Masaya Matsuura made a name for himself when he introduced the Parappa the Rapper series and set off a growing trend in the rhythm-based video game genre. The founder of NanaOn-Sha talks about the potential of the now flourishing game genre and how developers should explore its vast potential. You can read about his interview in the full article after the jump.

Being the creator and musical genius behind PaRappa the Rapper (PSOne, PSP), PaRappa the Rapper 2 (PS2), and UmJammer Lammy (PSOne), Masaya Matsuura has a lot of things on his mind right now.

Fresh from the announcement of Musika for the iPod, Matsuura was tagged by 1Up for an interview. Interesting tidbits have surfaced from the sit down, including hints of a possible sequel for the NanaOn-Sha rhythm-based games. With PaRappa the Rapper on the PSP just released, 1Up asked Matsuura if he was interested in doing another PaRappa game in the future.

Matsuura replies with: "Of course, PaRappa was made 10 years ago. [The gameplay style] is a little different in Musika than PaRappa. If I had a chance to make another PaRappa for some hardware, of course I would love to do that."

To fuel our hopes even more, Matsuura's even revealed that even Sony is interested in a sequel as well. Time for the fans to start crossing their fingers and screaming "I gotta believe!" But now that both parties - meaning Maatsura and Sony - have expressed interest, what's stopping them from really penning the said sequel?

Apparently, another factor seems to be the prospect of downloadable content on the PS3 via the PlayStation Network, and to respond to the question, Matsuura says:

Personally, I really love the downloadable games on PS3, but currently I don't have any discussion with Sony Computer Entertainment people right now. We are exchanging casual e-mails, meeting up sometimes. I would not be surprised if these kinds of discussions will be started in the near future.

If this pushes through, we just might see the rapping dog back, a-kicking, a-punching, and a-blocking his way to the PSN.

Here's a new gameplay video for all you PaRappa the Rapper fanatics out there. The clip below not only teaches players how to sing and dance properly but how to bake a cake as well. Yep, you read right - the song is about baking a cake and it's not as boring as it sounds.

Anyway, you will see here a chicken chef helping Parappa hone his culinary skills and showing him how to break eggs properly (which is kind of weird coming from a chicken, when you really think about it). Of course, you have to follow the song to its exact beat lest you want to get one angry chicken.

Aside from this, PaRappa the Rapper will also feature a variety of songs inspired by other skills such as karate and whatnot. The title was originally developed by NaNaOn-Sha and will be released by Sony in North America this July.

The PlayStation Portable is destined to get a new beat as video game PaRappa the Rapper is expected to hit North American shores this coming July. Actually, this PSOne original from developer NanaOn-Sha was released in Japan last year and this is the first time fans in other markets get to play it on a handheld device.

To help promote the game, Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) will be running a series of promotions in the next weeks. In fact, the company even teamed up with fashion company Paul Frank Industries to make sure that the prize for the said promotional events - a tee-shirt - will be something fans would really look forward to.

"To help promote PaRappa the Rapper's debut, Paul Frank Industries teamed up with PaRappa's co-creator and artist, Rodney Alan Greenblat, to create a limited edition tee-shirt featuring Paul Frank's signature character Julius and our very own PaRappa the Rapper," reads a part of SCEA's official announcement.

There is still no mention what kind of promotional event exactly will be used with this but Sony mentioned that they are going to be both online and at numerous events such as Wizard World, ComiCon, LollaPalooza, PAX, and others.

The North American release of the PSP remake of SCEA's PaRappa the Rapper is fast approaching, and today we're bringing you five new screenshots from the game. The ones down below are various Win and Lose screens while the big one up top is hot of the intro for the game's first level. Check 'em out.

PaRappa the Rapper for the PSP is, as we mentioned earlier, the PSP remake of Masaya Matsuura and NanaON-Sha's original beat-breaking game for the first Sony PlayStation. Players can once again take control of PaRappa as he raps his way through all the stages in the game.

The remake will include support for up to four players through wireless multiplayer and a Game Sharing demo. PaRappa the Rapper is slated for a July release in the U.S.

PaRappa the Rapper will begin kicking and chopping North American shelves this July as Sony Computer Entertainment America finally decided to import the video game. Seeing that the title's gameplay is heavily dependent on rhythm, we reckon that you should be familiar first with how PaRappa the Rapper is played.

Here's a video trailer titled Kick Punch Gameplay. It involves one of the few "lessons" in the game. All you have to do to make the rap sound and look good is perform some kicks, punches, and turn around every now and then. Miss a move and you will be sure to notice the change in the beat.

PaRappa the Rapper was created by musician Masaya Matsuura and graphic artist Rodney Grenblat under the development studio NanaOn-Sha.

Are you ready to dance and rap with PaRappa? Well, you better be because Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) just confirmed that it is finally bringing PaRappa the Rapper to North America this July.

And if we may add, initial details look very promising: four player multiplay and eight playable remixes. The video game title was originally released on PlayStation 1 (PSOne) back in 1996. Ten years after, the PlayStation Portable (PSP) remake of this same title hit Japan.

Basically, the new game is similar to the one that is available in Japan - a remake of the PSOne version. But still, a memorable title such as this deserves to be available in as many markets as possible.

Anyway, PaRappa the Rapper was created by video game development studio NanaOn-Sha with the help of musician Masaya Matsuura and New York graphic artist Rodney Greenbalt. Gameplay involves repeating a sequence of sounds and light, and if you get the sequence and the timing correct, then you will hear PaRappa rap.

SCEA also added that the U.S. version will allow players to share a level demo wirelessly, as well as download eight additional playable remixes.

Well, it looks like rhythm game lovers may have a new title to look forward to, and it's going to come from no other than video game development studio NanaOn-Sha, the one responsible for the much-loved series PaRappa the Rapper, as well as other titles like Vib-Ribbon, and Tamagotchi Corner Shop. Now, it seems that the 14-year old company is working on two new titles for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and Nintendo DS (DS).

According to NanaOn-Sha's official website, its developers are "currently in the process of developing and producing an all new casual music game for portable devices." Now, some consider the developer as a studio for Sony's consoles, given its track record, but it is apparent that the DS is being considered as well.

The above quoted statement was found in the site's "Current Projects" section, and goes on to say that they are "also working on the next in the series of our hit game for all the family! Yeh, that one!!" Hmm, this one here is either PaRappa or Vib-Ribbon but we're kind of leaning towards the rapping dog.

Either way, this is good news as it looks like the music-themed video games or rhythm titles are making a come back nowadays. It is arguable that NanaOn-Sha was the one who started this all back in the mid-90s, after all.