Whomp 'Em

Lore & Background

Whomp 'Em is a platform game with similarities to the Mega Man and Mario series. After completing the first stage, the player can play the other six in any order. Each stage revolves around elements such as fire and water, and after each stage the player gains a new weapon, much like in the original Mega Man series. Both Whomp 'Em and the prior Saiyūki World are based on the Journey to the West novel.

Reader's Guide

Whomp 'Em is notable for its regional differences. The Japanese version, Saiyūki World 2, features Sun Wukong as the protagonist and a Journey to the West setting. The North American version removed these references by editing sprites and graphics, changing the protagonist to a Native American and the setting to the Old West. The first stage music was also slightly modified to include a percussion track using the NES noise channel. The game received a 3.1 out of 5 rating from Nintendo Power in May 1991. Allgame editor Brett Alan Weiss praised it as 'a solid platform game with crisp, clear graphics, peppy music, excellent controls, and a heroic character.' Its legacy lies in its adaptation of Journey to the West into a Mega Man-style formula, and in the cultural localization changes made for the North American release.

Did You Know?

• The North American title 'Whomp 'Em' is a phonetic play on 'whomp' (meaning to hit or defeat enemies), not derived from 'Wampum'.
• The Japanese version is titled Saiyūki World 2: Tenjōkai no Majin.
• The North American version changed the protagonist from Sun Wukong to a Native American.
• The first stage music in the North American version includes a percussion track using the NES noise channel.