Fans of kiki kai kai?

[NoSexGex]

Always quite enjoyed the Pocky/Rocky series on super famicom, didn't even realize there was an original release for the PC Engine.

Looked up a couple videos/gameplays. Looks good, but has anyone played through it before?

Here's a pic of me beating Pocky 1 solo, hardest game i've beat to date.

[esteban]

Always quite enjoyed the Pocky/Rocky series on super famicom, didn't even realize there was an original release for the PC Engine.

Looked up a couple videos/gameplays. Looks good, but has anyone played through it before?

Here's a pic of me beating Pocky 1 solo, hardest game i've beat to date.

The SFC game is damn fun, so I think the PCE entry has a tough crowd to please    (SFC --> PCE)

The PCE game stands on its own, but your mileage may vary.

[CrackTiger]

I thought that the PC Engine version is a port of the arcade?

I played the arcade a lot bitd, but my memory is that it was only ever at Safeway. I wasn't crazy about Pocky & Rocky as a rental, but still mean to give it a proper playthrough again.

[NoSexGex]

I thought that the PC Engine version is a port of the arcade?

Yeah i've heard it was an arcade port! Damn I wonder if i could ever find the board for it.

Your guys's opinions seem spot on with everything i've read so far..

[CrackTiger]

The aesthetics of the arcade weren't special for the time, but  it was still a very cool and unique experience and one of the games I remember most.

[SavagePencil]

I found the arcade pretty ruthless, and the home version a very accurate port of that!

[NoSexGex]

The aesthetics of the arcade weren't special for the time, but  it was still a very cool and unique experience and one of the games I remember most.

Definitely lacking graphically.. What about it made it so memorable for you?

I found the arcade pretty ruthless, and the home version a very accurate port of that!

Meant to be played with 2 players.. except for the last boss

[SavagePencil]

Meant to be played with 2 players.. except for the last boss

Wait, is it 2p simultaneous?  Always thought it was one player at a time.

[esteban]

I thought that the PC Engine version is a port of the arcade?

I played the arcade a lot bitd, but my memory is that it was only ever at Safeway. I wasn't crazy about Pocky & Rocky as a rental, but still mean to give it a proper playthrough again.

Many folks were *first* exposed to SNES Pocky&Rocky and then, if they liked it, they start digging and "discover" that there is *moar*...

It is specifically that sequence (playing SNES first --> then PCE) that shapes expectations (which may or may not be kind to an older game).

That's all I meant.

[Digi.k]

it's definitely a very hard game. I just wish the power up were well... more powerful!

my old kikikaikai gifs!
arcade

pc engine

arcade

pc engine

[SavagePencil]

If you're interested in a "spiritual successor" that errs too far on the side of easy, check out Heavenly Guardian on the Wii.

[SignOfZeta]

I'm a huge fan of the SFC version of the game, the arcade and PCE versions would still be great if the SFC ver never existed, but it does. The SFC is fantastic. It uses SFC style FX a lot and in a good way. A top 5 SFC game for me.

[Gredler]

If you're interested in a "spiritual successor" that errs too far on the side of easy, check out Heavenly Guardian on the Wii.

I have been on the fence about picking that up for years, is it any good? Better than that cloud master sequel I hope (the monkey king...)

I wonder if the ps2 version is better or worse than the wii.

[SavagePencil]

I have been on the fence about picking that up for years, is it any good? Better than that cloud master sequel I hope (the monkey king...)

I wonder if the ps2 version is better or worse than the wii.

It's DEFINITELY better than the two Cloud Master spiritual successors (Monkey King:  D+, Saint:  F-).  I found Heavenly Guardian very uneven in terms of difficulty.  Either a switch flipped and I suddenly went from scrub to pro, or the RNG woke up and started giving me a fair game.  The dual sticks on PS2 probably change the game, but I haven't played to verify.

There's also an SFC sequel to Pocky & Rocky, but I've never played it.  Any good?

[NoSexGex]

Wait, is it 2p simultaneous?  Always thought it was one player at a time.

Famicom/SNES version were 2P. I would be disappointed if the acrade /PCE version wasn't   

it's definitely a very hard game. I just wish the power up were well... more powerful!

my old kikikaikai gifs!

THESE ARE AMAZING, so cool you made these. I definitely thought my love for P&R wasn't shared, thanks for posting O:)

It doesn't look like Pocky can power up which is really disappointing, that's usually a pretty big hit for a shooter not to include powerups..

I'm a huge fan of the SFC version of the game, the arcade and PCE versions would still be great if the SFC ver never existed, but it does. The SFC is fantastic. It uses SFC style FX a lot and in a good way. A top 5 SFC game for me.

