Pocky & Rocky 2
Encyclopedia
Pocky & Rocky 2 is an action-adventure
video game developed and published by Natsume in Japan
and North America
, and published in PAL region
s by Ocean Software
for the Super NES
video game console
. It is the sequel to Pocky & Rocky
.
games but giving the player free eight-directional movement. Player one controls the main protagonist, Pocky, who attacks by throwing o-fuda talismans (referred to as "cards" in English versions). Pocky can pick up items to improve her attack power and new clothes to protect herself from damage, as well as throw player 2's character and use magic. Player 2 assumes a supporting role as one of Pocky's friends each possessing a unique attack and unlimited lives. If there is no second player, the supporting character will be CPU controlled.
Humorously, Pocky can use Player 2's character as a utility in various ways. Using "magic," she can painfully force herself into her partner's mind and control their body for a short time, enabling unique abilities depending on who she possesses. Additionally, she can throw her partner at enemies to attack, doing massive damage to the enemy but temporarily killing the thrown character. This exploitation of player 2 is a notable departure from the previous game, in which player 1 and Player 2 had similar powers and were equally valuable.
in English versions) is Pocky's friend and one of Player 2's selectable characters. He attacks by throwing leaves. When magically possessed by Pocky, he gains the ability to find hidden treasures. Rocky was one of the main protagonists the original Pocky and Rocky.
, and the first character to join Pocky's party. He is not selectable from the beginning of a level, but player 2 can assume control of him by switching characters mid-level. Tengy throws bouncing leaves, and using magic allows him to fly over some obstacles. He strongly resembles the tengu enemies from the original Pocky and Rocky. When thrown at a boss he creates a large stream of energy.
who thinks himself to be very cool and handsome, and the second character to join Pocky's team. He is not selectable from the beginning of a level but player 2 can assume control of him by switching characters mid-level. He attacks by throwing sickles that boomerang back to him, and using magic transforms him into a pogo stick. When thrown at a boss he creates a pillar of blue and white energy.
who joins Pocky's team to avoid losing face in front of his friends. He is not selectable from the beginning of a level, but player 2 can assume control of him by switching characters mid-level. He attacks by summoning other moles. When using magic, Digger can travel underground. When thrown at a boss he creates a pillar of darkness that originates from a hole that he stares out of menacingly.
Action-adventure game
An action-adventure game is a video game that combines elements of the adventure game genre with various action game elements. It is perhaps the broadest and most diverse genre in gaming, and can include many games which might better be categorized under narrow genres...
video game developed and published by Natsume in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, and published in PAL region
PAL region
The PAL region is a television publication territory which covers most of Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Western Europe...
s by Ocean Software
Ocean Software
The British company Ocean Software was one of the biggest European video game developers/publishers of the 1980s and 90s...
for the Super NES
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
video game console
Video game console
A video game console is an interactive entertainment computer or customized computer system that produces a video display signal which can be used with a display device to display a video game...
. It is the sequel to Pocky & Rocky
Pocky & Rocky
Pocky & Rocky, known in Japan as , is a scrolling shooter video game with action elements licensed by Taito to Natsume, who developed and published the game for release in Japan in 1992 and the rest of the world in 1993...
.
Gameplay
The game is played in a top-down view, featuring many elements from classic shoot 'em upShoot 'em up
Shoot 'em up is a subgenre of shooter video games. In a shoot 'em up, the player controls a lone character, often in a spacecraft or aircraft, shooting large numbers of enemies while dodging their attacks. The genre in turn encompasses various types or subgenres and critics differ on exactly what...
games but giving the player free eight-directional movement. Player one controls the main protagonist, Pocky, who attacks by throwing o-fuda talismans (referred to as "cards" in English versions). Pocky can pick up items to improve her attack power and new clothes to protect herself from damage, as well as throw player 2's character and use magic. Player 2 assumes a supporting role as one of Pocky's friends each possessing a unique attack and unlimited lives. If there is no second player, the supporting character will be CPU controlled.
Humorously, Pocky can use Player 2's character as a utility in various ways. Using "magic," she can painfully force herself into her partner's mind and control their body for a short time, enabling unique abilities depending on who she possesses. Additionally, she can throw her partner at enemies to attack, doing massive damage to the enemy but temporarily killing the thrown character. This exploitation of player 2 is a notable departure from the previous game, in which player 1 and Player 2 had similar powers and were equally valuable.
Pocky
Pocky is the main character, and is always controlled by player 1. She is a shrine maiden who attacks by throwing talismans and swinging a purification rod. Though dutiful and good-natured, her chaotic brand of teamwork frequently involves more pain than intended.Rocky
Rocky the Tanuki (called a raccoonRaccoon
Procyon is a genus of nocturnal mammals, comprising three species commonly known as raccoons, in the family Procyonidae. The most familiar species, the common raccoon , is often known simply as "the" raccoon, as the two other raccoon species in the genus are native only to the tropics and are...
in English versions) is Pocky's friend and one of Player 2's selectable characters. He attacks by throwing leaves. When magically possessed by Pocky, he gains the ability to find hidden treasures. Rocky was one of the main protagonists the original Pocky and Rocky.
Bomber Bob
Bomber Bob is one of Player 2's selectable characters. He is a large and powerful man who attacks by hurling heavy spiked balls a short distance in front of him. When using magic, he gains the ability to lift rock obstacles. His relationship to Pocky is not explained. When thrown at a boss he creates a large Japanese character that hurts those to enter it.Little Ninja
Little Ninja is one of player 2's selectable characters. She attacks by throwing shurikens and can use a katana at close range. When using magic, she gains the ability to open locked chests without need of a key. When thrown at a boss she creates a pillar of fire.Tengy
Tengy is a TenguTengu
are a class of supernatural creatures found in Japanese folklore, art, theater, and literature. They are one of the best known yōkai and are sometimes worshipped as Shinto kami...
, and the first character to join Pocky's party. He is not selectable from the beginning of a level, but player 2 can assume control of him by switching characters mid-level. Tengy throws bouncing leaves, and using magic allows him to fly over some obstacles. He strongly resembles the tengu enemies from the original Pocky and Rocky. When thrown at a boss he creates a large stream of energy.
Scarecrow
Scarecrow is a suave scarecrowScarecrow
A scarecrow is, essentially, a decoy, though traditionally, a human figure dressed in old clothes and placed in fields by farmers to discourage birds such as crows or sparrows from disturbing and feeding on recently cast seed and growing crops.-History:In Kojiki, the oldest surviving book in Japan...
who thinks himself to be very cool and handsome, and the second character to join Pocky's team. He is not selectable from the beginning of a level but player 2 can assume control of him by switching characters mid-level. He attacks by throwing sickles that boomerang back to him, and using magic transforms him into a pogo stick. When thrown at a boss he creates a pillar of blue and white energy.
Digger
Digger is a moleMole (animal)
Moles are small cylindrical mammals adapted to a subterranean lifestyle. They have velvety fur; tiny or invisible ears and eyes; and short, powerful limbs with large paws oriented for digging. The term is especially and most properly used for the true moles, those of the Talpidae family in the...
who joins Pocky's team to avoid losing face in front of his friends. He is not selectable from the beginning of a level, but player 2 can assume control of him by switching characters mid-level. He attacks by summoning other moles. When using magic, Digger can travel underground. When thrown at a boss he creates a pillar of darkness that originates from a hole that he stares out of menacingly.