PaRappa the Rapper
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| PaRappa the Rapper | |
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| Developer(s) | NaNaOn-Sha |
| Publisher(s) | SCEI |
| Release date(s) |  December 6, 1996  October 31, 1997 September, 1998 |
| Genre(s) | Music |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Kids to Adults (K-A) |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation |
PaRappa the Rapper (Japanese: パラッパラッパー, 1996), also known as "PaRappaRappa", and "PaRappa the Rappa" is a rhythm video game for the Sony PlayStation created by Masaya Matsuura's NanaOn-Sha company. Released in the mid 1990s, it was one of the first rhythm video games of its time. While the gameplay is simplistic on a certain level, the game is remembered for its unique graphic design, its quirky soundtrack, and its bizarre plot. The game is named after its protagonist, PaRappa, a rapping dog with the motto "I gotta believe!"
It spawned a merchandising campaign in Japan, a spinoff in 1999, an Anime, and a direct sequel for PlayStation 2 in 2002. In December 2006, a PlayStation Portable remake of the original game was released in Japan. A US version of the PSP remake has not been announced.
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[edit] Gameplay
Considered revolutionary in its day, PaRappa the Rapper is superficially similar to the classic 1980s game Simon, in which the player is required to repeat a sequence of sounds and light. PaRappa the Rapper demands that the player not only get the sequence correct but also the timing of the sequence. The game provides small portions of spoken vocals that are triggered when the appropriate buttons are pressed. Pressing the buttons in the correct order, with the correct timing, provides an intelligible imitation of rap, while pressing the buttons in an incorrect order or with lousy timing rewards the player with nothing more than unintelligible garbage.
Points are awarded for correctness and "style". By simply following the given sequence, the best a player can attain is the "U rappin' GOOD" rating. To get a higher rating, the player must "freestyle"; that is, to deviate from the given sequence but still keep in time with the song's rhythm. Through this method, the player can attain a "U rappin' COOL" rating. Alternately, if the player continues to play poorly, they may lose points and attain "U rappin' BAD" and "U rappin' AWFUL" ratings.
If the stage is completed with a BAD or AWFUL rating, the player cannot continue and is offered an option to try to attempt the stage again or to quit. If the stage is completed with a GOOD or COOL rating, the player continues to the next stage. If all stages are completed at COOL rating, the player is awarded with an alternate game ending, and a bonus song can be accessed.
[edit] Plot
The player takes on the role of PaRappa, a paper-thin rapping dog who is trying to win the heart of the flower-like character, Sunny Funny. He is aided by his friends Katy Kat (an enthusiastic cat) and PJ Berri (a fat teddy bear DJ with a huge appetite). Also vying for Sunny Funny's attention is PaRappa's arch rival Joe Chin, a rich, narcissistic dog.
To impress Sunny Funny, PaRappa learns to fight at a kung-fu dojo, takes a driver's education course to get his license, learns the art of flea-market training to raise money for a new car, bakes a seafood cake and, finally, performs a hip hop song on stage at a party.
[edit] Visual style
The unique visual style is that of Rodney Greenblat, an American graphic artist who is popular in Japan. All of the characters appear to be flat, two dimensional beings cut from paper while the surroundings are primarily three dimensional. While the setting is a bright interpretation of an urban city, the characters range from anthropomorphic animals (frogs, spiders, dogs, etc.) to lively versions of normally inanimate objects (onions, hammers, flowers, etc.)
[edit] Songs
[edit] Chop Chop Master Onion's Rap
After watching a Jet Baby movie with his friends, PaRappa and the gang go to a nearby diner for lunch. Through an inner monologue, we learn about Sunny Funny, PaRappa's crush. Not long afterwards, two bullies burst into the diner, and begin harassing PaRappa and his friends. Suddenly, Joe Chin, a muscular braggart whom Sunny admires, jumps into the scene, and begins a long-winded speech before attempting to fight off the bullies.
PaRappa, wanting to learn how to fight for himself, decides to go to the Fruites Dojo.
