Tail Concerto is easily one of my top 10 favorite PS1 games of all time. Back in November of 1999, my parents actually bought it for me from Toys R Us, and I’ve been hooked on it ever since. The game was originally made by CyberConnect2 and put out by Bandai in Japan in April 1998, before Atlus ended up bringing it over to North America a year later. It also features some incredible character designs and artwork by the manga artist Nobuteru Yūki, which gives it that classic anime look that still holds up beautifully today.
The Floating Kingdom of Prairie
The game takes place entirely in Prairie, a massive world made up of floating islands floating in an endless blue sky. Because the islands are totally cut off from one another, all the animal characters have to rely on cool steampunk airships, jetpacks, and gliders just to get around. The atmosphere and world building are incredible. It ranges from the breezy windmills over in Port Prairie to the high tech military paths of the Resiria Skyway. Exploring this whole kingdom in the clouds is an absolute blast.
Officer Waffle Ryebread & The Police Mech
You play as Waffle Ryebread, a laid-back dog police officer who gets thrown into a crazy adventure when a group of rowdy kittens called the Black Cat Gang starts causing total chaos. Waffle gets around the world inside a cool Police Mech. Instead of using normal weapons, the mech shoots out bubbles to trap the mischievous kittens. It also has these giant robotic hands used to grab and hurl crates, explosive mines, and missiles right back at the bosses.
The Black Cat Gang & Mischievous Kittens
At the heart of the game's conflict is the Black Cat Gang, led by three orphan sisters—Alicia, Flare, and Stare. Accompanied by thousands of tiny, laughing kittens piloting small bubble mechs, they travel the skies searching for magical crystals. While they serve as the primary antagonists, their playful nature and chaotic energy define the bright, lighthearted identity of Tail Concerto's narrative.