Take the cute-style sprites of Yoshi's Island, the combat style of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and the princess-gone-missing plot of any Mario game, and you'll have Pocky and Rocky 2. This game has always been overlooked, but it's suprisingly good if you enjoy the above mentioned characterisitics in a video game. You play as Pocky and are accompanied by a computer-controlled companion of your choice. Your partner can be one of three characters including Rocky the raccoon, Bomber Bob, and Little Ninja (There are 3 other partners but you must find them before you can use them.). You have many abilities including a card throw (which can be altered through power-ups) a very effective shield doubling as a weapon, and a "magic" power which will fuse you and your partner into one body.
In my opinion, the best feature of the game is the ability to play in a simultaneous two-player mode. You and a friend can take on the battles together, which can be extremely handy in the always difficult boss stages.
The least attractive quality in Pocky and Rocky 2 would be the writing/translation. It doesn't seem like the game's designers spent enough time here. The story itself is worded extremely simply, and the characters do everything from repeat themselves to over-explaining things. It's not an awful flaw for the casual gamer, but if the story is what makes it for you, look elsewhere.
If you're a fan of Pocky and Rocky 2, don't forget to check out the original Pocky and Rocky as well as the new GameBoy Advance title: Pocky and Rocky with Becky. Or at least read a review for them!