If PaRappa scores 'COOL' on this level, Chop Chop will kick all the walls down, allowing PaRappa to rap for himself.
[edit] Instructor Mooselini's Rap
Having mastered kung-fu, PaRappa takes Sunny Funny and the gang out to the burger joint, as usual. Joe Chin arrives in his stretch limousine, and everyone is stunned. Realising that a car will impress Sunny, PaRappa heads to the driving instructor's to learn how to drive.
He is assigned Mooselini, a tough strict moose to be his intructor, and the rap begins.
If PaRappa scores 'COOL' on this level, Mooselini will fly into the air and PaRappa will have to rap for himself.
[edit] Prince Fleaswallow's Rap
While out driving his dad's car with his newly acquired licence, PaRappa accidentally crashes the car, and is left with a gigantic bill he does not have the money for. Determined to solve the problem without his dad's help, PaRappa decides to get a job for the money.
PaRappa takes a job at the flea market, and is taught the ways of the stand by its owner, Prince Fleaswallow, who helps PaRappa sell useless junk as the rap begins.
If PaRappa scores 'COOL' on this level, Prince Fleaswallow will say "Oh oh, you're too wicked for me, frogs need to hibernate, let me know if need anything, ribet." allowing PaRappa to rap for himself.
[edit] Cheep Cheep Cooking Chicken's Rap
His car replaced with an even better one, PaRappa prepares himself for Sunny Funny's upcoming birthday. He buys her a small cake, but Joe Chin one-ups him and cooks her an incredibly large cake (one with 42 floors), and PaRappa accidentally drops the one he bought for Sunny, landing face-first in it. Strapped for cash after paying the bill, PaRappa decides he needs to prove his worth and bake a cake himself, too.
Tuning into a cooking TV program, PaRappa watches the skilled TV chef Cheep Cheep as the rap begins.
If Parapps scores 'COOL' on this level. Cheep Cheep will turn the TV off and PaRappa will have to rap for himself.
[edit] All Masters' Bathroom Rap Battle
Sunny Funny's birthday goes well for PaRappa, and he is driving her back to her house so she can get ready for their date later that night. However, PaRappa has had a bit too much to eat, and desperately needs the bathroom. He finds one in a truck stop, so he pulls over.
As he rushes to the stall, he notices all his previous masters need the toilet as well, and are not going to give it up for free. The masters and PaRappa decide to "Rap for it!", and the rap begins.
If PaRappa scores 'COOL' on this level, a rainbow portal will open up, Parappa will be chasing a toilet on a train-track, allowing him to rap for himself.
[edit] MC King Kong Mushi's Rap
PaRappa, ready for his date with Sunny Funny, drives to her house. He picks her up in his car, and drives down the road to the concert hall, where PaRappa will be performing a rap with the main attraction, rap master MC King Kong Mushi.
PaRappa gets there, and walks onstage as MC King Kong Mushi stands before him. Mushi gets the crowd going as the rap begins.
If PaRappa scores 'COOL' on this level, MC King Kong Mushi will leave and PaRappa will have to rap for himself.
[edit] Sequels, Spin-Offs, and Remakes
PaRappa the Rapper is regarded as the first "modern" popular rhythm game. It was followed by a spin-off titled UmJammer Lammy and a sequel, PaRappa the Rapper 2. It has spawned a large range of merchandising and a children's anime TV series, PaRappa Rappa(パラッパラッパ), in Japan.
In December 2006, a PlayStation Portable remake of PaRappa the Rapper was released in Japan. The game features all six of the original stages, smoother graphics and is presented in a wider screen format. A US version has not been announced
[edit] External links
- Official PaRappa Homepage
- PaRappa the Rapper at MobyGames
- Rodney Alan Greenblat´s page - the main game illustrator
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PaRappa the Rapper series
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Games: PaRappa the Rapper • UmJammer Lammy • PaRappa the Rapper 2 • PaRappa the Rapper PSP |
