Introduction
Released in 1984, SonSon is a side-scrolling arcade shooter developed and published by Capcom. Loosely based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, the game puts players in control of a monkey boy named SonSon as he travels through six-tiered levels filled with demons, pigs, dragons, and other mythological creatures. With auto-scrolling gameplay and a unique platforming-shooter hybrid design, SonSon became one of Capcom’s earliest hits.
Development and History
- Developer: Capcom
- Publisher: Capcom
- Release Date: July 1984 (Japan and North America)
As Capcom’s second arcade release after Vulgus, SonSon demonstrated the company’s creativity in blending genres. Inspired by the growing popularity of Eastern mythology in games, it adapted Journey to the West with an arcade-friendly format. The six-lane horizontal level design and constant enemy waves gave the game a unique rhythm compared to the more vertical shooters of the time.
Gameplay Video
Gameplay and Mechanics
Core Gameplay
Players control SonSon (and optionally TonTon in 2-player mode) as the screen scrolls automatically to the right. Players must move up and down between platforms while defeating waves of enemies and collecting fruit for points.
- Auto-Scrolling: The game moves forward constantly; players can’t slow or stop it.
- Lane Movement: Six horizontal tiers allow free movement up and down.
- Shooting and Jumping: SonSon shoots energy blasts and jumps between platforms.
- Co-Op Mode: Two players can play simultaneously, aiding each other in combat and fruit collection.
Challenges
- Enemy Variety: Includes flying demons, snakes, pigs with spears, and dragons.
- Boss Encounters: Dragon bosses appear periodically and require multiple hits.
- Speed and Pattern Recognition: Enemies attack in waves with timing-based patterns.
- Scoring Strategy: Collecting fruit in specific sequences increases score bonuses.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
- Early Capcom Staple: Helped solidify Capcom’s arcade presence in the mid-1980s.
- Mythological Themes: One of the first arcade games to adapt Journey to the West.
- Spiritual Successors: SonSon returned as a playable character in Marvel vs. Capcom 2.
- Home Ports: Released for the Famicom in 1986, and later included in compilations like Capcom Classics Collection.
Fun Facts
- Name Origin: “SonSon” is a reference to Sun Wukong, the Monkey King.
- Two-Player Co-Op: TonTon, SonSon’s pig companion, references Zhu Bajie from the original story.
- Legacy Cameos: Characters and enemies from SonSon appear in games like Don’t Pull and Mega Man Battle Network.
- Rare Boss Patterns: The dragon bosses can spawn with different colors and behaviors.
Conclusion
SonSon delivered fast-paced action, platforming depth, and Eastern mythology in one compact arcade package. As one of Capcom’s earliest successes, it showcased their knack for genre fusion and character design. Its legacy continues today through cameos, re-releases, and its unexpected revival in Capcom’s crossover fighting games.