Summary

Noby Noby Boy is an innovative action game by Bandai Namco Games that eschews conventional gameplay for an open-ended, communal experience. With its unique stretching mechanic and the collective goal of expanding GIRL, it offers a whimsical and exploratory adventure.

Release Year: 2009
Genres: Arcade, Indie, Sport
Platforms: iOS, PlayStation 3
Developers: Keita Takahashi, Namco Bandai Games
Publishers: Namco Bandai Games

Introduction

Noby Noby Boy is an exploration of creativity and communal gameplay. Set in a whimsical universe, it invites players to control BOY, a flexible creature that can stretch and interact with the environment in unpredictable ways.

Synopsis

“Noby Noby Boy” is a unique video game developed by Keita Takahashi and published by Namco Bandai. Released for PlayStation 3 in 2009 and iOS in 2010, the game offers an unconventional gaming experience.

The game revolves around a character named “Boy,” a worm-like quadrupedal creature that can stretch its body to colossal lengths. The term “nobi” translates to “stretch” in Japanese, and “nobinobi” signifies a carefree state, reflecting the game’s playful and relaxed nature.

The player controls Boy using the controller’s analog sticks, with each stick controlling one end of Boy. By moving both ends in opposite directions, the player can stretch Boy’s abdomen. This stretching mechanic is not just a gimmick but forms the core of the gameplay. The player can maneuver Boy around its environment, interacting with stationary objects like houses, or AI-controlled characters such as barnyard animals.

The game doesn’t impose any specific goals or objectives on the player. Instead, it encourages exploration and interaction with the environment. The player accumulates points by stretching Boy during gameplay. These points can be submitted online via a character called Sun to another character called Girl.

The points submitted by players worldwide are added cumulatively to Girl, causing her to stretch and unlock new levels. Starting from Earth, Girl has stretched to the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Pluto, and back toward the Sun, and ultimately to Earth again, each unlocking new playable environments for Boy.

The game’s developers expected players to take between one and two weeks of cumulative playtime to reach the Moon. However, the moon was reached just four days after the game’s release. Mars was reached on May 23, 2009, and Jupiter was reached on November 20, 2009. As of January 19, 2011, Girl had reached Saturn. Uranus was reached in the week of December 25 to December 31, 2011. Girl arrived at Neptune around March 6, 2014, and Pluto on November 23, 2015.

After reaching Pluto, Girl had to turn around and repeat all the distance she had already stretched (albeit with the help of ratio-altering multipliers), followed by a short victory lap to unlock Mercury and Venus. These planets were left behind when Girl started her voyage. The final destination was Earth, where Girl started. Girl completed her ultimate objective of uniting all the solar system in harmony on December 14, 2015. This marked the official “end” of the game, though it is still possible to play.

“Noby Noby Boy” is a testament to the creative freedom in video game design. It breaks away from traditional game structures and offers a unique, relaxing, and engaging experience to players. Its innovative use of stretching mechanics, combined with its playful art style and open-ended gameplay, makes it a standout title in the gaming industry.

Characters

BOY is the main character, controlled by the player. GIRL is a cosmic entity that grows as players around the world contribute their lengths to her, enabling exploration of new celestial bodies.

Gameplay

Gameplay centers around stretching BOY in various environments. Players can manipulate his body to interact with objects, animals, and the landscape, creating a playful and often humorous experience. The game lacks defined goals or missions, emphasizing exploration and interaction.

Conclusion

Noby Noby Boy is a testament to the boundless creativity in video games. It blurs the line between game and social experiment, offering an experience that is as intriguing as it is bizarre. While not for everyone, its unique charm and communal achievements have secured its place in gaming history.