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Yet another Loco Roco contest
I probably shouldn't tell you guys about these contests. Why? Because that means the odds that I'll win become smaller! Drats! But still, it's our responsibility at Loco Roco PSP Fanboy to tell you about things like this. Head over to the US PlayStation.com site and enter for your chance to win one of five prize packages, containing two Loco Roco inflatables, a Loco Roco branded T-shirt and a copy of Loco Roco. See also: Loco Roco umbrella sells for $67 Love Loco Roco? Buy the shirt
Former EGM editor speaks on state of PSP in Japan
It's been no secret that the PSP has struggled to keep up with the DS Lite in Japan, although one Sony exec says otherwise. Former EGM editor turned part owner of the Japan-based localization firm 8-4, John Ricciardi, was recently interviewed by Gamasutra on the state of gaming in Japan, and he shed some light on why the PSP is losing the portable gaming war."I think there's some kind of disconnect between the people who create the hardware and the people who sell it." He said the PSP started off strong, but have been hindered by some fundamental hardware issues. "I felt like I was holding the future," but the game-based ramifications of the hardware are not well thought through. Another problem with the PSP is it "costs almost as much to make a [PSP] game as to make a PS2 game," he said. Well, Ricciardi didn't really say anything we didn't already know about the PSP, but it's interesting to hear industry insiders express the same complaints most of us gamers have. However, Sony made a pretty damn good showing at the Tokyo Game Show, so let's hope things are on the up and up.[Via Gamasutra]
Overheard: LocoRoco team wanted to develop for DS
If Kotaku is to be believed, a member of the Loco Roco development team was overheard at TGS saying: "We'd love to have made a DS version. We're just gamers. But, we work for Sony." Makes sense, considering how cute these critters are. More likely than not though, a Nintendo fanboy simply created this story to get people riled up.
Loco Roco theme song karaoke!
Everybody sing along! Bajumbo moi noi noi jecker Dabatto bunkergait jun jun Nora juere-rotto pura-pura petto Puraret dum dum Paruranoi noi noi jecker Dabatto bunkerget tum tum Ora poerketino bookertan tan-tan-so Bokertyo kyenturanai mimani unlahood-cha-la Terra hooki-ra pishi-to diki-ra poody-to Seni-kidi koseibo Kokorenkyo kyenturanai mimani unlalhood-cha-la Terra hooki-ra shishi-sho tusura hajiki yo... [Via 1UP]
Loco Roco leads BAFTA nominations
BAFTA's British Academy Video Games Awards, to be held on October 5th, has announced their nominations. There were two games with the most nominations: Loco Roco for the PSP and Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter for Xbox 360, both earning eight nominations each. The only other PSP-exclusive title to be nominated was Daxter. Read after the cut to see the categories these two games are competing in.
Build a Loco Roco house, win stuff
After such a convincing Metareview, you probably got up and ran out to buy yourself a copy of Loco Roco, right? Well, one of the cooler features in the game is the ability to build your very own house for the blubbery blobs with pieces hidden throughout the levels. With enough rare items and tons of creativity, you can really make something truly spectacular. In order to encourage some creativity amongst the PSP crowd, hardcore PSP fanboy chubigans (the guy who brought you the Flash Arcade collection) is holding a contest where you can win three UMDs from Silver Platter. All you have to do is build a home, and take a snapshot of your creation through the in-game capture method. Not bad, huh? Get moving, because the deadline is September 25th. If you do enter a submission, why not show it off to us too? Simply add a link to your creation in the comments section below. [Via Club IGN]
Metareview: Loco Roco
The last time PSP Fanboy did a Metareview, it covered another one of my most-wanted games: Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins. It didn't fare too well, with the critics bashing its much-too-high level of difficulty. Garnering only a 73 average, many felt a little disappointed, myself included. [Andrew's note: the game is pretty damn good, but then again, one of my favorite games last generation was Ikaruga.] The other game I've been obsessing over, Loco Roco, has just been released and although it got some poor initial reviews from Gamespot and a nine year old girl, the critics seem to be in agreement that Loco Roco will make you cucoo for Cocoa Puffs. Here are excerpts from the critics: IGN (90/100) - "You'll discover playing Loco Roco is a lot like eating candy, only without the stomachache after an overdose. That sounds absurd but it really gets the point across. It's vibrant, cheery and serves no other point than to make you smile. But, like candy, Loco Roco also ends sooner than you want it to end." The New York Times (90/100) - "With imaginative levels on snowy landscapes or inside whales, Loco Roco uses charm and simplicity of design to create something near perfection. But it's a small perfection, charming in its childlike whimsy but as insubstantial as a summer breeze." GamePro (60/100) - "So much of LocoRoco is so clever and original that it's almost perplexing when it stops being any fun. The fun does run out, though, long before the game is over -- in that sense, the experiment has to be called a failure." Well, it looks like the people of GamePro don't like candy. But, the rest of us can be proud of Loco Roco's impressive 84 average from the critics.
