Price: £34.99 Players: 1-2 For Parappa the Rapper 2, fans will be aware already of what this game is about after playing the original game and similar releases such as Space Channel 5, in that throughout the game you have to keep up with the pace of pressing buttons on your joypad in time with others characters onscreen. Starting in a burger bar, you find that all the food in town is turning into noodles and, by doing as you're told, you'll be able to make the perfect burger. Succeed in this level and it's onto visit Chop Chop Master Onion for some "Romantic Karate", but it's more of the same with a slight increase in game difficulty. And for the record, I got as far as the fifth part of level 8 and then even simple mistakes counted badly against me, but I blame that on having to take the lead myself rather than following someone else's steps.

Graphically, it's undeniably excellent. It's colourful, smooth-flowing and the screen swishes around brilliantly with no clipping or colour blocking, which will make it appeal well across the age board. The sound is great too, with funky music throughout for you to follow. While it's easy to pick up and play, a question will be raised as to its longevity, since it's fun for a while but not one you'll return to again and again, unless it's really your bag, so for most of it a rental is advised first if you're keen to play it.

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Review copyright © Dominic Robinson, 2002.