Damn i'm happy to hear i'm not alone. Soooo because of the SFC versions, they make the PCE port look lesser? I would agree comparing just video gameplay. One of my top SFC games too man. Such a rewarding feeling finishing them. I didn't like the second one though, felt borderline broken playing through it solo. Running the timer out, easier difficulty long boss battles ect..

If you're interested in a "spiritual successor" that errs too far on the side of easy, check out Heavenly Guardian on the Wii.

I've heard of this going through Wiki pages, looks decent enough. I'm in over my head already with TG16 pieces that i gotta beat. I'll definitely grab if i see it cheap anywhere.

[Digi.k]

[A Black Falcon]

Yeah, Kiki Kaikai is a pretty good game, I definitely like it.  I have the PCE version, and while it may not quite match up to Pocky & Rocky's greatness, it's a really good non-autoscrolling shooter with some amusing cartoony traditional Japanese graphics and very good gameplay.  This is a great series though, and all of the games are pretty good!  (On that note, it's unfortunate that the SNES and GBA games are so expensive, they're great games.)

I have been on the fence about picking that up for years, is it any good? Better than that cloud master sequel I hope (the monkey king...)

I wonder if the ps2 version is better or worse than the wii.

It's DEFINITELY better than the two Cloud Master spiritual successors (Monkey King:  D+, Saint:  F-).  I found Heavenly Guardian very uneven in terms of difficulty.  Either a switch flipped and I suddenly went from scrub to pro, or the RNG woke up and started giving me a fair game.  The dual sticks on PS2 probably change the game, but I haven't played to verify.

The PS2 version of Heavenly Guardian is unfortunately quite poor -- it's missing a level (and the cut one is probably the best level, too) and doesn't have dual stick support!  That's right, the right stick only lets you aim your supers, it does not let you aim your shots.  All you can do on the PS2 is lock your firing direction with a button, there is no twin-stick support.

As for the Wii version though, it's good.  It has some issues, such as that you have to beat it in one sitting since you only unlock level select after beating the game, and beating the game means beating two loops in that one sitting since that's how it works, but it is a good game and I did beat it.  I wrote up a review of the game a few years ago that you can read on my site here: http://www.blackfalcongames.net/?p=132  It's mostly a Wii review, but I also have the PS2 version so I cover the downgrades that version has in a few paragraphs at the end.  I gave the Wii version a B score and the PS2 one a C-.

As for Monkey King and Saint, while they are from Star Fish, the same studio as Heavenly Guardian (and also a few other remakes such as Devilish for the DS and also, I believe, Steel Empire for 3DS), yeah, those two games are pretty bad, unfortunately.  Monkey King is terrible, incredibly easy, and very short.  It's an awful game I would give a failing grade. As for Saint, it's definitely not good, but I do think it improves on Monkey King a bit, so I'd probably reverse those scores you gave them there.  Why do you think Saint is the worse of the two?  It's not quite as absurdly easy as Monkey King, and has more content and better gameplay too.  That's not saying a lot here, but it's something.

I thought that the PC Engine version is a port of the arcade?

Yeah i've heard it was an arcade port! Damn I wonder if i could ever find the board for it.

Your guys's opinions seem spot on with everything i've read so far..

If you can't find the arcade board, the arcade version of Kiki Kaikai is also included in Taito Legends 2 for the PS2.  It's a very good port of the game for the most part.

[NoSexGex]

Thanks for sharing! I've never seen this video before.. Very interesting. The little differences between the ports.. #java4life

[Gypsy]

This is on Taito Legends 2 iirc.

Looked and was surprised at how cheap Heavenly Guardian is, so I grabbed one.

[esteban]

This is on Taito Legends 2 iirc.

Looked and was surprised at how cheap Heavenly Guardian is, so I grabbed one.

Ha! This thread inspired me to order the Wii version of Heavenly Guardian.

So, that's kinda fun   (I never heard of the game)

This will be my reward for the massive cleaning of my basement/garage that has already stolen three days of my life.

[sirhcman]

I bought the PS2 version of Heavenly Guardian because I didn't want to experience the frustrations of the inferior (IMO) Wii controls. With that said its been about 9 months and I still haven't played it At least both versions are cheap to come by still!

[SavagePencil]

As for Monkey King and Saint, while they are from Star Fish, the same studio as Heavenly Guardian (and also a few other remakes such as Devilish for the DS and also, I believe, Steel Empire for 3DS), yeah, those two games are pretty bad, unfortunately.  Monkey King is terrible, incredibly easy, and very short.  It's an awful game I would give a failing grade. As for Saint, it's definitely not good, but I do think it improves on Monkey King a bit, so I'd probably reverse those scores you gave them there.  Why do you think Saint is the worse of the two?  It's not quite as absurdly easy as Monkey King, and has more content and better gameplay too.  That's not saying a lot here, but it's something.

It's been a while since I played them both, but I seem to remember Saint somehow having even less sprite animation, and its attempt to do a Space Harrier-style behind-the-back-shooter experience was laughably bad.

