| Vib-Ribbon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | NanaOn-Sha[a] |
| Publisher(s) | Sony Computer Entertainment |
| Producer(s) | Masaya Matsuura |
| Designer(s) | Masaya Matsuura |
| Composer(s) |
|
| Platform(s) | PlayStation |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Rhythm |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Vib-Ribbon[b] (stylized vib-ribbon) is a 1999 rhythm video game developed by NanaOn-Sha and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation. The game came out in Japan on December 9, 1999 and in Europe on September 1, 2000, but was never released for the PlayStation in North America; it was re-released on the PlayStation 3 via PlayStation Network in October 2014, which finally brought the game to North America in addition to Japan and Europe. NanaOn-Sha had previously developed the PaRappa the Rapper series of games for Sony.
The game was initially commissioned as an advertisement for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class car. After design issues surfaced with the car and the ad plan was dropped, development continued as a stand-alone game. Masaya Matsuura returned to lead Vib-Ribbon. The game's software loads into the console's RAM, allowing the player to remove the game disc and insert music CDs to play custom levels; the game can generate a unique level from any track on a standard audio CD. The graphics for Vib-Ribbon are simple, consisting of straight, white vector lines forming crude, angular drawings of the level and the player character, named Vibri.
Vib-Ribbon has received generally positive reviews from critics, praising its minimalist visuals and innovative concept, and has garnered a cult following; though the game has also received criticism for its simplistic gameplay and design. It spawned two Japan-only follow-ups: Mojib-Ribbon (2003) and Vib-Ripple (2004).
- ^ "JAPANスタジオ作品一覧 2000年～1999年" [List of Japan Studio works 2000–1999] (in Japanese). Sony Interactive Entertainment. 2021. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
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