Rakugaki Showtime
{{Short description|1999 video game}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Rakugaki Showtime
|image = Rakugaki_Showtime_cover.jpg
|developer = Treasure
|publisher = Enix
|director = Tetsuhiko Kikuchi
|designer = Naoki Kitagawa
Tetsuhiko Kikuchi
Tsunehisa Kanagae
|programmer = Hiroshi Matsumoto
Masaki Ukyo
|artist = Gō Nakazawa
Kazuo Yasuda
|composer = Norio Hanzawa
Toshiya Yamanaka
Kanta Watanabe
|platforms = PlayStation
|released = {{vgrelease|JP|29 July 1999}}
|genre = Fighting
|modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
{{nihongo foot|Rakugaki Showtime|ラクガキショータイム||lit. "Graffiti Showtime"|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1999 fighting game for the PlayStation developed by Treasure and published by Enix. It is a full 3D battle arena fighting game, featuring characters that resemble crayon drawings. The game was only released in Japan.
Gameplay
File:PS1 Rakugaki Showtime.png
Rakugaki Showtime is a fighting game in a full 3D fighting arena.{{cite web|last=Kalata|first=Kurt|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/rakugaki-showtime/|title=Rakugaki Showtime|publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101|date=July 12, 2017|access-date=2021-01-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119235813/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/rakugaki-showtime/|archive-date=2020-11-19|url-status=live}} It features up to four players. Throwing projectiles feature prominently in the game, which has led to some reviewers comparing the game to being similar to dodgeball, but lacking a dividing line between the teams. The game features 17 playable characters, including guest character Marina Liteyears from Mischief Makers.{{cite journal |journal=Retro Gamer |issue=52 |date=June 19, 2008 |title=Full of Eastern Promise |page=36 |last=Bevan |first=Mike }}
Development and release
Rakugaki Showtime was Treasure's first original project for PlayStation.{{cite magazine|last=Griffin|first=Mike|url=https://archive.org/stream/Gamers_Republic_Issue_16/page#n18/mode/1up|title=Cover Story - Game Profile: Rakugaki Showtime; An Interview with Masato Maegawa - Founder and President, Treausre; Text Continued|magazine=Gamers' Republic|issue=16|publisher=Millennium Publishing|date=September 1999|pages=17–18, 124}} It featured music composed by Kenta Watanabe, who had previously worked on Banpresto's Panzer Bandit (1997).{{cite book |last1=Manent |first1=Mathieu |title=PlayStation Anthology |date=February 1, 2018 |publisher=Geeks-Line |isbn=979-1093752334 |pages=30–32}} The game was released on 29 July 1999, and published by Enix. The game was given a very limited release because of a legal dispute over who owned the characters between Enix and Treasure.{{cite web|last=Fahs|first=Travis|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/05/07/beta-blues-vol-2?page=2|title=Beta Blues, Vol. 2 - Games snatched away from us at the last minute: Conspiracy Theory|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=May 7, 2008|page=2|access-date=2018-08-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322215828/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/05/07/beta-blues-vol-2?page=2|archive-date=2016-03-22|url-status=live}} The game became a rare item after its release, and would sell for 15,000 yen ($150 U.S.). It was re-released for the PlayStation Network "Game Archives" in Japan on 25 June 2008.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1216109_1124.html|title=プレイステーション3のゲームアーカイブスに『ゼノギアス』や『アストロノーカ』など6タイトルが追加|magazine=Famitsu|publisher=Kadokawa Corporation|date=June 25, 2008|lang=ja|access-date=2018-08-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160904173445/http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1216109_1124.html|archive-date=2016-09-04|url-status=live}} It retailed for 600 yen.{{cite web|last=Gibson|first=Ellie|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/square-enix-releases-old-games-via-psn|title= Square Enix releases old games via PSN - But only for the Japanese Store|work=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|date=June 25, 2008|access-date=2018-08-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116073525/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/square-enix-releases-old-games-via-psn|archive-date=2012-11-16|url-status=live}} The game was to be the basis for the GameCube and PlayStation 2 fighting game based on Tiny Toon Adventures, called Tiny Toons: Defenders of the Universe, but the game was never released. It was later leaked onto the internet.{{cite web|author=Spencer|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2009/03/04/lost-treasure-developed-tiny-toons-game-found/|title=Lost Treasure Developed Tiny Toons Game Found|work=Siliconera|publisher=Curse LLC|date=March 4, 2009|access-date=2018-08-27|archive-date=2010-02-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205051615/http://www.siliconera.com/2009/03/04/lost-treasure-developed-tiny-toons-game-found/|url-status=live}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
|Fam = 26/40{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=8621|title=NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: ラクガキショータイム|magazine=Famitsu|issue=555|publisher=ASCII Corporation|date=August 6, 1999|page=29|lang=ja|access-date=2018-08-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118205153/http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=8621|archive-date=2015-11-18|url-status=live}}
|GameFan = 87/100{{cite magazine|last=Ngo|first=George|url=https://archive.org/stream/Gamefan_Vol_7_Issue_11#page/n83/mode/2up|title=Imports: Rakugaki Showtime|magazine=GameFan|volume=7|issue=11|publisher=Shinno Media|date=November 1999|pages=82–83}}
|GSpot = 7.4/10{{cite web|last=Bartholow|first=Peter|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/rakugaki-showtime-import-review/1900-2549003/|title= Rakugaki Showtime (Import) Review - Those looking for a great party-game fix should give Rakugaki Showtime a look|work=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|date=12 October 1999|access-date=2018-08-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729171203/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/rakugaki-showtime-import-review/1900-2549003/|archive-date=2018-07-29|url-status=live}}
}}
Rakugaki Showtime was met with positive reception from critics.{{cite web|last=Davies|first=Jonti|url=http://www.gamespy.com/articles/885/885947p1.html|title=Japanese PlayStation Store Gems - Jonti reckons Sony is doing a great job managing the Japanese PlayStation Store...|work=GameSpy|publisher=IGN|date=July 2, 2008|page=1|access-date=2021-01-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227093835/http://www.gamespy.com/articles/885/885947p1.html|archive-date=2010-12-27|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last=Bevan|first=Mike|title=Full of Eastern Promise: Rakugaki Showtime|magazine=Retro Gamer|issue=52|publisher=Imagine Publishing|date=June 19, 2008|pages=36–37}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/04/29/hidden-japanese-gems?page=1|title=Hidden Japanese Gems - How to infiltrate the Japanese PlayStation Store, and pick up an array of 32-bit classics and rarities!|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=April 29, 2009|access-date=2021-01-16|page=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120091919/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/11/21/bomberman-online|archive-date=20 January 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Miller|first=Patrick|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/265496/17_moldbreaking_fighting_games_that_all_developers_should_study.php|title=17 mold-breaking fighting games that all developers should study|work=Gamasutra|publisher=UBM Technology Group|date=February 11, 2016|access-date=2021-01-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731183206/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/265496/17_moldbreaking_fighting_games_that_all_developers_should_study.php|archive-date=2018-07-31|url-status=live}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps/198402-rakugaki-showtime Rakugaki Showtime] at GameFAQs
- [https://www.giantbomb.com/rakugaki-showtime/3030-21216/ Rakugaki Showtime] at Giant Bomb
- [http://www.mobygames.com/game/playstation/rakugaki-showtime Rakugaki Showtime] at MobyGames
{{Treasure video games}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rakugaki Showtime}}
Category:Japan-exclusive video games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:PlayStation (console) games
Category:PlayStation Network games