A rockabilly cat NES action-platformer with a cannon-fist glove. Inventive grappling and swinging mechanics. Overlooked but genuinely charming and well-built. A pleasant catalogue surprise.
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Category
Platformer1 player3+
Description
Action platformer featuring Willy the rock cat battling enemies with his grappling hook and toys. Published by Atlus, released in the USA in 1991. Willy in side-scrolling view with a grappling hook to attach and attack, varied enemies and creative bosses. An original Atlus platformer on NES.
The American NTSC NES edition of Rockin' Kats, the Atlus platformer starring a cat with an extendable fist-gun, released late in the US NES cycle. The late print makes it one of the less common Atlus NES NTSC titles, and a complete US cart already takes some patience. Collector interest comes from the relative end-of-generation scarcity and the growing curiosity for pre-SMT/Persona Atlus NES titles, which pulls NTSC demand upward.
An underrated gem
A rocker cat fitted with an extendable fist that doubles as both weapon and grappling hook: this Atlus platformer rests on a mechanic as original as it is fun to master. Quiet at launch, it never found a wide audience. Its singular gameplay and cheerful cartoon vibe will appeal to fans of offbeat platformers.
Is Rockin' Kats still worth playing in 2026?
Rockin' Kats is a rocking cat action platformer on NES with a fist-cannon glove usable as a grappling hook. Inventive swinging and long-range attack mechanics, varied levels and careful Atlus presentation make for an overlooked but truly charming cart. Controls precise, cartoon humour well-balanced. A lovely surprise to discover today.
