| PaRappa the Rapper | |
|---|---|
 Japanese cover art | |
| Developer(s) | NanaOn-Sha[a] |
| Publisher(s) | Sony Computer Entertainment |
| Producer(s) | Masaya Matsuura |
| Designer(s) | Masaya Matsuura |
| Artist(s) | Rodney Greenblat |
| Writer(s) | Gabin Ito |
| Composer(s) | Masaya Matsuura Yoshihisa Suzuki |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation PlayStation Portable PlayStation 4 |
| Release | PlayStationPlayStation PortablePlayStation 4
|
| Genre(s) | Rhythm |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
PaRappa the Rapper[b] is a rhythm video game developed by NanaOn-Sha and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation. It was originally released in Japan in 1996 and worldwide in 1997. Created by music producer Masaya Matsuura in collaboration with artist Rodney Greenblat, the game features unique visual design and rap-based gameplay and is considered to be the first true rhythm game.[3] It was ported to the PlayStation Portable in 2006 in celebration of its 10-year anniversary. A remastered version of the original PlayStation game was released for PlayStation 4 in 2017 for the game's twentieth anniversary.
PaRappa the Rapper was well received by critics, who praised its music, story, animation, and gameplay, though its short length was criticized. Several publications list it as one of the best video games ever made. It spawned two follow-up titles; a guitar-based spin-off titled Um Jammer Lammy, released in 1999 for the PlayStation, and a direct sequel, PaRappa the Rapper 2, released for the PlayStation 2 in 2001. The game was also influential in setting the basic template for the rhythm game genre, including franchises such as the Bemani and Harmonix games.
- ^ "Games Guide". Computer Trade Weekly. No. 656. United Kingdom. September 22, 1997. p. 24.
- ^ Computer and Video Games issue 193, page 17, EMAP Images, December 1997
- ^ Davis, Justin (October 21, 2014). "The History of Music Games". IGN. Archived from the original on May 31, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
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