Monkey Puncher
Train a monkey to box and rescue your family.
Monkey Puncher is a video game for the Game Boy Color, developed by Atelier Double and released in December 2000. The game's goal is to train a monkey to fight in organized boxing matches in order to save the main character's father and sibling.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Atelier Double
- Publisher
- Event Horizon Software (EU); Taito (JP)
- Director
- Kouki Takahashi; Nobuaki Kuroki
- Producer
- Takeshi Kamimura
- Designer
- Kengo Miyata
- Daisuke Ishiwata
- Mizuko Mogami
- Programmer
- Masashi Yoshida; Hiroshi Kanda
- Artist
- Kimiyoshi Yokonuma; Aoi Momonoya
- Composer
- Izumi Shimizu
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
At the start, the player chooses to play as either Kenta (male) or Sumire (female); the sibling not chosen is the one kidnapped. Shortly after beginning, the player receives their first monkey, named Freddy. Before training a new monkey, the player must befriend it by offering food, and over time the monkey becomes friendlier. Training activities include skipping, using a punchbag, sit-ups, running, and shopping, which respectively increase speed, power, strength, stamina, and knowledge. Sparring can increase all statistics by a smaller amount. In skipping, punching, sit-ups, and running, the monkey learns by copying the main character's motions, controlled by rhythmic pressing of the A button; eventually the monkey imitates for longer periods and may begin without prompting. The player can send the monkey shopping for specific items or let it buy what it wants, the only way to obtain new items. Higher knowledge lets the monkey follow a shopping list more accurately and bring rarer items. Sparring is a normal match with no clear winner or reward beyond stat increases. All stats have a maximum limit. Monkeys can date each other or with a monkey from a friend or a dating shop; after dating, the first monkey vanishes and is replaced by a baby monkey whose maximum stats may be higher or lower depending on the partner. A monkey with all stats maxed produces a baby with much higher maximum stats.
Story
The main character's mother has died, and their father, a Monkey Boxing trainer, is kidnapped along with the main character's brother or sister by the Saru gang of monkey gangsters. The player must advance through the Monkey Boxing Leagues to confront Saru and rescue the father and sibling, who are being brainwashed into training and fighting monkeys for Saru. Saru sends Cain, then the ROBO monkey developed by Saru's Professor, as opponents. After defeating them and becoming JSB Champion, the player receives an invitation to the Monkey 1 Grand Prix on Saru's secret island base. Defeating five opponents there, including rematches with Cain and the professor, battles with Sumire or Kenta, the player's father, and the Saru master, completes the game.
More in Taito Games of the 2000s
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