PaRappa the Rapper

 PlayStation
  • Publisher: SCEA
  • Release Date: Oct 31, 1997
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 105 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 67 out of 105
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 105
  3. Negative: 14 out of 105
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  1. FireBroFilms
    Aug 15, 2022
    9
    ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎
  2. JenL.
    Feb 16, 2004
    10
    The funniest game I've played in my life!
  3. asdfjaffsdgk
    Dec 13, 2015
    10
    Kick! Punch! It's all in the mind! If you wanna test me, I'm sure you'll find, the things I'll teach ya, is sure to beat ya, but nevertheless you'll get a lesson from teacher!!! If you read that in Chop Chop Master Onion's voice, you already know why this game was so awesome.
  4. EvanJ.
    Oct 2, 2005
    10
    Super duper cool!
  5. KendylKlownfish
    May 14, 2011
    8
    It is far from perfect, but it is essentially one of the most original and appealing games on the PS1. Pros: It is one of the funniest games I've ever played -- and heard; the 2-D sprites and art style are cool; the story and characters are unforgettable. Cons: Too short and too shallow; no replay value; frequent mechanical bugs.
  6. TheDarkMudkip47
    Jun 27, 2015
    9
    It's a nearly perfect game it's fun enjoyable and probably the best playstation game to date it's also hilarious if you are a sony fan who has the original playstation try to get it off ebay or amazon
  7. zombieskull24
    Feb 7, 2013
    8
    Parrapa the Rapper is always fun to play! its songs are catchy and fun to finnish. although, it is kinda hard to get the beats right for some reasons. a lot of times i could be doing bad but more score would be good and when im good my score is bad. the programing for that isn't so good but thats a ps1 game. all the way its still a good game!
  8. PolisKanin
    Feb 28, 2014
    9
    I am a Nintendo fan, but I play Playstation for this amazing musical title. Parappa the rapper has a cheesy story line, but that's not what music games are about. The gameplay is great, and a great playstation game, and personally my favourite playstation 1 title.
  9. RossBoss
    Jun 17, 2016
    9
    A pioneer to the rhythm game genre, Parappa the Rapper remains a unique and fun experience of beat boxing through an odd but relateable series of scenarios. The songs are memorable, the stages are hilarious, the artwork is appealing, and the mechanics are solid. Difficulty increases at a fair level and never becomes too challenging or too easy. Entertaining throughout and definitely a gameA pioneer to the rhythm game genre, Parappa the Rapper remains a unique and fun experience of beat boxing through an odd but relateable series of scenarios. The songs are memorable, the stages are hilarious, the artwork is appealing, and the mechanics are solid. Difficulty increases at a fair level and never becomes too challenging or too easy. Entertaining throughout and definitely a game you'll want to share with friends just so they have the experience. I have to say, it's as fun for me now as it was when I first got the game about 15 years ago.… Expand
  10. GamecubeLover
    Jul 22, 2016
    9
    My only 2 problems of this game is the game is cheesy and strange that is all. Everything else is rather super fun or very memorable. This is an instant classic.
  11. brownyfan
    Oct 22, 2016
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I haven't even played this hip-hop game about a dog, but MAN is it good. I've been wanting this game for awhile, and while I still don't have it, I know when I get it, I'll have a fun time. Sure, the plots are strange, Parappa does karate, drives, sells, bakes, and then holds a **** and gets a party for it. It gets weirder each plot game, but still, it's fun as hell. I can't wait for Parappa's new anime, or his new game, as this Hip-Hop dog's only existence had died...But then light shone out, and Harappa was suddenly given a second chance. Fans played more, made more, and reviewed more. I mean, hell, he's actually what brought music games to it's fame. So without this hip-hop-rapping-pup, other amazing music games probably wouldn't have make me. As you know, when you say Boom-Boom-Boom, I'll say Bam-Bam-Bam, No pause in between, we all jam! Sorry that this review isn't, well, a review, it's more or less just me celebrating Parappa's 20th Anniversary. Which now that I say that, let's all Say ho, ho ho, ho ho ho, and scream for Parappa's 20th Anniversary! We Gotta believe! I give this game a 10 outta 10, the voices and the characters are fantastic!… Expand
  12. KaleSungurCrane
    Nov 20, 2020
    8
    OVERALL - 85%

    Gameplay - 6/10 Graphics (for time) - 8/10 Story - 7/10 Game Length - 7/10 Characters - 9/10 Level/Area Design - 9/10 Atmosphere - 9/10 Sound Effects - 7/10 Soundtrack - 10/10 Replay Value - 8/10 In 1997 this was conceptually, graphically and play style was very original. I was a child when this came out and loved the artwork and characters. The music is catchy    OVERALL - 85%

    Gameplay - 6/10
    Graphics (for time) - 8/10
    Story - 7/10
    Game Length - 7/10
    Characters - 9/10
    Level/Area Design - 9/10
    Atmosphere - 9/10
    Sound Effects - 7/10
    Soundtrack - 10/10
    Replay Value - 8/10

    In 1997 this was conceptually, graphically and play style was very original. I was a child when this came out and loved the artwork and characters. The music is catchy and cool. Still a lot of fun today.    … Expand
  13. mashedtatter
    Mar 3, 2017
    10
    Kick, punch, it's all in the mind! This was THE game that got me hooked on rhythm games at an early age. It wasn't hard at all, like other people seem to be whining about. If a seven year old can beat it and become a rap legend, ANYONE can!

