JIKKYO OSHABERI PARODIUS!!!

Well, here's the very third in the series - Jikkyo Oshaberi Parodius - or Chatting Parodius as its known to some. Why? Because of a vocal chip in the SNES cart (or actual sound FX on the CD) which produces inane banter from the game. So, whilst floating along the game, you have some mad Japanese bloke blabbering in your earhole about something totally irrelevant. But I digress...

I only just got a hold of this, the third installment of the bonkers parody series, in both ROM and cart form (yes, by some miracle or other one of my contacts got me the actual cartridge =), and I'm telling you, I haven't laughed or been so engrossed in a shmup for absolutely ages. Not even R-Type Delta has pinned me so much. And why is this? A really ancient game from Japan can grab me more than the latest in the R-Type series? Well let me tell you right here!

As usual, the graphics are up to par with the series. Large breasted anime girls (loads of them!) infest the game, you have your typical penguin baddies here, there and everywhere (which reminds me, has anyone played ParoWars? It's fucking mad!), and you got your staple favourite characters. Vic Viper and Lord British are back, with their friends the Octopii, the Pentarou and the Bees. They're joined by a motley bunch of nutters with cats, fairies and my personal faves - stickmen on paper aeroplanes - among others. The enemies are superbly animated, and there are a load of regular faces with large Twinbee pisstakes, Goemon and Ebisumaru make a cameo appearance, complete with a friend from the first Mystical Ninja game. Even the panda returns from the second Parodius game! Fantastic stuff...

Soundwise, the sound effects and music are fantastic, with loads of booms and bleeps eminating from the speakers. The Jap bloke in the background is dominating, but not intrusive, and even though I don't understand Japanese, you can tell he's encouraging you. The music is typical of Parodius, with remakes of disco and classical music, and loads of hilarious tracks appearing here and there. A feast for the ears, eh?

So we know what it's like to look at it, and hear, but how does it PLAY? Well, true to form, it plays like a DREAM. The characters control easy, and they're not weighted down - unlike those shmups which impose inertia onto your craft. Even though emulation isn't perfect and the framerate does get a little erratic, you don't die unfairly, which is great! Better than some games, eh?

Loads of secrets are to be found too, with little fairies appearing out of the scenery when you shoot specific areas. And what happens when you find all 70 (that's right - seventy!)? Don't ask me, I can only find fifty-five...

Trust me, this game comes highly recommended. So nab it if you find it on ANY format! You won't be disappointed...

Felix the Cat - RATING - 9/10