Story Breakdown: The Pocky & Rocky Series - Defunct Games

If Natsume is going to continue remaking their classic games like Wild Guns and The Ninja Warriors, then I want to formally recommend they do the same for the Pocky & Rocky series. This was the (mostly) well-reviewed franchise that jumped from the arcades to the Super NES before eventually concluding on the Game Boy Advance in 2002. It's an exciting overhead shoot 'em up with adorable graphics, fun stories and the best use of a tanuki outside of Super Mario Bros 3. Turn back now if you don't want to know what happens next, because today we're going to spoil the stories and endings for the complete Pocky & Rocky franchise. This is Game Over: The Early Years!
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[@Bloodreign1]

Rocky, aka Manuke, is actually the final boss of the arcade Kiki Kaikai. Apparently when Sayo kicked his ass in the first game, he decided to join forces with her.

[@RemTilak]

Wow, the childhood nostalgia kicks in! Can't wait for another sequel. :-D

[@Xavier-zd7ms]

You finally got what you asked for. I can't wait for the sequel to come out next year.

[@anonymousidea9119]

Yyyyyyuuuuuuyyyyyyyy

[@Kirkpad]

Yeah, I would be stoked on a new game or a release of 1&2

[@reagandow850]

What a great episode. I would love to see a re-release of these games. Wow! You reminded me of just how much I loved this series. I can finally start commenting now that I binge watched and gave thumbs up to numerous videos of yours recently. I stumbled on yo and subscribed to your channel not long ago and just love it!!! Great work my friend.

[@UglyWinnie]

Oh man I love theses games. Was playing just one hour ago with a friend

[@thandons]

If you're interested in old games with heavy focus on Japanese ghosts and demons, I suggest Getsu Fuma Den. It's a cult classic Famicom metroidvania game by Konami, a great game with killer soundtrack that never made it to the US.

[@fredan421]

I only know of that game because they made it a dlc level in Castlevania: Harmony of Despair on the 360 and PS3. They remade 2 of the tracks from that game and they rock so hard I recommend you check them out if you haven't heard them already

[@barry-allenthe-flash8396]

I love the look back at this series. But I also gotta admit, I was hoping for at least a mention of _Heavenly Guardian_ here at the end. It may not have been officially part of the P&R series, but it began as one (a Gamecube entry, iirc) and that should count for something. I never played it either, so I was kinda curious.... actually, I've not played any of these :( I was *aware* of the SNES ones thanks to Nintendo Power spreads, but that's about it. I didn't really end up liking games oozing with this much Japanese culture until the late 90's, like a lot of kids high on anime and "Toonami buzz," I guess. By the time I was falling in love with games like _Goemon's Great Adventure_ on the N64, when I really would've appreciated something like _Pocky & Rocky,_ they weren't making them anymore. I'm with you 100% that a modern package a la _Ninja Warriors Again_ would be something I'd love to see in a heartbeat... and heck, maybe I'll just nab a copy of _Heavenly Guardian_ for PS2 anyway and finally see what that's about. QOTD: _Shock Troopers._ I hope the new SNK doesn't forget that they're more than just fighters. As much as I liked SNK Heroines and SamSho, and am looking forward to KOF XV, I *really* wanna see them do stuff with IP like _Shock Troopers, Magician Lord,_ and _Top Hunter._ I'd take a _Bionic Commando ReArmed_ treatment for any of those in a pinch, but I really would like to see them do some "AA" productions with some of them, at least. You'd imagine a proper modern _Shock Troopers_ would resemble something like... I dunno, _Relic Hunter Legends_ in terms of gameplay, but with cute, chunky 3D art like _Assault Android Cactus_ (minus the sci-fi slant, naturally). Maybe SNK should even adopt the model that Square-Enix and Sega are currently experimenting with, and let those IP open to indie studios. Like how Square Enix is letting indies have a crack at _Fear Effect,_ or Sega lets other studios develop _Panzer Dragoon_ remakes and games like _Wonder Boy_ or _Streets of Rage 4._

[@zemmik]

if they re-release, make it a twin stick shooter, i found control with 1 stick difficult....

[@cyberpunknut1099]

Yeah this series needs a compilation. The SNES games never even got virtual console releases. The prices for the carts today are absurd. They'd be easy to pack onto a disc/cart too, just don't cheap out like they did with ninja warriors and not put the arcade port on there. QOTD, I want to say Sunset Riders for the same reason, carts are harder to find and a direct port from the arcade with online play would be fun as hell. Would also like to see ports for Rastan 1 and 3 (not 2) and Osman.

[@Angellmbrr]

You are supposed to parry/bounce the enemies' projectiles and attacks but the hitbox is so small that you'll miss more than 50 percent of the attacks and get hit. Add the fact that your character moves so slowly and there's no stop button to shoot in a particular direction (a la super contra mode using the shoulder R button), this game can be very frustrating. Otherwise, the game is great but not easy.

[@JenMistress]

Think I remember seeing that game scrolling through MAME. May have to check it out. As for the question, I'll say Sailor Moon the Arcade Game. After all, with finally getting the release of Sailor Stars outside of Japan, plus how they have that Crystal series, I'm surprised they've not really capitalized on it with new video games.