Who is PaRappa the Rapper?[]
I can only imagine the acid that was passed around the table when the concept for Parappa the Rapper was proposed: “Okay… so the player is this rapping, two-dimensional dog who has to tap buttons on the controller in a sequence which will enable him to bust rhymes competently and thus win the heart of his love.” And people say Miyamoto’s tripping. Sheesh.
At any rate, that’s the gist of Parappa the Rapper (the game, not the character), which I vaguely remember as being fun (and which I might also be confusing with Katamari Damacy or some other nonsensical Japanese title). Parappa himself is an optimistic young pup who’s out to prove himself to his ho, Sunny Funny, and make himself a more desirable suitor than that turd who hangs around her all the time, Joe Chin. Parappa learns from various teachers throughout the game (among them the ubiquitous Chop Chop Master Onion), eventually surpassing all of them in a Circle of Life-esque mentality. “Now,” Parappa tells Chop Chop as he prepares to deliver a crushing blow with the square button, “I am the master.” Or something. Oh, and the sequel involves the world turning into noodles. Yeah.
Let’s face it: Parappa is one crunked-up video game character. The sheer premise of a paper-thin puppy who raps (in clothing vaguely reminiscent of early-‘90s hip-hop artists) is cool enough, but then they had to make rapping not only the means to win the heart of Sunny Funny but also the solution to all of his problems: through rapping he learns to fight, drive a car, and even use the damn toilet. 50 Cent be damned – Parappa is Exhibit Numero Uno of how hip-hop keeps young dawgs off the streets. Word to your mother.
“You gotta believe!!” - PaRappa
(Writeup courtesy of Ed Bellis)
PaRappa the Rapper's Contest History[]
Win-Loss Record: 0-2
Summer 2002 Contest - North Division - 10 Seed
- Northern Round 1 --- Lost to (7) Pikachu, 25736 [45.59%] - 30711 [54.41%]
- Extrapolated Strength --- 44th Place [13.97%]
Pikachu is perhaps the most anti-voted entrant in the history of GameFAQs contests, and despite his popularity, he is one of the most hated video game characters of all time.
Yet he still managed to beat PaRappa the Rapper in a match. It goes to show how much GameFAQs loves the PaRappa series.
Summer 2007 Contest - Division 5 - Third Group
- Division 5 Round 1 --- 4th place, 12382 [9.44%] - Master Chief, 59910 [45.69%] - Yuna, 39571 [30.18%] - Tommy Vercetti, 19268 [14.69%]
The guy who lost to Pikachu showed why he did in his first appearance since the very first contest. He couldn't even get 10% and hopefully, that's enough to keep him from ever coming back.