parappa the rapper!

now, back in the day, when kids was playin' duck hunt and the legend of zelda, i was all about some nintendo. i could video game with the best of 'em. i was a nerdy tomboy with glasses and ponytails who was determined not to be outdone by the neighborhood kids.

but now, i'm pretty much worthless when it comes to video games. i still find some of them entertaining (and i'll admit to wasting an entire summer in college playing a really awesome 007 game where you could run around and shoot the other players), but that part of the brain that makes one really good at video games just never developed to its full potential in me.

however, there's one game that is just plain fantastic. it's a playstation game (as in the first incarnation of playstation -- not the DVD convertible thingy that's out now) about a boy who has to rap and dance his way into the heart of the girl he loves. this game, friends, is parappa the rapper.

it really is a terrible game. the graphics kinda suck, there are only like six levels, it's not really that challenging. but what makes it so brilliant is the songs that parappa has to perform to advance to the next level! here are some of the lyrics from my favorite level, in which parappa is learning to drive from instructor mooselini:

/Moose/  Alright, we're here, just sittin' in the car
        I want you to show me if you can get far
/repeat/ Step on the gas!
        Step on the brakes!
        Step on the gas!
/Moose/  When I say boom boom boom! you say bam bam bam!
        No pause inbetween Come on, let's jam!
/repeat/ Step on the gas!
        Step on the brakes!
        Step on the brakes!
        Step on the gas!
/Moose/  I'm glad you know which way to go,
        but it ain't gonna stop me Here we go!
/repeat/ Check and turn the signals to the right!
        Now turn to the right!
        Check and turn the signals to the left!
        Now turn to the left!
/Moose/  Woh ho ho ho! Stop the car!
        We got an emergency, can't you see?
/repeat/ Do you know why we stopped the car? (Do I know why we stopped the
car?)
        Guess...
        What...
        Do you know why we stopped the car? (Do I know why we stopped the
car?)
        Guess...
        What...
        I forgot to close the door... (You forgot to close the door...)
/Moose/  Now just don't forget,
        this ain't Kung Fu, come on again!
/repeat/ Check and turn the signals to the right!
        Step on the gas, now turn to the right!
        Check and turn the signal to the left!
        Step on the gas, now turn to the left!
        Step on the brakes,
        Do you know why we stopped the car again? (Do I know why we
stopped the car again?)
/Moose/  That's because you just got your license!
        Woo hooo!! Yes!!

ah yes, friends -- powerfully stupid! i LOVE it! and, i've just found a website with cheats for the game! oh, winter break -- you can't possibly get here quickly enough!