I would also like to throw out there that Taito Legends 2 is also available for Xbox, and has some slightly different games on it!

[esteban]

I bought the PS2 version of Heavenly Guardian because I didn't want to experience the frustrations of the inferior (IMO) Wii controls. With that said its been about 9 months and I still haven't played it At least both versions are cheap to come by still!

I have a PS2, so who knows? It might be the first PS2 game I've purchased in over 8 years...

[SavagePencil]

There's also an SFC sequel to Pocky & Rocky, but I've never played it.  Any good?

Pssst, did anyone try out the SNES sequel to P&R?

[JoshTurboTrollX]

Pocky and Rocky 2 is another good one.  Both SNES offerings are great. 

The PCE port of the arcade original is very fun as well!  The difficulty levels of the OBEY version is not shy as it shows it's hand from the get-go.

Difficulty-
SFC games<---------|------X---->PCE Arcade Port

[NoSexGex]

There's also an SFC sequel to Pocky & Rocky, but I've never played it.  Any good?

Pssst, did anyone try out the SNES sequel to P&R?

I quite recently played through it actually. I don't like it.

You have a mandatory computer second player this time, and for the most part their hot garbage. They just constantly die (especially in boss battles). Boss battles are terrible. I'm sure the game would be 100% easier with a legitimate 2nd player, but i've never played through the whole game co op. Bosses are still fun figuring out their pattern, but even after you find the pattern they take WAY too many hits.

Some boss battles you need all your lives, but for all the wrong reasons. The bosses have so much health you will frequently run the timer out. Each boss battle took me 10+ mins.

Pocky's power ups are different, when you're powered up you throw a giant card instead of the three little ones. I didn't like that. It's hard enough to shoot diagonally.

They took out the dash feature, which i thought gave the game good added difficulty. Since they took this out, you rely more on your purifying stick to swat away projectiles. Which makes the game much much easier. It only takes me a few tries to get through each level, instead of 50 times like the first game.

They also added RPG elements that i didn't like, you can collect coins and use them in stores. Problem is the save feature. Stores near the end of the game are very expensive, just gathering coins in the last level won't get you anything in the store, you have to save your coins from previous levels. which is fine, but if you turn off your game and use a password it doesn't save your coins. Minor, but the problems accumulate.

Lastly, you can morph with your team mate to do a unique ability. This is.. kind of cool i guess. destroy obstacles, hide from enemies (I think). Never used it much but it's there.

That's everything i can think of, i'de give it a 5/10.

[Gypsy]

I bought the PS2 version of Heavenly Guardian because I didn't want to experience the frustrations of the inferior (IMO) Wii controls. With that said its been about 9 months and I still haven't played it At least both versions are cheap to come by still!

I went for the Wii version but I do truely hate the Wii-mote in general.

I would also like to throw out there that Taito Legends 2 is also available for Xbox, and has some slightly different games on it!

Yeah I think it's around a 4 game difference. You gain Cadash and Rayforce but lose Raystorm and G-Darius. I don't really care about the other differences.

[otterboxer]

yes! i'm also a pocky and rocky fan so it gets my vote. It is pretty brutal at times. I wonder what it would play like with a joystick rather than a standard pad. Anyone played it with an ascii stick or equivalent?

[NoSexGex]

yes! i'm also a pocky and rocky fan so it gets my vote. It is pretty brutal at times. I wonder what it would play like with a joystick rather than a standard pad. Anyone played it with an ascii stick or equivalent?

I'm curious to hear the answer to this as well..

[Gredler]

I have a hori arcade stick for pce I will try this out tonight and also see if it's two player or not - was that ever confirmed?

[NoSexGex]

I have a hori arcade stick for pce I will try this out tonight and also see if it's two player or not - was that ever confirmed?

lucky lucky.. no it hans't been confirmed. let us know O:)

[Gredler]

I have failed you, and got too busy packing for a road trip that starts either tonight or tomorrow, so it will be Monday night at the earliest that I get this test run reported to you - and methinks you will get confirmation from a more reliable source before then ;)

As a note, I do not own the game, but will be trying it on my everdrive. That port-comparison video noted that this game is expensive, so I haven't even looked into it in an effort to not delve into a first world poverty depression.

[SavagePencil]

The arcade version (or at least the version included with Taito Legends 2 on Xbox) is 2 player alternating.  I have a loose HuCard of it, lemme see if I can dig it out and see how that works.

[NoSexGex]

I have failed you

20 lashes from the thorn whip for u

nah just kidding, no pc engine for a week 

[SavagePencil]

The arcade version (or at least the version included with Taito Legends 2 on Xbox) is 2 player alternating.  I have a loose HuCard of it, lemme see if I can dig it out and see how that works.

