A shrine maiden and a tanuki team up against a horde of possessed yokai in Pocky & Rocky, Natsume's 1992 Super NES follow-up to Taito's arcade game Kiki Kaikai. In Japan it was released as Kiki Kaikai: Nazo no Kuro Manto. Instead of a ship, you control Pocky on foot, scrolling through haunted Japanese villages, graveyards and forests while flinging sacred cards and swatting enemies at close range.
The big addition on the SNES is simultaneous two-player co-op, with a second player taking control of Rocky. That turns the game into one of the system's best couch shooters, though it is also known for being tough, with enemies that swarm from every side and bosses that fill the screen with projectiles. The art is bright and detailed, folklore creatures are drawn with real personality, and the controls are tight enough that every hit feels earned. Natsume followed it with Pocky & Rocky 2 on the same console.
Tips for Pocky & Rocky
The close-range wand swing can knock away many enemy projectiles, so use it defensively when bullets are closing in.
Collect the power-up orbs to strengthen your card shots, and avoid getting hit, since damage costs you power.
Learn to slide out of danger; it is the fastest way to escape a surrounding crowd.
How to Play Pocky & Rocky
Click Play Now to launch Pocky & Rocky directly in your browser — no downloads or plugins needed. Arrows move Pocky in eight directions, and the face buttons throw cards, swing the wand, slide and use bombs. Enter pauses the game. You can also connect a USB or Bluetooth gamepad for a more authentic feel.
Save states let you save your progress at any point. Create a free account to sync saves across devices. Press F11 for fullscreen mode.
To play Pocky & Rocky, simply hit the "Play Now" button on this page. The game loads instantly in your browser using an embedded emulator — no plugins, downloads, or setup required.
Is Pocky & Rocky free to play?
Absolutely! Pocky & Rocky is 100% free on RetroVault.GG. No subscriptions, no hidden fees — just open the page and play.
What console is Pocky & Rocky for?
Originally a SNES game, Pocky & Rocky can now be played directly in your browser here on RetroVault.GG with no setup needed.
What genre is Pocky & Rocky?
Pocky & Rocky is a action, shooter game. It was made for the SNES.
Can I play Pocky & Rocky on my phone?
Pocky & Rocky is fully playable on mobile devices. Open this page in your phone's browser and tap Play Now — touch controls appear automatically.