So what's this new deal about "Rocky's Picks"? Well, I'd like to share my views on the most badass games out there on any platform (mostly PC and SNES, though). I love to play underrated games that nobody has heard of, and I often find myself enjoying these even more than those that are rated a lot higher by the rest of the gaming communities. Anyways, this first issue of "Rocky's Picks" is dedicated to a very special game:

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Pocky & Rocky, released in 1992 for the Super Nintendo is part of a series of top-down shooter games. The first game in the series was a Japanese-only Arcade game called Kiki KaiKai, which pretty much translates into the title Pocky & Rocky itself.

PICURES:

The story consists of a shrine maiden, Pocky, settling down a bunch of deranged Nopino goblins who decided to go on a random rampage. After a while, a raccoon known as Rocky, goes to Pocky to inform her of a terrible mishap. His fellow goblins have gone on a rampage again and he needs Pocky's help to settle this angry mob. Just then, they're attacked by the very goblins that Rocky has just talked about.

Pretty soon, both of them learn that the goblins are being brainwashed by an evil sorcerer called Black Mantle, whom they go to defeat and cure the goblins again.

What makes this game so special? It's freaking difficulty. This game remains to be one of the most ironic video games in history. The game's overall feeling is that of a cartoony game made for kids. But the game's difficulty is so high that not even "veterans" have an easy time with this game. People like "macho" games like Call of Duty and Starcraft, but here comes a kiddy game that can bust anyone up and mercilessly slaughters the player if he's no good.

The game is also featuring a very-popular two player mode, where the player can choose to play as…guess who…Pocky or Rocky! This provides some very fun hours of entertainment if you got a friend to play with.

Something I find interesting is the HUGE allusion to the Japanese culture. EVERYTHING in the game, every single aspect, has something to do with the traditional Japanese culture one way or another. This way, you get to learn AND play (to a degree).

I'm a sucker for a hard game. I just don't like good and easy games. I like games that are freaking hard, given I think that games HAVE to give you a challenge to complete. This game gives you that challenge and more. The entire game is extremely addictive and makes you want to keep on going until you've defeated Black Mantle, who proves to be one of the hardest final bosses in SNES history.

So if you got some…means…of playing SNES games on a PC, most definitely give this one a try. Or if you have an old SNES in need of a good game, buy it off of Ebay. It will most definitely not disappoint you.