is a 1997 horizontally scrolling shooter video game developed and published by Sky Think System for the

PlayStation is a video gaming brand that consists of five home video game consoles, two handhelds, a media center, and a smartphone, as well as an online service and multiple magazines. The brand is produced by Sony Interactive Entertainment, a divisi ...

in Japan. Set in a theme park, the game has been described as a

cute 'em up Shoot 'em ups (also known as shmups or STGs ) are a sub-genre of action games. There is no consensus as to which design elements compose a shoot 'em up; some restrict the definition to games featuring spacecraft and certain types of charact ...

and resembles Konami's '' Parodius'' games. It has become somewhat of a collector's item, and one of the rarest shooters on the PlayStation.

Gameplay

''Harmful Park'' is a horizontal scrolling 2D shooting game. Enemies in the game include gorillas, inflatable dinosaurs, and a gigantic woman. The game also features exotic weapons, including jelly beans and ice cream. The game has six stages in total. There are four kinds of shots that the player's ship can fire, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. "Pie spread" for example fires continuously, while "Jelly Boomerang" tracks enemies, but has low attack power. Three additional minigames are available as well.

Plot

The game is set in a theme park, after a scientist named Dr. Tequila makes the rides and machines of the park go berserk. Another scientist orders her daughters to reclaim the park, using flying machines. The park has now been converted into a fortified base.

Development

''Harmful Park'' was developed by Japanese game developer Sky Think System, and it was the final game they developed. The developer intended the game to have comedic elements, and to be enjoyable for a wide variety of gamers of all ages and genders.

Release

The game was released in Japan on February 14, 1997 and re-released in 2012 for the

PlayStation Network PlayStation Network (PSN) is a digital media entertainment service provided by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Launched in November 2006, PSN was originally conceived for the PlayStation video game consoles, but soon extended to encompass smartp ...

again only in Japan.

Reception

Upon release, '' Famitsu'' gave it a score of 26 out of 40. Multiple reviewers noted the similarities between ''Harmful Park'', and the '' Parodius'' series and described the game as a "cute em up". In 2014, '' Eurogamer'' listed the game among gaming's "most valuable treasures", praising the graphics, humor, and noting that while not difficult, it has personality. ''

GamesTM ''GamesTM'' (styled as ''gamesTM'') was a United Kingdom, UK-based, multi-format video games magazine, covering video game console, console, handheld game, handheld, PC game, PC and Arcade games. The first issue was released in December 2002 and t ...

'' described it as a cross between ''Parodius,'' and ''Coryoon.'' '' Retro Gamer'' listed it as number 6 on their list of "The 20 Greatest PlayStation Games You've Never Played".

Notes

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Harmful Park 1997 video games Cooperative video games Japan-exclusive video games Multiplayer and single-player video games PlayStation (console) games PlayStation (console)-only games PlayStation Network games Scrolling shooters Video games developed in Japan Video games featuring female protagonists Video games set in amusement parks Horizontally scrolling shooters