Gamertell

Patapon is a strangely engaging PSP game. The rhythmic sounds and chants burrow into your brain, until you find yourself thinking in patas and chakas before bed. It enters your subconscious, compelling you to bring out the PSP and play.

And the portable nature of the PSP only makes this addiction worse. Its simple to take the game out at any time. “Just one more five minute level,” you tell yourself, and then find a half hour later that you’re still playing.

But as wonderful as Patapon is, there are times and places where it simply doesn’t belong. Help save yourself from embarrassment and humiliation by reading and learning when it isn’t appropriate to play.

On the bus/subway/L.
When I play Patapon, I occasionally find myself chanting as I tap, trying to recall some of the sacred songs. It isn’t until some asks me, “What does ‘Pon pata pon pata’ mean?” that I realize my grievous mistake. Playing Patapon while on public transportation could cause fellow travelers to wonder if you’re insane and think that you’re actually communicating with your PSP. Sure, you’d get extra birth while sitting, and probably be offered a seat, but you’d also get some incredibly strange looks.

While around rhythmically-challenged friends or family members.
Nothing is more frustrating than listening to someone you love as they repeatedly miss the beat. How difficult is it to hit the notes and keep time? Apparently it is some kind of mystical talent only some people possess, because I’ve seen far to many people completely and utterly fail at Patapon It gets to the point where you’re ready to snatch the PSP from their hands and do the level for them just so you don’t have to hear the poor little patapons complain.

While in a waiting room at a doctor’s office.
Playing Patapon may cause unintentional twitching and foot tapping. Doing this while in a waiting room may cause unintentional alarm, as a doctor or nurse may mistake absentminded movements as some sort of seizure, and the next thing you know you’ll be doped up on extremely expensive medication.

In any kind of class.
You’re in school for a reason - to learn. I know lecture hall classes are boring, and there are times when you seriously don’t need to pay attention. This does not mean it is Patapon time. See, Patapon would require headphones, which means that if something important was mentioned, you’d miss it. Then you’d look like an idiot when you missed that question on the test. Do yourself a favor - if you absolutely must play a game during class, play Crisis Core, Monster Hunter or some other title which doesn’t require impairing your hearing.

While engaging in any kind of conversation.
It is physically impossible to talk with somebody while playing Patapon. If by some miracle you can, then you’re seriously an amazing individual. People’s brains weren’t wired to participate in any kind of activity while also playing Patapon. You’ll either start speaking gibberish to whoever you’re with, or you’ll completely screw up your game. If Patapon had a pause function, I’d say this feat may be possible, but it doesn’t so it isn’t.

At any kind of formal/special occasion.
No. Just no. If you’re at any kind of special, or formal, or important occasion, then please behave respectably. There’s a time to play video games, and a time to get serious and focus on what is actually happening in real life. If you’re at a birthday party, graduation, funeral, wedding, speech or any kind of important event, then leave the PSP at home. And for the people out there thinking this is obvious - it isn’t. At my college graduation I saw three people in my immediate vicinity, fellow graduates, playing games and texting on their cell phones.

Read [IGN] Site [Patapon] Also Read [Gamertell]