Chippoke Ralph No Daibouken

[szycag]

Amazing, amazing 2D platformer for the PS1. I've had more time to devote to it now that I ripped it and put it on my PSP.

GaijinPunch: I just watched your All Clear vid... ahh, I'm not worthy! Big respect to you! This game is tough!

Not much else to say about this game... just give it a shot if you're able to!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=aG2dJG4Bg5o

[GaijinPunch]

Yeah, it's a good one. Gets tough at the end, but there's a lot of extends in the game if you chain the fruits right. The last boss fight is pretty tough too. He almost came back on me in that vid. I captured the easy ending (stops at stage 5, FYI) and the intro but never uploaded them. Video section at gamengai is down. perhaps I should open it up again.

[CIT]

Wise fwom the gwave!

Been getting really into this game recently and it's soooo damn good! Probably one of the most intelligently designed platformers I've played. Presentation is top-notch as well.

I came upon something strange in Stage 1-2. If I ride the elevator up to the third floor and keep banging my sword against the wall really fast, sometimes it triggers a blue explosion and a beam of light that travels up the screen. Any body know what's up with that?

I also took a pic:

[GaijinPunch]

Welcome to Bonus Stage?
Interesting find.

Why did I sell mine? Oh, yeah, b/c I have no fucking time to play it. Great game though... one of the best on the system.

[Leandro]

I always wanted to know one thing - who is the woman at the intro and the end? His mother?

[GaijinPunch]

I always wanted to know one thing - who is the woman at the intro and the end? His mother?

Been years... I think it's his bitch.
Always thought he was cursed to be small, but is really a man.

[CMoon]

Watched a little of this on youtube. Surprised it was never localized as it looks really nice.

[GaijinPunch]

Is super play still up? I put a 1CC vid up of it ages ago.

[CIT]

The best replay I could find is this one:
http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm653748 (Stage 1 and continues with a new video for each stage)

He pretty much gets all fruit chains that are possible and shows all(?) secrets. By stage 5 he's collected something like 23 extends and does some heavy checkpoint milking (luckily edited out).

[Ed Oscuro]

Argh, screw you guys. I made the jump and bought 16-bit's copy off eBay. I used to think the guy price gouged a bit but his was way more reasonable than the usual suspects asking 50% more or not showing good photos. Looks like it's in good shape too.

[CIT]

Cool! I think you'll dig it. You can even find some hidden X68000s in the game.

[Skykid]

Awesome little game. I got GP's obscure demo featuring a random Famitsu mascot instead of Ralph, very interesting thing.

[Venom]

Think I still have a copy of this, will need to dig it out and hook up the old PS1 sometime and have some fun.

[BIL]

Have wanted this game so FN much for years, but haven't gotten around to it. Quality.

[Leandro]

I always wanted to know one thing - who is the woman at the intro and the end? His mother?

Been years... I think it's his bitch.
Always thought he was cursed to be small, but is really a man.

oh thanks, that makes sense now. I remember I got some incest vibes from those cutscenes, but turns out it's just my sick mind

[Skykid]

I always wanted to know one thing - who is the woman at the intro and the end? His mother?

Been years... I think it's his bitch.
Always thought he was cursed to be small, but is really a man.

oh thanks, that makes sense now. I remember I got some incest vibes from those cutscenes, but turns out it's just my sick mind

I can categorically state that if incest vibes exist, it's because the Japanese wanted them there.

[GaijinPunch]

oh thanks, that makes sense now. I remember I got some incest vibes from those cutscenes, but turns out it's just my sick mind

We've all been there, dude.

The best replay I could find is this one:
http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm653748 (Stage 1 and continues with a new video for each stage)

He pretty much gets all fruit chains that are possible and shows all(?) secrets. By stage 5 he's collected something like 23 extends and does some heavy checkpoint milking (luckily edited out).

Sounds like he's outdone me then! I need to watch through mine again... I think I got like 8-9 extends or something.

[evil_ash_xero]

This is really a "hidden gem". It's actually better than many top platformers from the 16 bit days.

I thought the "street fighter" sections were interesting ideas too.

[CIT]

Well, I finally got the 1 credit-clear.

The game is tough. Especially the final stretch before the last boss, the "13 chambers of death" will test the mettle of even the most seasoned action game experts.

There's so much to love about this game. I'll start with the beautifully detailed raster graphics, that are close to Symphony of the Night level. Despite the somewhat more epic length (a full run will clock in at about an hour) I love the arcadey feel and how the chaining system is directly connected with collecting extends. It gives you the extra challenge when playing the early stages. Same goes for the many many hidden detours and secret passageways. The degree of exploration is almost like a Mario game. If you like Castlevania, Wonderboy, Ghouls'n Ghosts, etc, you really owe it to yourself to give this game a try.

Now it just makes me wonder where New, the developer, came from and where they went. Since their limited output is quality, and the ported Captain Commando, I wouldn't be surprised if there is a Capcom connection somewhere there.

[BIL]

Despite the somewhat more epic length (a full run will clock in at about an hour) I love the arcadey feel...

Exactly what I like about it - it's quite lengthy for 1CC-style play, but the seamless stage progression, varied environments and considerable difficulty make it feel like a deluxe arcade platformer, not a watered-down one. In pure action format, Taromaru on the Saturn nails a similar balance of a considerable journey with arcade tension and pacing.

New remind me of Sky Think System (Harmful Park). Seemingly popped up out of nowhere and returned there just as quickly after producing a classical 2D gem that would never be followed up on.

[GaijinPunch]

RIP this style of game. You will be missed!

[blackoak]

Now it just makes me wonder where New, the developer, came from and where they went. Since their limited output is quality, and the ported Captain Commando, I wouldn't be surprised if there is a Capcom connection somewhere there.

Just putting this here for good measure: http://shmuplations.com/chippokeralph/

New actually formed from the game center community in Kashiwazaki. Their somewhat churlish comments about game design would warm the hearts of any arcade lover I think. Too bad they never made any similar games... this was like a last gasp for this style, even though I like a few later platformers. Each time I've shown Chippoke Ralph to someone they've really gotten into it and ended up playing till the end (or the end of their patience, hehe).

[Obiwanshinobi]

I like this write-up. Can't believe the style is gone, though. We might not see such production values in a 2D platformer anymore (no wonder the graphics were the most laborious part for a small team), but for as long as d-pads, buttons and keyboards are around, there's hope.

[GaijinPunch]

Just putting this here for good measure: http://shmuplations.com/chippokeralph/

Good read -- and not hard to believe. The sum up: If you want to make an awesome game like this, you have to tell the business side to fuck off.