The Legendary Starfy (series)

Densetsu no Stafy (Japanese伝説 の スタフィー, Densetsu no Sutafī, dt " Legendary Stafy " or " Stafy from the Legend " ) is a video game series, developed by TOSE and distributed by Nintendo. The first four games of the series have been published exclusively in Japan, on 8 June 2009, however, the fifth part was published under the name The Legendary Starfy time lag in North America. The first game was released in 2002 for the Game Boy Advance. All games are Jump ' n' runs. The eponymous protagonist Stafy appears in the form of one five-pointed yellow star, possibly a starfish, and experienced numerous adventures with his friends under water.

Chronology

The following Stafy titles have been published:

Gameplay

The Stafy games, it is a more unusual type of 2D jump 'n ' runs. Unlike in most genre - representatives of the game takes place primarily under water and therefore floats the character more than to run and jump. On land, however, the control corresponds to the typical Jump ' n' Run.

The player controls the star Stafy. In water, this is mainly moved with the directional pad. By pressing certain buttons Stafy can swim, for example, faster or perform special actions, which are often learned only in the course of the game. The most common is a rotation attack, in which Stafy quickly turns around itself to defeat such opponents and to remove obstacles from the way. Depending on the game, this attack can be improved if necessary. In another technique depends Stafy jump in the upper prong of his body down and rockets down in order to ram into enemies or obstacles. From the third part also Stafys sister Stapy is playable. This has partly different abilities, such as a wall jump, crawling through tight spaces or creating a protective shield. On land, the character moves usually leaping and bounding away, as in the typical Jump ' n' Run usual.

If the character hit by an enemy, it takes damage and loses energy in the visible on-screen display heart. By losing the complete energy needs to be started from scratch in the current game level again. However, it is possible to save at the Mermaid Mermaid, which will be found at various points in a game level, can be restarted at this point. In addition, the mermaid regenerates lost energy of character. Energy lost can be recovered by collecting beads, which are distributed in all places. The beads are virtually the currency Stafy universe and can be used to purchase items.

Usually there is a Stafy game several worlds, each consisting of several sections, with a boss must be defeated at the end of the world. In one level, it is usually the goal of helping one or more animals. Usually has either recovered a lost or stolen object and returned, or you have to create the animals certain enemy from the neck. The tasks are partly associated with more or less extensive puzzles, such as a key to a door needs to be found first or blocks must be moved properly. When the bosses tactics of them in each case is see through to defeat as they can.

Plays an important role in places and the use of special items or the direct support of animals. So Stafy can use special means of transportation such as sky, drill or witches' broom, for example, in the first part, which sites are accessible that would otherwise be inaccessible. In addition, the character can transform under certain circumstances, the transformations provide new skills. Underneath, in the fourth part of a dragon that can spit fire, or the star turns into a ghost and so can float.

Also receive Stafy and Stapy support of various animals, including of Stafys best friend Kyorosuke, the shell that gives him advice or support him directly in the action, as in the fourth part. In this Stafy can Kyorosuke together with, among others, apply a special turning technique in which Stafy clings to the shell and both rotate at a high speed, causing them to briefly move very fast, defeat enemies and overcome heights. Another companion is the wise cancer Lobjii - san, the Stafy and his friends is to advise you. Many other aquatic species, such as Amur catfish, angler fish or sea horse, grab the stars under the arms.

Another game element from the second part are the collectable costumes to disguise Stafy and Stapy, it is a kind Kisekae Set System. The costumes are often to garments that are known from the ( Japanese ) everyday culture. So can slip the two stars, for example, in Santa Claus costume, police uniform, yukata, school uniform or cheerleader outfit.

Compared to many other 2D jump 'n ' runs, which are held such as the Kirby series in a similar style, is used in the Densetsu -no- Stafy games quite a lot of text to advance the plot. Many of the occurring characters have a story to tell, often arise dialogues between Kyorosuke, Stapy and the other figures. Stafy itself remains silent. To simplify the reading of Japanese texts for young players is largely dispense with the use of kanji. The games are playable without knowledge of Japanese, but missed so many details of the plot.

Games

Precursor

The first Stafy game should actually published in 2000. On Nintendo's in-house exhibition Space World is presented in 2000 before the Game Boy Color game Densetsu no Stafy, which should still be on the market in December of the same year. However, since the introduction of the Game Boy Advance in Japan was planned for March 2001, the game appeared no more for the older Game Boy model, instead you now working on a GBA version. This was presented at the Space World 2001.

