Dokapon
| Dokapon | |
|---|---|
 Title screen from Dokapon: Monster Hunter, the first game localized for the US | |
| Genre(s) | Role-playing |
| Developer(s) |
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| Publisher(s) |
Other publishers:
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| Platform(s) | |
| First release | Kessen! Dokapon Oukoku IV: Densetsu no Yuusha Tachi December 10, 1993 |
| Latest release | Dokapon Kingdom: Connect April 13, 2023 |
Dokapon is a role-playing video game franchise created by Asmik Ace Entertainment and currently developed by Sting Entertainment. The Dokapon franchise is primarily composed of games with role-playing video game and board game elements.
Although debuting in 1993, the series was only released outside Japan for the first time in 2001 with the game Dokapon: Monster Hunter. The rights to the series later lapsed to Sting Entertainment, who developed Dokapon Kingdom for the PlayStation 2. It was also released on Wii, which received a nomination by IGN for Best Wii RPG of 2008.[1] Since its debut in 1993, the series has sold more than one million copies.[2]
After 9 years of dormancy, Sting Entertainment revived the series with a collaboration with Aquaplus’ visual novel Utawarerumono, Dokapon Up! Mugen no Roulette; it was released for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in Japan in 2020.[3]
A remake of Kingdom titled Dokapon Kingdom: Connect, was released on Nintendo Switch and Windows in 2023.[4] It featured a new multiplayer mode and several new job classes.[5]
Gameplay[edit]
Players take on the role of adventurers with the goal of earning the most money at the end of each board, done by spinning a roulette to determine the number of spaces the player will move. This is done not only by saving towns from monsters, in the style of turn-based RPG battles, but also by gathering valuables after becoming the leader of said towns. The character with the most valuables by the end of the game wins.
The player has the option to use items before spinning, the effects of which range from recovering health to causing damage to other characters. When in the actual battle, the player chooses from one of four commands. After winning the battle, the player then receives money and experience points, leveling up after enough have been gained, like in a standard RPG.[6][7][8][9][10]
| 1993 | Kessen! Dokapon Oukoku IV: Densetsu no Yuusha Tachi |
|---|---|
| 1994 | Dokapon 3-2-1 |
| 1995 | BS Dokapon Gaiden: Hono no Audition |
| Dokapon Gaiden | |
| 1996–1997 | |
| 1998 | Dokapon Ikari no Tekken |
| 1999 | |
| 2000 | Dokapon MillenniumQuest |
| 2001 | Dokapon: Monster Hunter |
| 2002 | |
| 2003 | Dokapon DX: Wataru Sekai wa Oni Darake |
| 2004 | Dokapon the World |
| 2005–2006 | |
| 2007 | Dokapon Kingdom |
| 2008 | Dokapon Journey |
| 2009–2010 | |
| 2011 | Dokapon Quest! |
| 2012–2019 | |
| 2020 | Dokapon Up! Mugen no Roulette |
| 2021–2022 | |
| 2023 | Dokapon Kingdom: Connect |
References[edit]
- ^ "Best of 2008 (Best RPG)". IGN. IGN Entertainment. December 18, 2008. Archived from the original on December 22, 2008. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
- ^ Romano, Sal (January 18, 2023). "Dokapon Kingdom: Connect debut trailer, screenshots". Gematsu. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ Kiwami, Soul (December 28, 2022). "Dokapon Kingdom: Connect Rating for Switch Surfaces in Germany". Finalweapon. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
- ^ Tu, Trumann (January 22, 2023). "Party Board Game-RPG Dokapon Kingdom is Getting Remastered for Nintendo Switch". Gamerant. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
- ^ Hazra, Adriana (March 3, 2023). "Dokapon Kingdom: Connect Game Reveals Opening Movie". AnimeNewsNetwork. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
- ^ Pipher, Ethan (January 2, 2009). "Dokapon Kingdom Review". RPGamer. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ North, Dale (October 24, 2008). "Destructoid review: Dokapon Kingdom". Destructoid. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ Shau, Austin (June 12, 2009). "Dokapon Journey Review". GameSpot. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ Cavalli, Earnest (October 15, 2008). "Review: Quirky Fun Makes Dokapon Kingdom the Perfect Wii Party Game". Wired. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ Lavigne, Chris (December 18, 2008). "Review: Dokapon Kingdom". EscapistMagazine. Retrieved April 3, 2023.