Rare/Valuable Video Game Archive - PaRappa The Rapper 2 (Playstation 2)

Sometimes, when you go out and look for classic video games, you'll end up trying to get all the rare titles.  Unfortunately, this is very costly most of the time.  We have titles that are rare, but had so many copies sold that it's questionable as to why we'd pay that much for it.  And then there's rare in the sense of, "This really is rare".

This series, "Rare/Valuable Video Game Archive" will cover any video game that's rare based on the total units the game has sold, or it's typical asking price.  Please note that this is from my own personal perspective; I have used other sources (some common, like RacketBoy, and other obscure ways, like Forum posts and Video Game Charts), but some of these are in my own perspective.

TODAY'S SUBJECT:

PaRappa The Rapper 2 (Playstation 2)

To anyone who's ever played the PaRappa The Rapper series, you're probably shocked to see this up on the list (or just surprised that there was a sequel).  I'll explain a little later, but let's get on with what this game is about.

PaRappa The Rapper 2 is a 2002 video game created by Sony Computer Entertainment and NanaOn-Sha for the Playstation 2.  If the title doesn't give it away, this game is a sequel to PaRappa The Rapper for the Playstation.  The game has a, "Simon Says" type of gameplay, similar to it's predecessor.  The only REAL difference, however, is that the game's physics have changed; the game is now easier compared to the game before it.  The first game took hours, maybe even weeks to truly perfect (to those of you who have played it, at least), but the second one only takes 45 minutes to beat.
Yeah, you read that right.
45.  Minutes.
On top of that, Cool mode has been changed up, and while the game is patheta-easy, the way to get Cool mode is really hard.  As of this writing, I have only beaten 3 of the 8 levels on Cool mode (and they were all on accident too, may I add).  In order to get Cool mode on any level in this game, you have to freestyle (like the older game), BUT, you need to also make 3 gauges on the bottom of the screen go in the right direction.  The one on the left should go down, while the others should go up.  It's more complicated then it sounds; trust me.

Believe all you want, PaRappa; I'm probably never going to 100% your game.

 As far as everything else goes, the graphics have been vastly improved, compared to the last two games (you didn't know?  There was a PaRappa spin-off called Um Jammer Lammy (also for Playstation).  Look it up, if you don't believe me).  So far, this game looks a whole lot better than any other PaRappa models to date (even the ones in the PS3 game, Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale (trust me; they were pretty meh)).The graphics are still heavily dependent on being paper thin, but I feel like that's what distinguishes this series from everything else on the market at that point.

Move over, Mario!  PaRappa The Rapper went paper first!

There's also the songs which, for the most part, have received mixed reception.  Some claim that the songs are barely memorable, while others enjoy the songs a lot.  While I do enjoy the songs (that is, some of the songs), it's really up to you on this.  Here's a YouTube playlist with all of the songs, if you want to check 'em out.

So, overall, PaRappa 2 is a great game; not Game of the Year quality, and not better than the original PaRappa game, but it's definitely worth your time if you're into quirky video games, music games, or just happen to be a hardcore PaRappa The Rapper fan.

.....Also, PaRappa's voice actor (Dred Foxx) scammed some college kids out of $100.

.....So, why is this game rare?

Now, from looking online, I discovered that this game only sold 14,00 copies worldwide.  7,000 in the United States, 6,000 in Japan, and 1,000 everywhere else (so, start digging for it, PAL Regioners!).  Since this game is well around 12 years old, that means a lot of discs have broke.

Like this one; what heartless soul would do such a thing?

With only a small amount of copies available, that means this game is pretty hard to find, making it quite rare for video game collectors (or PS2 buffs).  I currently own a copy right now (no manual, though; dang it!), and I only really spend about $1 for the disc, and $8.52 to get a case and some artwork to go with it ($9; still worth it, in my opinion).

Now, if you look on eBay, or even Amazon, the game can easily be snagged anywhere from $8-$15.  So, if it's rare, why is it so cheap?  Simple; not enough demand.  The only people who will truly buy this game (from what I'm seeing, at least) will be hardcore PaRappa fans, or just someone looking for something new.  It's rare, but the demand just isn't high enough for it.  It's kinda sad, really.

Is it worth adding to my collection?

It truly depends on your tastes; do you like quirky video games?  Do you like the rhythm genre (games like Guitar Hero, Space Channel 5, Elite Beat Agents, etc.)?  Do you love PaRappa, or just discovering him and want to try some new games?  If so, it's worth it.  If you answered no to any of these, the choice is mainly up to you.

Here's hoping for PaRappa The Rapper 3!  Maybe we can kickstart it for $100! (okthatwasbadimsorry)