Chack'n Pop

Chack'n Pop (ちゃっくんぽっぷ, Chakkunpoppu) is an arcade game released by Taito in 1983, it is considered the spiritual predecessor of Bubble Bobble[1] due to the shared characters and similar game structure. The arcade ROM-set also contains unused graphics for the mechanical wind-up "Zen-Chan" that later appeared in Bubble Bobble. Home ports were released for the SG-1000, MSX, Famicom, NEC PC-6001 and NEC PC-8801,[2] and the arcade emulation is included in Taito Legends Power-Up for the PSP and Taito Legends 2 for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, and PC.

Chack'n Pop
Arcade flyer
Developer(s)Taito
Publisher(s)Taito
Platform(s)Arcade, FM-7, Famicom, MSX, NEC PC-6001, NEC PC-8801, X1, SG-1000
Release1983
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single-player, 2 player alternating
CabinetUpright
DisplayRaster, standard resolution

Gameplay

Chack'n, a small yellow creature (later recolored green) with extendable legs, must traverse a series of single-screen mazes. He is capable of walking on floors or ceilings but not walls. He can climb steps and traverse high walls by extending his legs until he is tall enough to pass onto the next step. He is capable of throwing hand grenades to his left or right which, after a short period, explode into a cloud of smoke. Separate fire buttons control rolling to the left or right. Chack'n is killed if caught by the explosion cloud.

Each screen is played against a time limit, marked by a Mighta pushing a boulder along the top of the screen. The Mighta reappears in Bubble Bobble as a recurring enemy.

Chack'n's aim is to reach the top of the screen before the time limit expires. He is delayed in this process by a series of solid walls. In order to get past the walls, he must free hearts from cages using his hand grenades.

A further obstruction comes in the form of Monstas (same creatures to appear in Bubble Bobble) hatching from eggs. Hand grenades can also be used to destroy the creatures or the eggs producing them (however, the player will get bonus points after completing the level for not destroying any enemies). Later levels include moving platforms and, reminiscent of Bubble Bobble, water bottles that when blown up flood the level with water. The water does not destroy anything or in any way inhibit the movement of the enemies, but it allows Chack'n to swim to otherwise unreachable platforms.

Once all the levels are completed, Chack'n is able to marry his girlfriend, Miss Chack'n.

The Sega SG-1000 version has extended introduction and ending sequences and a small additional training stage before the first.

Legacy

Chack'n or other content from Chack'n Pop has appeared in Bubble Bobble, The Fairyland Story, Parasol Stars, Puzzle Bobble, Bubble Symphony, Bubble Memories, Pop n' Pop, and Arkanoid DS.

A huge, silver, robotic Chack'n is also a mid-boss in Stage 5 of the Taito arcade shooter Megablast.

References
  1. Harris, John. "Exploring the secret depths of Bubble Bobble 's design". www.gamasutra.com. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
  2. "NEC PC-8801 Games". Archived from the original on 2008-12-24. Retrieved 2006-10-20.
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