Game Debate #123: Parappa the Rapper

[Reed Rothchild | 9,533]

[Bearcat-Doug | 5,105]

I remember when this came out, but I didn't even have the desire to rent it back then, so I don't imagine that I'll ever play it.

[RH | 4,903]

I played the demo on a disc.  Thought it was just ok, but was never compelled to own it.  I picked up Um Jammer Lammy for cheap and I'm not much of a fan but it's on my shelf.  I don't think it's bad but it's not my thing so I gave it a 4/10.

I chose Majora's Mask.  We need a blood bath and ranking that one over OOT is likely to provide that.

[Sumez | 2,952]

Pretty hard to realistically rate this game.

It's such a massive classic in terms of the style, characters and the iconic songs. Who the hell doesn't recognize "kick, punch, it's all in the mind!". It's catchy, funny and memorable, and still works today.

But as anyone who has played the game would probably agree with - as a game, it's just barely functional, and there's usually no logic behind when you succeed or when you fail. Going into overdrive mode is easier by just spamming the buttons way outside of the stuff you're supposed to be rapping, and doesn't require any sort of rhythm or flow.

Honestly, a remake featuring the same songs but when completely revamped gameplay to actually work as a coherent rhythm game would just be money ripe for the taking. Hell, combine the original game and the sequel (or even Um Jammer Lammy) if that doesn't seem beefy enough.

5/10 is as far as I can stretch it, and that's entirely because of how much I love the songs and the humor.

[Brickman | 3,986]

Never played it and probably never will. Just posting to say two things:

1) I have just discovered this game isn’t called papatherappa like I have been reading it all these years.

2) no matter which Zelda game wins it’s going to be a shit storm in the comments section.

[Reed Rothchild | 9,533]

40 minutes ago, Brickman said:

Never played it and probably never will. Just posting to say two things:

1) I have just discovered this game isn’t called papatherappa like I have been reading it all these years.

2) no matter which Zelda game wins it’s going to be a shit storm in the comments section.

lmao

"Wait, it's not Nobunga's Ambition?"

[twiztor | 851]

interesting choice, @Reed Rothchild. not a game that really ever gets talked about now, but was EVERYWHERE back in 97 or whatever. I occasionally think about adding this to my collection, but i know i would never play it, so i haven't. yet. but still, maybe someday.....

[wongojack | 215]

2 hours ago, Sumez said:

Pretty hard to realistically rate this game.

It's such a massive classic in terms of the style, characters and the iconic songs. Who the hell doesn't recognize "kick, punch, it's all in the mind!". It's catchy, funny and memorable, and still works today.

But as anyone who has played the game would probably agree with - as a game, it's just barely functional, and there's usually no logic behind when you succeed or when you fail. Going into overdrive mode is easier by just spamming the buttons way outside of the stuff you're supposed to be rapping, and doesn't require any sort of rhythm or flow.

Honestly, a remake featuring the same songs but when completely revamped gameplay to actually work as a coherent rhythm game would just be money ripe for the taking. Hell, combine the original game and the sequel (or even Um Jammer Lammy) if that doesn't seem beefy enough.

5/10 is as far as I can stretch it, and that's entirely because of how much I love the songs and the humor.

This - All of it

I have TRIED to play this game, but it just doesn't work.  It really does pull you in with the characters and music but then massively disappoints with the gameplay. 3/10 from me

Edited October 13, 2022 by wongojack

[DarkTone | 984]

 

[Reed Rothchild | 9,533]

I haven't played it.  Would give it a shot.  But I did have Umjammer Lammy, and agree, there is no rhyme or reason to success or fail.

 

[JamesRobot | 5,800]

Never cared about it.

Now Zelda is another story.  I played Ocarina in tha day but didn't play Majora's Mask until it released on 3DS.  I waffle on my stance on Ocarina but my opinion is generally positive.  Majora's Mask is virtually unplayable though.  I just can't get my head around the timed levels.

[CMR | 520]

I want to like parappa, but I suck at rhythm games.  It's more fun for me to just watch it on youtube.

[fox | 1,667]

Tons of charm with it's cute cutout characters and uber catchy songs.  I think I enjoyed umjammer lamby a little more, since it had guitar effects, parappa remix mode, and multiplayer.  Both are recommended if you like quirky games.
 

 

Edited October 14, 2022 by fox

[TDIRunner | 2,740]

Played a little bit of it when it first came out, but it was never really my thing.  

[G-type | 2,482]

Rhythm games are a cool genre, but my memory of this one is that is was punishingly hard. The music is dorky but god damn are some of those raps earworms... I only played this game a few times at my friends house 25 years ago, but I still remember "Kick - Punch - it's all in the mind!" or "Ribbit Ribbit I can't Hold it" like it was yesterday.

[Bearcat-Doug | 5,105]

10 hours ago, JamesRobot said:

Never cared about it.

Now Zelda is another story.  I played Ocarina in tha day but didn't play Majora's Mask until it released on 3DS.  I waffle on my stance on Ocarina but my opinion is generally positive.  Majora's Mask is virtually unplayable though.  I just can't get my head around the timed levels.

Ocarina is awesome. I've never even played Majora's Mask. The whole timed element kinda threw me off as well since the Zelda games are based around exploring.

[OptOut | 8,884]

I just wanted to vote on the N64 bit.

[cj_robot | 542]

Yes, the game is basically broken, but the songs are so damn catchy and I still genuinely have a good time whenever I do pop it in. 6/10

[Reed Rothchild | 9,533]

3 hours ago, OptOut said:

I just wanted to vote on the N64 bit.

It's a trap

[Webhead123 | 675]

Remember what a big deal this game was when it came out...but I've never played it and, honestly, rhythm games are not my thing, so I don't ever see myself putting any time into Parappa.

[DefaultGen | 5,405]

5/10, awesome style, terrible game. I play a lot of rhythm games including ones with really tight timing. The timing in Parappa is so tight and makes no sense. It will have one button press for a two syllable word like "gotta" and it's entirely unclear what the perfect timing is. Parappa's fat imprecise head passes almost entirely over the note before the proper timing too, so you can't even do it visually. 

[Lynda Monica | 350]

I rate the imaginary category of "Always been curious, but likely won't play."

It's always seemed like one of those games that has a hardcore cult following, but isn't actually very special. That kind of game is usually restricted to the weirder Sega consoles with games like Kolibri, Popful Mail, NiGHTS into Dreams, and Samba De Amigo. The kind of games that fans of the system say are fantastic, but aren't interesting to anybody else.

Parappa's fan base is so vocal that people always assume it's a classic, but it's never looked very good to me. I've been burned by these cult classic type of games too many times to fall for it anymore, so I'd never go out of my way to play it at this point.

[LostLevel83 | 85]

Played it on a demo disc back in the day, then got the retail game when I started collecting.

Flawed for sure, but the nostalgia hit is potent.

[Kguillemette | 1,544]

I enjoy a good rhythm game so I'm interested in trying it at some point. Seems from the comments that this is not a good one however.

[WhyNotZoidberg | 585]

9/10, a true classic