Mappy, a plucky mouse detective, is one of many arcade game mascots lost to time, having only starred in a few games over the years. While the character has guest-starred in various Namco games over the years (and makes a clever cameo in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS), the biggest role Mappy's had is in a web series from the defunct ShiftyLook website. Most of his other games have stayed Japan-exclusive, save for 1988's Mappy-Land, an NES sequel to the original arcade game. Mappy-Land is a primitive, repetitive platformer, but does contain a certain charm that fans of the golden age of arcades will enjoy.
Mappy-Land may as well be called "Cat and Mouse." Mappy has to collect six items in each stage while avoiding cats and other enemies. Stages are made up of several different platforms, which Mappy can access via trampoline, and there are various traps and environmental hazards that both help and hurt him. While enemies will kill Mappy on contact, it's easy to fool them by moving quickly and using the trampolines wisely - trampolines can only be jumped on three times, though, before disappearing temporarily, so it's important to make quick decisions. Mappy also has several traps that distract the cats, such as fish. After collecting all the items, the exit opens and Mappy makes his way to the next area; it's a familiar formula from this title's era.
There's not too much variety in Mappy-Land - there are only eight environments, which are used over and over again in the same sequence, with remixed layouts and different items; Mappy has to collect cheese for the first eight stages, then a ring, and so on. The challenge does ramp up, with faster enemies and more hazards, but it's disappointing to go through the same eight backgrounds. There is a tiny story that concludes at the end of the eight-level sequence, which at least suggests some progression, but completing four sequences simply loops the player back to the beginning.
Mappy-Land's colourful art style and simple songs are appealing for an early NES game, and the enemies have different clothes in each stage that are related to the theme, such as the wild west. There are a few secret bonus stages to discover, and a level-select feature allows players to start from wherever they choose.
Conclusion
Like all Virtual Console releases, Mappy-Land's appeal is limited to those who enjoy the retro style and play mechanics. Mappy-Land is a fun, if slight, game that shows its age in the lack of variety. Fans of old-school arcade games will likely enjoy this one, but don't expect anything particularly sophisticated or groundbreaking.
Comments 15
Looks cute.
I used to love playing the arcade Mappy on one of those Plug-n-Play systems. Hitting Meowky with doors. Listening to that repetitive-yet-catchy chiptune background song. Being shocked when Goro suddenly comes out of nowhere and kills me. Good times.
I never knew the game got a sequel. I might just look into this.
Another game best suited for the 3dS, in short bursts, but somehow it's only released for the Wii U.
Way too brighten up my Sunday afternoon looks cool.
Some of the music sounds familiar, maybe from one of the many Namco medleys in Smash Wii U. Great that Smash 3DS and Wii U have managed to enable Namco and Capcom to release their classics on VC. If only SEGA would do the same and I mean more than just the 3D Classics range for 3DS.
I'm glad you guys noted that Mappy had a web series. And while the ShiftyLook site that hosted it is down (which is a darned shame, their content was pretty cool), their Youtube page is still up with episodes of Mappy, Bravo-man, and a few episodes of Wonder Momo.
As a fan of old-school simple arcade-like games, (like Pac Man, DK, and Balloon Fight) I like "Mappy-Land." In fact, honestly I liked it better then the original "Mappy." It's hidden areas, new traps/items, new locations, and such make it feel more varied, and give it more new ways to beat each level then "Mappy." I also dig it's soundtrack. Glad it got a VC release, thank you, Namco for bringing back a small bit of my childhood back.
whats the point of releasing games like this only for the WiiU and not 3ds?
@KodyDawg - Right on! I'd love to plug the ol' Ms. Pac-Man up again and get my Mappy on, but it's since died. It was fun while it lasted, though.
I saw Game Grumps play this it did not look fun.
@midnafanboy Lol same. The glitching was entertaining though!
@Captain_Gonru So true. My reaction to going back to palying some of those NES games is "how did I ever beat this as a kid?"
Why do I suddenly think of Danger Mouse when I look at the artwork of those cartoon mice?
It's a fun little diversion. I like the arcadey quality of many Atari and early NES games. One reason I like many of the early Famicom games, many of which got skipped here. I got both Mappy and Mappy Land on Famicom carts.
I liked it back in the day, but I can't really say I'm dying to revisit it. This is definitely one of those games where its easy to make an argument that Nintendo needs to reconsider the VC pricing.
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