Pocky & Rocky (video game)

Template:Short description Template:Main other{{#invoke:infobox|infoboxTemplate | child = | subbox = | bodyclass = ib-video-game hproduct {{#ifeq:|yes|collapsible {{#if:|{{{state}}}|autocollapse}}}} | templatestyles = Infobox video game/styles.css | aboveclass = fn | italic title =

| above = Pocky & Rocky

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| caption = {{#if:Pocky & Rocky box.jpg|North American box art|North American box art}}

| label2 = DeveloperTemplate:Pluralize from text | data2 = Natsume Co., Ltd.

| label3 = PublisherTemplate:Pluralize from text | data3 = Template:Vgrelease

| label4 = DirectorTemplate:Pluralize from text | data4 = Template:If first display both

| label5 = ProducerTemplate:Pluralize from text | data5 = Template:If first display both

| label6 = DesignerTemplate:Pluralize from text | data6 = Template:If first display both

| label7 = ProgrammerTemplate:Pluralize from text | data7 = Kazuhiko Ishihara<ref name="credits" />

| label8 = ArtistTemplate:Pluralize from text | data8 = Shunichi Taniguchi
Tomoyuki Nishiyama
Yoshihino Hattori<ref name="credits" />

| label9 = WriterTemplate:Pluralize from text | data9 = Template:If first display both

| label10 = ComposerTemplate:Pluralize from text | data10 = Hiroyuki Iwatsuki<ref name="credits" />

| label11 = Series | data11 = Pocky & Rocky

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| label13 = PlatformTemplate:Pluralize from text | data13 = Super NES

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| label15 = GenreTemplate:Pluralize from text | data15 = Scrolling shooter

| label16 = ModeTemplate:Pluralize from text | data16 = Single-player, multiplayer

| label17 = Arcade system | data17 = Template:If first display both

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}}Template:Main other{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|ignoreblank=1|preview=Page using Template:Infobox video game with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"| alt | arcade system | artist | caption | border | child | collapsible | commons | composer | designer | developer | director | embedded | engine | fetchwikidata | genre | image | image_size | image_upright | italic title | modes | noicon | onlysourced | platform | platforms | producer | programmer | publisher | qid | refs | release | released | series | state | subbox | suppressfields | title | writer }}Template:Main other{{#if:Pocky & Rocky box.jpg|}}Pocky & RockyTemplate:Efn 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.

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

File: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.<ref name="GameProPAR"/> The screen can move either horizontally or vertically and the player-controlled characters can move in eight directions.<ref name="SPk"/> The game features six levels and allows its players to continue indefinitely.<ref name="hardcore_gaming" /><ref name="VGCEpar"/> 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.<ref name="VGCEpar"/>

Pocky can use her Template:Transliteration to hit enemies from afar or swing her gohei to damage enemies close up.<ref name="hardcore_gaming" /> Likewise, Rocky can throw leaves across the screen or quickly turn his backside and swing his tail.<ref name="NPpar"/> 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.<ref name="manual" /> 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.<ref name="manual" />

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,<ref name="SPk"/> 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.<ref name="manual" />

Plot

Set in a Far East-themed world,<ref name="TOTDEpar"/> Pocky & Rocky is about a young miko<ref name="hardcore_gaming" /> girl named Pocky (known in Japan as Template:Nihongo) who is tending to a Shinto shrine when she is visited by Rocky the Tanuki, or raccoon dog (known in Japan as Template:Nihongo). 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.<ref name="manual" />

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.<ref name="SPk"/><ref name="hardcore_gaming" />

It was released for the Super Famicom in Japan on December 22, 1992.<ref name="FamKKNNKM" /> In Japan, Pocky & Rocky was broadcast on the Satellaview service on June 6, 1997.<ref name="satellaview" />

Reception

Template:Video game reviews Template:Expand section 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.<ref name="SuFaMav1i1">Template:Cite book</ref> The game received generally favorable reviews from critics.<ref name="GameProPAR">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="NPpar">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="EGMpar">Template:Cite magazine</ref> In 1996, Super Play ranked it as number 91 on its list of the top 100 SNES games.<ref name="SP42">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

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.<ref name="nintendo_power_64" /> 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.<ref name="nintendo_world_report_pocky_rocky_becky" /> The latest entry, Pocky & Rocky Reshrined, was released for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in 2022,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref name="gamespot_heavenly_guardian" />

References

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External links

• Pocky & Rocky at GameFAQs
• Pocky & Rocky at MobyGames