I can now confirm that the PC Engine version is:

1.  Single player only
2.  A really, really good port of the arcade

[A Black Falcon]

Even the arcade version of Kiki Kaikai is only two player alternating, so going from that to one player only (which, yes, it is, I also checked) is not too big of a difference.

And yeah, the PCE version is a fantastic port.  I might even like the audio better on the PCE than the PS2 emulated arcade game in Taito Legends 2...

I bought the PS2 version of Heavenly Guardian because I didn't want to experience the frustrations of the inferior (IMO) Wii controls. With that said its been about 9 months and I still haven't played it At least both versions are cheap to come by still!

I have a PS2, so who knows? It might be the first PS2 game I've purchased in over 8 years...

I know I said this earlier in the thread, but get the Wii version if you can at all!  The PS2 version does not let you freely aim in one direction while you move in another direction, only move and lock your firing direction as you move around, so it's kind of awful controls-wise compared to the Wii, where you can move with the stick while you aim with the pointer.  You'd think that the PS2 would have twin-stick controls, but it doesn't; the right stick is only for aiming your snow attack.

Also the PS2 version doesn't have level 7 in it, which is one of my favorite stages, and has no added content to make up for that.

[esteban]

I have a PS2, so who knows? It might be the first PS2 game I've purchased in over 8 years...

I know I said this earlier in the thread, but get the Wii version if you can at all!  The PS2 version does not let you freely aim in one direction while you move in another direction, only move and lock your firing direction as you move around, so it's kind of awful controls-wise compared to the Wii, where you can move with the stick while you aim with the pointer.  You'd think that the PS2 would have twin-stick controls, but it doesn't; the right stick is only for aiming your snow attack.

Also the PS2 version doesn't have level 7 in it, which is one of my favorite stages, and has no added content to make up for that.

I followed your advice and bought the Wii version.

[EmperorIng]

It's worth noting that the PCE port does not go into a second loop, as opposed to its arcade inspiration.

The levels are slightly different as well, offering branching paths vs. long stretches in the original.

In general, the PCE port is a very fine game, much like its forebear. What is most appealing about it is the twitchy nature of the game: the constant stream of enemies forces you to be on your guard from all sides as you trudge your way through the stages. Once enemies start firing bullets on stage 3-onwards, things become incredibly tricky navigating Sayo's sprite through the stages. I think my only real complaint is the random nature of the power-up drops and how frustratingly dodgy the boss-hitboxes feel (it never seems like your hitting them in just the right spot to actually damage them).

[otterboxer]

Two player simultaneously would have been choice. I take it rocky didn't arrive until the snes version?

[EmperorIng]

Rocky, or rather Manuke, is the final boss of the original arcade game.

[NoSexGex]

Rocky, or rather Manuke, is the final boss of the original arcade game.

Wow i would have never have guessed that.. Curious what the dialogue to that is like

[EmperorIng]

Ha ha, there's no dialog in the original. Essentially, goblins have kidnapped the lucky goddesses, and Sayo is a bad enough shrine maiden to rescue them.

Manuke is the leader of the goblins and shapeshifts into Sayo during the fight. After beating him you need to find three hidden scrolls in an endlessly-scrolling area with tons of enemies spawning in order to free the goddesses - this is a really tough gauntlet.

After the game, for a reason I don't know, the two become friends (probably because Natsume said to themselves "we want 2P and this makes sense") and team up to fight evil western gaijin ghost Black Mantle who is using his hard-gay thugs to muscle in on traditional Japanese ghost/goblin turf.

[esteban]

My nickname in middle school was "Black Mantle"...long story. 

[NoSexGex]

This sounds like a decently long game then. My curiosity is at its peak now, i must play this.

Black mantel eh

[SavagePencil]

I saw in the Taito Legends ver that you can press both buttons to fire off some sort of crystal orb.  How and when do you acquire that?

[EmperorIng]

Crystal orbs are found hidden in stages (revealed by shooting scenery - usually hidden at one of those stone lantern padoga things, or in random corners). Yellow Crystals freeze enemies, while White ones destroy everything on screen.

[SavagePencil]

Are they round and obviously crystal orbs, or are they the little wing/quill shaped things that I thought were just for points?

[EmperorIng]

you couldn't mistake the orbs, because you see them on the bottom of the screen after you pick them up. I don't know what the quill things you are talking about, but you collect different colored cards (what you shoot) to power up your attack (white/blue: increased range; red: pierce enemies; yellow: larger shot). Maybe you are talking about the 1-ups, which are shaped like Sayo's spirit-stick thing she uses as a melee attack.

That's about all there is to the game, mechanically. The rest is learning how to move and dodge.

[ChuChu Flamingo]

PCE version certainly has big shoes to fill compared to the SFC/SNES versions, I'll have to try this sometime.

[NoSexGex]

Time to find an aestitically looking Everdrive..