PaRappa the Rapper
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| Developer(s) | NaNaOn-Sha {{#if:{{{publisher|}}}|<tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Publisher(s)<td>{{{publisher|}}} |
| Release date(s) | December 6, 1996 (JP) October 31, 1997 (NA) September, 1998 (EU) |
| Genre(s) | Music |
| Mode(s) | Single player {{#if:{{{ratings|}}}|<tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Rating(s)<td>{{{ratings|}}} |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation {{#if:{{{media|}}}|<tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Media<td>{{{media|}}} |
PaRappa the Rapper (Japanese: パラッパラッパー, 1996) is a rhythm video game for the Sony PlayStation created by Masaya Matsuura's NanaOn-Sha company.
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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, and provides snatches of spoken vocals (raps) 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 - 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 "U rappin' GOOD". By filling in and "freestyling", but still keeping in time with the sequence and rhythm, the player can attain "U rappin' COOL". If the level is completed at the "U rappin' COOL" level, the player is treated to a different ending to the level. If all levels are completed at COOL level, a different game ending is shown, and a bonus song can be accessed.
Plot
The player takes the role of a paper thin rapping dog that is trying to win the heart of a flower-like character, Sunny Funny. They hang out with his friends Katy Kat (a cat) and PJ Berri (a fat teddy bear). In his attempts to impress Sunny, he is often put down by his arch rival Joe Chin, a rich, narcissistic dog. PaRappa's journey begins with learning self-belief. In the first level, "I Need To Become A Hero!", he is taught the basics of gameplay at the local dojo by kung-fu master Chop Chop Master Onion. Later, he learns to drive with the fearsome Instructor Mooselini, learns the art of flea-market trading from Master Prince Fleaswallow, learns to cook with Cheap Cheap the Cooking Chicken, and must rap on stage with MC King Kong Mushi.
Visual style
While the gameplay is simplistic on a certain level, the game is remembered for its unique graphic design, its excellent soundtrack, and its bizarre plot. The unique visual style is that of Rodney Greenblat, an American graphic artist who is revered in Japan for his Wonder Bunny comic, amongst other works.
Songs
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.
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.
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.
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 accidently 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.
All Masters' Bathroom Rap Battle
Sunny Funny's birthday goes swell 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.
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.
Sequels
PaRappa the Rapper is regarded as the first "modern" popular rhythm game. It was followed by a spin-off titled Um Jammer 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 PaRappa the Rapper 2 for the PlayStation 2, Parappa has to save the world from being turned into noodles. He also has to become mature for his love, Sunny Funny. The game retains its goofy style and unique graphics. There are all new characters that Parappa has to rap with including Guru Ant, and Sista Moosesha. Characters from the series make appearances as well. For example Chop Chop Master Onion has a television show that teaches Parappa Romantic Karate.