Absolutely amazing game. In my personal circle, literally everybody and their family had either played the game or at the least knew the main themes of the music. IIR it was also a bit cheaper than many other games.

I personally think the bizarre setting, art design, and great soundtrack (perhaps a top-3 ever in gaming) did a lot to overcome a lot of the awkwardness of the gameplay. It was an experience you wanted to have, it was original, and the concept was almost 80's arcade pure. The ambience provided the reason to want to be there.

If you were to reframe the game without those things, I'm not entirely sure it holds up as well.

But 20+ years later I can walk into a room with my friends, start whistling the theme and everybody will join in.

What a joyful game.