Play Pocky & Rocky Online

Pocky & Rocky came out for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1993, published by Natsume. It was part of that wave of action games that felt distinctly Japanese, with clean sprites and a setting based on Japanese folklore. You don't see many games like it on the system, which makes it stand out in a library full of platformers and RPGs.

You control a shrine maiden named Pocky, or her raccoon dog partner Rocky, fighting through screen by screen areas filled with yokai and other monsters. Your main goal is to defeat the evil Black Mantle by clearing stages that scroll in different directions. You attack with a rapid fire ofuda, or sacred papers, and can perform a close range spin attack to destroy nearby enemies and their projectiles. The screen is often packed with enemies and colorful bullets, requiring constant movement and smart use of your spin to create breathing room. It is a fast paced game that demands quick reflexes, but clearing a chaotic screen without getting hit is incredibly satisfying.