Play Jikkyou Oshaberi Parodius (Japan) Online

Jikkyou Oshaberi Parodius came out for the Super Nintendo in 1995, developed and published by Konami. It was part of a wave of quirky, experimental shooters on the system, standing out with its bizarre sense of humor and colorful, unpredictable design. The game doesn't take itself seriously at all, which was refreshing at the time.

You control one of several oddball characters, like a penguin or a spaceship shaped like a baby, and fly through side-scrolling stages shooting everything in sight. Your main goal is to survive while collecting bells to power up your weapons; some upgrades let you fire in multiple directions or deploy options that follow you. The pacing is frantic, with enemy patterns that are more silly than strictly difficult, filled with food items, animals, and other unexpected hazards. The Japanese announcer constantly comments on your performance, which adds to the chaotic, lighthearted feel. Playing it feels like being in a cheerful, unpredictable cartoon where anything can happen.