2001 · SNK · Platformer · Puzzle

ZuPaPa!

An action puzzle game where you play as a Zupapa, a strange creature that hurls tiny Zupipi characters at your foes. The more Zupipi on an enemy when he is trampled, the larger the explosion.

Released: 1 January 2001
Platforms: Arcade Neo Geo Nintendo Switch Xbox One
Genres: Platformer Puzzle
Developers: SNK
Publishers: SNK
Modes: Multiplayer Single-player
Country: Japan

About

ZuPaPa! is a 2001 platform video game developed and published by SNK for the Neo Geo arcade platform. It stars the eponymous anthropomorphic creature. Players are tasked with travelling through nine stages, throwing small creatures called Zooks, jumping on and off platforms to navigate level obstacles while dodging and defeating minions. The game has been re-released through download services for various consoles.

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

ZuPaPa! is a platform game reminiscent of Bubble Bobble and Snow Bros., where players assume the role of anthropomorphic star-like creatures ZuPaPa (P1) and ZuPiPi (P2) through various stages, each with a boss at the end that must be fought before progressing any further.

Each player can throw small creatures called Zooks at enemies until each one is completely covered and turns into a star bomb, which defeats any enemy that comes into contact with it. The more Zooks are thrown against an enemy, the larger the attack range becomes. Defeated enemies may drop items or power-ups such as speed increasers and bonus points. Players have to complete every level within a specific period of time before exceeding an invisible timer. If the players do not manage to eliminate all the enemies in time, an angry alarm clock will ring loudly and a devil creature will appear.

Reception

IGN Italia's Andrea Corritore regarded ZuPaPa! to be a "cult title". Chris Moyse of Destructoid praised the sprite work but noted the gameplay to be "anachronistic". Both Hobby Consolas and Meristation noted its similarity with Snow Bros.