Densetsu no Stafy

The first part of the series was finally released in September 2002. According Story is Stafy is the son of his royal parents Mama and Papa Sta Sta who rule over the kingdom of Tenkai, and lives with them in Tenkai Palace high up in the clouds. While Prince Stafy plays happened to him a mishap and he lets fall the magic vessel that falls straight toward the ocean. In this vessel, the malicious eel Ogura was held, which can escape now and return post sparked a storm that sweeps Stafy down from the palace and also promoted him into the ocean. The viewer sees is at the end of the leader, due to the ( symbolic ) camera setting Stafy formally fall in coming. This is a striking feature of most teasers Stafy Games, toward the end of a leader ( from Part 2 and at least one of his friends ) crashes Stafy from the clouds towards the ocean directly towards the viewer.

Underwater Stafy is discovered from the old cancer Lobjii -san says the Stafy from the vessel and Ogura. Lobjii -san decides Stafy to help to get back home, and it is him with his wisdom and knowledge.

In the various levels of play must help Stafy different animals. Among the aquatic animals, he meets Stafy includes special friendship with the cheeky mussel Kyorosuke who becomes his best friend.

The Japanese video game magazine Famitsu rated Densetsu no Stafy with 30 of 40 possible points.

Densetsu no Stafy 2

In September 2003 one years appeared almost exactly after the first of the second part. Ogura was re- imprisoned the last time in a magical vessel that is once again in Tenkai Palace. However, this wants nothing more than to escape again from the vessel. After some consideration, he gets the idea to create ten children of his own, which are small enough to easily come out of the vessel ( this function later in the game as a boss ). After he has done this and have left the vessel his descendants as they attack the palace in a whirlwind storm. The vessel thus falls back from the palace towards the ocean and Ogura comes free again. He once kidnapped Stafys mother Mama Sta, and disappears with her. Without much hesitation, Stafy plunges into the deep, and rather unwillingly also Kyorosuke, who was at that time at Stafy to visit. Stafy Ogura must defeat a second time.

From Famitsu Densetsu no Stafy received 2, like its predecessor, a rating of 30 out of a maximum 40 points.

Densetsu no Stafy 3

In the third part, which has already been published less than a year after its predecessor in August 2004, Ogura is freed a second time. In this case, however, by an unknown force, which later turns out to be in the game as the villain Evil. This summons a terrible storm over the palace, in which the magical vessel is destroyed by a lightning and Ogura can operate freely again, he flees the palace. Sta dad asks his son and Kyorosuke about sharing Ogura, but the latter does not want it to do this for the third time. Stafys energetic sister Stapy, the first time appears on the scene, but ensures that even Kyorosuke starts to move.

Depending on the course of action either Stafy or his sister Stapy is playable, the change is usually specified. Since both have different techniques can use that to be handled with the respective character sections are often tailored to their abilities. After first defeating Ogura all previous levels can be visited again and it can be changed at will between the two stars. In the newly unlocked levels, the player must then judge for yourself which character is which situation best. In addition to the character Stapy provide mini games that can be played by up to four players, another novelty dar.

The well-known Nintendo character Wario has a guest appearance in this game, with particular reference to the game Wario Land 4 is taken. In the eighth World Wario is conveyed through a sort of wormhole, as is often seen in the aforementioned game in Stafys world. Wario is as always to achieve in search of treasures, and to his goal, he teams up with Stafy and his friends. The player must interact with Wario, for example by Stafy the trapped in a bubble Wario ( "Bubble Wario "), which in the water therein rises to the top, before spiky obstacles guards by displacing the bladder. Another time must Stafy reach with the help of the flying "Balloon Wario " on the top of a tower. As a reward for success Wario Stafy gives things like a Wario cap and a copy of the game Made in Wario ( Wario Ware ).

Densetsu no Stafy 4

By the fourth part of the series went longer than between the predecessors, in April 2006 came Densetsu no Stafy 4 for the Nintendo DS on the market. After Ogura was defeated for the third time, peace to the kingdom Tenkai has returned. Unlike it is with the Kingdom of Amy. This was until recently under the protection of Monamour Stone, but the evil creature Dejiru attacked the kingdom to, robbed the stone to make his power advantage, and left a trail of destruction. The fish girl Materu originating from the Kingdom of Amy, travels to Tenkai Palace, records the events and asks Stafy and his friends for help who agree, of course.

It 3D graphics used in a Stafy game for the first time. So the backgrounds and bosses are partially displayed in three dimensions, but the foreground graphics, including sprites are still generally held in 2D. The touch screen of the Nintendo DS comes when navigating menus and when activating special abilities to use.

