Samurai Pizza Cats (NES/ FC) Playthrough Part 1 - Stages 1 ~ 4
4[Ginzu Strike Finish All Bosses]
I remember this anime back in the day when it was localized (sort of...) to North America, at the time it competed too much with other popular shows at the time. It's a shame because this was a pretty interesting anime, but it took me a long time to revisit it and really admire its *unusual and hilarious* creativity due mostly to its screwed up localization.
First and foremost, as of now there is no complete translation patch for this game (THAT of course is no longer true lol). This isn't entirely necessary to play the game though because there is certainly a lot more to enjoy than just the story and in the true tradition that is Samurai Pizza Cats: Make up your own story and script about what is happening if it really bothers you. *I will try to ensure that my future playthroughs are translated, but there are times I'll make exceptions. If you want to see a translation, I've uploaded a completed playthrough of it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PspxRtINh_s&list=PL0F0F2E1666394E06&index=1&feature=plpp_video (the translation patch was released sometime very close to when I uploaded this RAW playthrough and only found out some time later).
The game itself I consider unique because it incorporates a lot of different gameplay mechanics and similarities to other games:
*Plays a lot like a Ninja Gaiden game (not surprising that it is also made by Temco), ability to attack projectiles with sword, cutscenes in between, and similar item pick-ups
*Stage Selection is similarly broken down like Darkwing Duck (Capcom, 1992)
*Large character selection in each level: 1 Main Pizza Cat + all 4 Rescue Team Cats
*Very fluid sprites with anime choreographed motion, colorful, detailed graphics, diverse music selection for most stages and cutscenes
*For the most part, stages play out episodic, almost like the player is watching actual anime episodes.
*Non-linear stage traversals
*A very OBVIOUS Mega Man reference in the game
With regards to comparing it to a Ninja Gaiden title, it plays more like a player-FRIENDLY version of it. Cutscenes are less serious and using typical anime cliches. Also, regardless of the stage layout, DROPPING INTO HOLES NEVER LEADS TO DEATH; keep that in mind because that's how you locate hidden items. Speaking of items, they ALWAYS reappear in the same stage location(s), thus allowing easy healing and recharge. In terms of the 'Ninjitsu' items called Ninpo, it is greatly reduced to a single pick-up that cycles through 3 different powers, the 3rd Level Ninpo is the most powerful (and energy consuming), and most of the characters' strike, targets all enemies on screen. For the sheer awesomeness of these attacks, each boss will be defeated using the 3rd Level Ninpo or what I call Ginzu Strike. Lower Level Ninpo Powers act very much like Ninja Gaiden abilities such as Speedy's Fireball Barrage (Flame Wheel Toss) and Guido's Umbrella Toss (Giant Shuriken).
Rescue Team Members each have unique abilities that are at times, important to progress further in a level (their assistance is limited to the HELP bar, which can slowly recover over time or greatly through a Bell pick-up):
*General Catton: Able to Punch through Stone Blocks
*Bat Cat: Able to Fly in the Air (Most Useful of all 4)
*Meowzma O' Tool: Able to Drill through Dirt
*Spritz T. Cat: Able to Swim/ Move quickly Underwater
Speedy, Polly and Guido play pretty much the same. I can't really tell a difference between Speedy and Guido besides Ninpo skills, it might simply be chosen based on taste. Polly is slightly more different (and apparent), she scratches enemies rather than swing a weapon; despite being short-ranged, she can deliver two consecutive blows each attack.
Just like in the anime, the Narrator is also present (He speaks whenever dialogue boxes have a boxed 'N' before the text).
Hopefully in the future, the entire anime will be released on DVD with both Jap and Eng dub options. In addition, should there be another "Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom", I hope this cat trio makes the roster; it was a strong possibility because Capcom openly expressed interest in including them in the 2010 Wii title. UPDATE: Discotek media is releasing both the eng sub and eng dub DVD Boxes in 2013.
Samurai Pizza Cats (NES/ FC) is owned by Tatsunoko/ Temco, copyright 1991.