, Ed; Alessi, Martin; Williams, Ken (July 1993). "Review Crew: Pocky & Rocky". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 48. Sendai Publishing. p. 22.
  30. "The Super Play All-time top 100 SNES games". Super Play . No. 42. Future Publishing. April 1996. pp. 28–41.
  31. "Pocky & Rocky 2". Nintendo Power . No. 64. Nintendo of America. September 1994. pp. 30–37.
  32. Arushan, Zosha (July 14, 2002). "Pocky & Rocky with Becky: Preview". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  33. Romano, Sal (18 October 2021). "Pocky & Rocky Reshrined delayed to spring 2022". Gematsu. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  34. VanOrd, Kevin (April 18, 2005). "Heavenly Guardian Review". GameSpot . Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2013.