Ponpoko

Ponpoko
Ponpoko
Developer(s)	Sigma Enterprises
Publisher(s)	Sigma Enterprises (JP); Venture Line (NA)
Platform(s)	Arcade
Release	JP: November 1982; NA: January 1983
Genre(s)	Platform
Mode(s)	Single-player

Ponpoko (ポンポコ) is a non-scrolling platform game developed and published by Sigma Enterprises. It was released in Japan in November 1982.^[1] The goal is to collect all of the fruits and vegetables in each level. Ponpoko was sold in North America by Venture Line as a conversion kit starting in January 1983.^[2]

Gameplay[]

In Ponpoko, the player controls a Tanuki (狸 or たぬき), or Japanese raccoon dog, that can climb ladders, walk across platforms, and jump over deadly apple cores and gaps.^[3] Colorful creatures (called hairy caterpillars by Sigma,^[4] scorpions by Venture Line^[5]) move horizontally from one side of the screen to the other and back again, floating over gaps in the platforms.^[3] A mystery pot usually gives bonus points when collected, but sometimes one will release a snake.^[5] Both caterpillars and snakes are deadly to the touch.

Reception[]

In Japan, Game Machine listed Ponpoko on their August 15, 1983 issue as being the fifteenth most-successful table arcade unit of the month.^[6]

References[]

^ Jump up to: ^a ^b "Ponpoko". Gaming History.
^ "Overseas Readers Column - Sigma's "Ponpoko" Licensed To Venture Line For N.America". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 202. Amusement Press, Inc. 1 December 1982. p. 26.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b "Coin Up! review Of Ponpoko!". October 3, 2011.
^ "Sigma Ponpoko Flyer". The Arcade Flyer Archive. Sigma Enterprises.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b "Venture Line Ponpoko Flyer". The Arcade Flyer Archive.
^ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 218. Amusement Press, Inc. 15 August 1983. p. 27.