Chack'n Pop

Did You Know?

• The Monstas and Mightas from Chack'n Pop later appeared as common enemies in Bubble Bobble.
• Chack'n and other characters from the game have cameo appearances in Ben Bero Beh, Bubble Bobble, Bubble Memories, and NY Captor.
• The Family Computer version is included on the MyArcade Don Doko Don Pocket Player unit alongside Don Doko Don and Don Doko Don 2.

Gameplay

The player controls Chack'n, a yellow creature with extendable legs, through single-screen mazes. Chack'n can walk on floors or ceilings but not walls, and climbs steps by extending his legs. He throws hand grenades left or right that explode into smoke clouds; he is killed if caught in the blast. Solid walls delay progress, requiring him to free hearts from cages with grenades. Monstas hatch from eggs and can be destroyed for a bonus. A time limit is marked by a Mighta pushing a boulder across the top of the screen.

Development and release

Chack'n Pop was released by Taito around April 1984 in Japan, though the copyright notice says 1983. The game originated at the University of Tokyo's Microcomputer Club as a title for the Hitachi Basic Master Level 3, developed by Hiroshi Sakai, then a student and later a Game Arts developer. Taito bought the rights and began an arcade version under the working name Chack'n Chack, with Hiroyuki Sakô handling character and level design and Jun Ishioka programming. Sakô redesigned the main character because he felt the original was not cute. During development, the team burned an EEPROM each time they needed to check on-screen colors, so they designed a daughterboard for immediate color display. Taito ported the game to the MSX, Family Computer, Sharp X1, NEC PC-6001, and NEC PC-8801; Sega developed and published an SG-1000 version. Emulated arcade versions appear in several compilations, and the Family Computer version was re-released on Wii and 3DS Virtual Console. A Hamster Corporation Arcade Archives port for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch includes online leaderboards and new modes.

Reception

Sakô felt the game flopped in Japanese arcades due to its difficulty, but home ports, especially the Family Computer and MSX versions, sold much better and became one of Taito's top IPs. Retrospective views have been mostly negative: a Retro Gamer mini review called it not a great platformer due to its complexity; PC Zone said it isn't much fun despite its ideas; Rhody Tobin of HonestGamers slammed the Family Computer version's controls, gameplay, and presentation, calling it best forgotten. A more positive review from Alex Kidman of Kotaku Australia recommended it for Bubble Bobble fans while noting it is very different.