Released shortly after the 1988 arcade game Splatterhouse, Wanpaku Graffiti is a Famicom (NES) oddity that never made it out of Japan. This is a shame, as the game is quite fun and unique.
You once again play as Rick Taylor, and once again, you must rescue your girlfriend Jennifer from the forces of evil. This time, you face off again the evil Pumpkin King who has taken Jennifer off into the night. Grab your "Jason" mask and get on with it.
The first thing you will notice is the "SD(super-deformed)" style of the characters. Anyone that knows the original Splatterhouse will appreciate what a change this is from the original Splatterhouse game and its sequels. Despite the cuteness of the characters, the game still retains a fairly dark vibe in terms of levels and imagery.
As you can see, the game is rife with images of the occult such as pentagrams and crucifixes. It is easy to see how this game never left Japan. An SD game with satanic imagery, a puzzling choice at best.
In terms of gameplay, the game shines. A smooth hybrid of "beat-em-up" action and platforming, the game is an interesting blend of both game types. Not especially hard, but not especially easy, expect to die a fair amount. The game also does not take itself too seriously, evident in the moment when you appear to be fighting a boss that resembles a vampire Michael Jackson. Expect to finish the game in a couple of hours. The game ends with an interesting connection to the first game.........
Splatterhouse, Wanpaku Graffiti is a classic Japan-only oddity. Too cute and occult at the same time for Western audiences, it has since become a fairly sought-after game for import collectors. If you can find it at a decent price, it has a lot to offer.
+Great hybrid of platforming and beat-em-up elements.
+Unique and interesting visual style.
+Looks great for a Famicom game from 1989
-Can be expensive
-An odd mix of cute and creepy (not for everyone)
-Somewhat short
RATING: 8.2/10
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