My Case for Mappy...

pookdolie

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I bought one of these machines a long time ago; the first one I owned in SoCal. I remembered playing it once in an arcade when I was young, and it kicked my ass pretty much immediately. I still think most casual gamers would lose interest quickly, and I can see why it didn't take the gaming world by storm...or, at least, not in America. If you're not familiar with Mappy, it's hard to drop in a quarter and "just have fun".

But, after having lived with the thing for awhile, I've gotta say that I thought this was an exceptionally well-put-together game. Unique concept, simple controls, frantic pace that increases, higher point incentives that place you in peril if you choose to try for them, level variations (including great bonus rounds), smooth gameplay, good graphics for the time, and what I would consider to be absolutely top-notch music that anyone would have trouble faulting. Once I'd learned all of the "tricks" and game dynamics, this one ate my quarters.

For the seasoned gamer, I see this as one of the most underappreciated games of the classic era. All of the "building blocks" of a classic game are there. I'd still have a machine if my place had room...
 
I bought one of these machines a long time ago; the first one I owned in SoCal. I remembered playing it once in an arcade when I was young, and it kicked my ass pretty much immediately. I still think most casual gamers would lose interest quickly, and I can see why it didn't take the gaming world by storm...or, at least, not in America. If you're not familiar with Mappy, it's hard to drop in a quarter and "just have fun".

But, after having lived with the thing for awhile, I've gotta say that I thought this was an exceptionally well-put-together game. Unique concept, simple controls, frantic pace that increases, higher point incentives that place you in peril if you choose to try for them, level variations (including great bonus rounds), smooth gameplay, good graphics for the time, and what I would consider to be absolutely top-notch music that anyone would have trouble faulting. Once I'd learned all of the "tricks" and game dynamics, this one ate my quarters.

For the seasoned gamer, I see this as one of the most underappreciated games of the classic era. All of the "building blocks" of a classic game are there. I'd still have a machine if my place had room...

I've never played the game. Love the oversized marquee though.
 
Not a fan of the game, and the sound makes me want to kill myself after a while. You cant win em all, I guess.
 
For the seasoned gamer, I see this as one of the most underappreciated games of the classic era. All of the "building blocks" of a classic game are there. I'd still have a machine if my place had room...

It's freaking awesome, I love the game, wasted an untold amount of time on it ;)
My wife can kick my ass on it as well, she can play up to the 'super impossible' levels.

From a hardware perspective it's pretty cool too, love the two 6809's, lots of sprites, scrolling tiled background and 8 audio channels. That would have make a great home computer in the 80's !

- James
 
Don't recall the game at all from my childhood, but thankfully my son found it in mame and introduced me to it. Absolutely love it. Pretty much agree with your whole post, pook.
 
Mappy is a GREAT game! I hate to admit it, but I never really played the game back in the day. I got hooked on the Namco version on the PS1. I play it once in awhile on MAME, and I agree it is a underated game!
-Mark
 
Love for Mappy

Yeah it's very under appreciated in the US. It's not for everyone but it is a great game.

I personally think that the Midway cab is a beautiful one... I love mine with the folding oversized marquee...
 
I'll put my two cents in and give a knod to Mappy, not my favorite game but I'll play it when it's in front of me, and when I finally get a 60-1 it'll be one I'll actually use. The only thing that pisses me off is the bonus level, I have yet to finish before the time runs out.
 
Not a fan of the game, and the sound makes me want to kill myself after a while. You cant win em all, I guess.

I looove the sound! It's one of the earliest games w/ a memorable soundtrack that distinctly sounds like a real style of music despite the limited sound hardware.

Mappy's a fantastic game....and I only saw it at one place as a kid. The local YMCA had one in the corner next to the vending machines. Whenever we'd go swimming, I'd always go and play Mappy... until it was gone. Those memories of that one game at that one location stuck w/ me.

It's a beautiful cabinet w/ excellent character art, and the giant marquee rules.
 
Similar to others that have posted, I never played Mappy back in the day. In fact, I never heard of it until I played it in Mame. I got hooked on the game and when one popped up locally, I had to have it. Great game.

I too have not been able to complete a bonus round perfectly. Is it even possible?

IMG_7911.jpg
 
the sound makes me want to kill myself after a while.

The pacland backgroung music does that to me after a while. It's still embedded in my head tho :(

But Mappy, that tune has to be up there in the top 10 with Skykid and Pacmania.

- James
 
1st bonus round is pretty easy. I've never finished the 2nd, but a couple of great mappy players just showed me how to do it, so as soon as I have enough time to sit down and play it for a while, I'm looking forward to doing it!
 
i love the game.. what's the story with jumping mappy?
 
1st bonus round is pretty easy. I've never finished the 2nd, but a couple of great mappy players just showed me how to do it, so as soon as I have enough time to sit down and play it for a while, I'm looking forward to doing it!

On the first one, you have to bounce off some short-walls to break through the trampolines quicker rather than just doing the full bounce...

On the later ones, you don't go for the last balloons on the upper left, you get the final balloon, and Goro the cat flies up and gets the other 2 for you!
 
Mappy is indeed a great game. There weren't any around when I grew up in the arcades but I did get a chance to start playing it on a Jakks Plug and Play. It was one of my dad's favorite games in the golden era and he really helped me get into maximizing the scoring which makes the game more fun. I can hum the music on command its great. The game has real character and some addictive frantic gameplay that makes you think strategy constantly.
 
Mappy FTW

Mappy is definitely an underappreciated game from the "classic" era. I bought mine at a Super Auctions in Kalamazoo for $125. It was a very late addition to the auction so that may have helped me snag it fairly cheap. At the time I knew enough about the game to make the decision to buy it, but I couldn't honestly say I was as much of a fan of the game as I am now. Owning one and fixing it up has really helped me appreciate it. To me the music is one of the best parts of the game.
 
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