    Disclaimer: I was amazing at this game when I was 7, in 1997. I am now 27 and suck at it. I lost all sense of rhythm somewhere in the last 20 years.    Kick, punch, it's all in the mind! This was THE game that got me hooked on rhythm games at an early age. It wasn't hard at all, like other people seem to be whining about. If a seven year old can beat it and become a rap legend, ANYONE can!

    Disclaimer: I was amazing at this game when I was 7, in 1997. I am now 27 and suck at it. I lost all sense of rhythm somewhere in the last 20 years. I cry every time I remember.    … Expand
  14. TheWaluigiGamer
    Mar 18, 2017
    9
    This Game is Hard, If you have never played a rhythm game before, I do not recommend this game for you.
    But if rhythm games are totally your thing or your are button perfect at rhythm games, this game is for you!
    This is a Great Game, when playing it you will smile. My Only Problem is even if you have good timing at Rhythm games you will fail multiple times, the button presses are a bit    This Game is Hard, If you have never played a rhythm game before, I do not recommend this game for you.
    But if rhythm games are totally your thing or your are button perfect at rhythm games, this game is for you!
    This is a Great Game, when playing it you will smile.
    My Only Problem is even if you have good timing at Rhythm games you will fail multiple times, the button presses are a bit off especially on stage 4 and 5, your TV is not lagging it (unless it is :/) the game was just made that way, and the game is incredibly short, like 6 levels short, but those 6 levels are the best 6 levels ever, and the reason is the music, the music is just fantastic.

    Music 10/10 Art Style 8/10 Gameplay 7/10 Characters 10/10 Story 7/10
    Final Score: 9/10 A Great Game, but with problems.
    -TheWaluigiGamer    … Expand
  15. QuoteStrife
    Apr 6, 2017
    10
    best game of all time best game of all time best game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game ofbest game of all time best game of all time best game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all timebest game of all time… Expand
  16. LoneWolf912s
    Jul 3, 2022
    8
    juego de ritmo muy divertido y desafiante y artísticamente muy bueno!!!!!!!
  17. Dandys1
    Jun 30, 2020
    8
    Despite its short story and only 6 levels, Parappa the Rapper is charming cartoony rhythm based game which is targeting for young audience, but might be appealing for anyone nevertheless. The premise is pretty simple, rap your way through every tough situation in your life and don't forget, YOU GOTTA BELIEVE!
  18. WillCantCode
    Sep 17, 2021
    10
    original rhythm game and retro, cute characters and amazing graphics for PlayStation 1. Catchy songs that you can’t get stuck out of your head, and funny story
  19. Jattaman
    Jan 12, 2023
    8
    Stile grafico e personaggi fantastici, musichette che ancora ricordo dopo tantissimi anni.
    Qualche problema con il timing non gli impedisce di essere ricordato tra i simboli della sua generazione.
    Un punto in più per la coraggiosa unicità e originalità del gameplay.
  20. JaydonB
    Oct 25, 2022
    10
    PaRappa the Rapper is an interesting game. It has a lot of great wit, humor, and 90s nostalgia that'll make you go, "Wow!".

    It's talked highly about for a good reason, and definitely deserves a high ranking. It has problems with poor input delay and the story being incredibly short, but this game sticks to you in terms of it's characters, music, and replayability. I absolutely love    PaRappa the Rapper is an interesting game. It has a lot of great wit, humor, and 90s nostalgia that'll make you go, "Wow!".

    It's talked highly about for a good reason, and definitely deserves a high ranking. It has problems with poor input delay and the story being incredibly short, but this game sticks to you in terms of it's characters, music, and replayability. I absolutely love Rodney's character design and I personally will go out to say that PaRappa has one of the most unique, eye catching appearances I've seen from a video game character. T

    This game hasn't aged well, but it's better to play this original over the remaster. I love this game and I hope you'll be able to see past the mistakes and love it as much as I do.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best PS1 Game of 1997
4
#4 Most Discussed PS1 Game of 1997
5
#5 Most Shared PS1 Game of 1997

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Electric Playground
    100
    This game would be super fly at a party You won’t be whizzing through it unless you’re super smartie.
    Read full review
  2. Gamezilla!
    92
    One word of caution, though; if you have a bad neck, stay away from this game. It is virtually impossible to play without bobbing your head or moving some part of your body. You have been warned!
    Read full review
  3. IGN
    90
    PaRappa's only real problem lies in the length of the game -- it's way too short. However, once you've beaten it in good standing, you can ad-lib, or 'freestyle,' in the levels.
    Read full review
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