The cladding system for the two stars will now be displayed completely in three dimensions, and Stafy Stapy can be in their costumes from all sides look and are animated also. Prior to a costume Designwettbwerb Stafy for fans was held. This could send in their self-designed, drawn on paper costumes. Based on the designs of the winners of six of these costumes were built into the game.

Famitsu gave the fourth Stafy game a rating of 33 out of 40 possible points.

Densetsu no Stafy: Taiketsu! Daīru Kaizokudan

In July 2008, a further Stafy title for the Nintendo DS was released. In this case, the numbering was not continued, but instead provided the title of the game with a caption. The full title is Densetsu no Stafy: Taiketsu! Daīru Kaizokudan (伝説 の スタフィー たいけつ ダイール 海賊 団, Densetsu no Sutafī Taiketsu Daīru Kaizokudan, dt! " Legendary Stafy: confrontation Daīru Pirates ").

Rampa, a kind of rabbit or hare, is on the run from the Daīru Pirates. These are her mysterious behind Rampa gem. On his escape decides to move Rampa in the Tenkai Palace directly in Stafys room. Shortly after the dive Daīru - pirates on and want to take Rampa, but Stafy provides a scuffle with them. Rampa uses the moment to disappear, but after the confrontation with Stafy take the pirates again the chase. Stafy decides the thing to get to the bottom, and plunges into another adventure.

A new feature of the game is a co-op mode for two Nintendo DS are required. Here, a player Stafy, the other Stapy controls.

The appearance Stafys was changed with the fifth part. His mouth is now much bigger and wider, as well as the five points of his body are much more rounded. Make the same changes at Stapys appearance.

The end of February, 2009, Nintendo of America announced to release the game under the name The Legendary Starfy on June 8, 2009 in North America. Instead of the previously usual notation " Stafy " is the name of the title character " Starfy " is written.

For this game title awarded Famitsu 31 out of a maximum 40 points.

Figures

Marketing

To market the games expensive commercials and trailers are manufactured in anime style, recounting the most specific passages from the games, some in modified form. This Stafy is spoken by Satomi Kōrogi that also other Nintendo characters lends her voice as the Pokémon Togepi. Kyorosuke gets his voice from Kappei Yamaguchi.

In addition, a whole range of merchandising is brought to the market, including plush toys, stationery, stickers, playing cards and fruit gums.

Furthermore, for advertising purposes Songs for the games included that are sung by famous Japanese artists. For the first game of the entertainer Becky sang several songs that came on a CD in the trade. Kazuki Saya sang songs for the second part, also in this case, a CD was released. The J- pop group Perfume sang for Densetsu no Stafy 3 ° C-ute, another J- pop group, took a song on the marketing of the fourth Stafy game.

Manga

In collaboration between Nintendo, TOSE and the publisher Shogakukan a manga series was produced, also titled Densetsu no Stafy. Illustrator was Yumiko Suto. The manga was published from June 2002 to October 2005 in the magazine CoroCoro Comic. The stories are based on the games were summarized in two anthologies and republished. The first volume was published in October 2003, the second followed in September 2005.

Another manga series titled Densetsu no Stafy R, which was drawn by Suzuo Yataka, appeared from April 2006 to April 2008 in CoroCoro Comic. The accompanying anthology came in July 2008 on the market. This series is based primarily on the fourth part of the video game series, the publication also falls in April 2006.

Guest appearances

Stafy has guest appearances, which were usually released outside Japan in some games. A first cameo can be found in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga ( 2003). In the Yoshi Theater is mapped to one of the movie posters Stafy.

In the game Donkey Konga (2003) Stafy is not visible, but in the Japanese version of the game is the title theme from the first game Stafy one of the available songs. Western versions contain different music.

Another guest appearance found Super Princess Peach ( 2005). A very rarely seen enemies with the names " starfish " sees Stafy confusingly similar and also performs the same movements, but wearing sunglasses. Like the Stafy games developed this game from TOSE. In addition, it says in the description of the enemy " Man says he is a prince. "

Stafys date last guest appearance is in Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008). Stafy it is one of the so-called Assist Trophies and sets its known rotary attack against an opponent. In addition, there is one Stafy and Stapy trophy and a number of stickers showing various characters from the Stafy universe.

In the Stafy games themselves, there are also references to other Nintendo series. Thus, in the first part of a collectible treasures cap of Luigi (Super Mario ). Contains the third game, as already described, numerous references to Wario. In the fourth part of one of the costumes for Stapy Princess Peach is modeled to arise also from the Super Mario series. In addition, Perry keeps Stapy (Japanese spot ), the talking screen from Super Princess Peach. This costume is one of the submissions for the competition at that time.