Happy Loco Roco contest news & sad soundtrack news
How much do YOU love Loco Roco? The game's now available in stores and VH1 is giving away this huge inflatable figure, and other prizes, to fans of the game. All you have to do is send them a picture of LocoRoco in the "real world" (riding the train, in a diner, etc.), and you can use any method you want: PhotoShop, cardboard figures, creating a real LocoRoco from the primordial ooze you have stored in the freezer. See all the contest details. In other Loco Roco news, GamesRadar has confirmed our fears that a Loco Roco soundtrack CD won't be made any time soon. That didn't stop GamesRadar from hosting a few of the songs on its servers. Check out creatively titled songs like Black Song, Blue Song and even Green Song. Wow. See also: Who sings the Loco Roco song?
IGN shows why it's a great time to own a PSP
We've all been saying "just wait until later in the year when the really good games start coming out for the PSP. Yeah, maybe then the PSP will kick the DS in the nuts."Well, IGN has done us all a great service and compiled all the best upcoming games set to be released this fall.Here's a list (in alphabetical order) of the games: Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception ATV Offroad Fury Pro Bounty Hounds Death Jr. 2: Root of All Evil EA Replay Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories Justice League Heroes Killzone: Liberation LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy LocoRoco Lumines II Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Medal of Honor Heroes Mercury Meltdown Metal Slug Anthology Scarface: Money.Power.Respect WTF: Work Time Fun WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007 Wow, that is some list, eh? While there are more than a couple games on the list I know I won't be interested in, there are just way too many good games to ignore. Later this year, the PSP will finally be making some noise again.(Via IGN)
Another story about Loco Roco... and Japanese models
Perverted Japanese PSP Fanboy's Andrew Yoon consistently writes news stories about Loco Roco and Japanese models. In his ideal version of paradise, those two would somehow be combined. That day... has come! Firstly, you can learn the difference between all the characters of Loco Roco by checking out Siliconera. See the cute MuiMui, the racially insensitive Mojya, and more! Next, check out how Sony's trying to make the Japanese people like Loco Roco a bit more than they do now: they'll use actress Ryoko Shinohara to pose with the game and star in new commercials. Oh my, it appears that Andrew's died and gone to heaven. Loco Roco comes to the US in just one week. [First half via Siliconera, second half via PSP-Vault]
Video Sandwich: August 27, 2006
myFlash = new FlashObject('http://www.gametrailers.com/umremote310.swf', 'swffile', 480, 409, 8); myFlash.altTxt = ''; myFlash.addVariable('umid', 11079); myFlash.write(); Afraid of global warming? Hate seeing gas prices keep on going up? You can blame George W. Bush, but the secret's finally out. This hard-hitting edition of Video Sandwich reveals that every single problem in the US of A is caused by monkeys. Yes. Monkeys. These are no ordinary monkeys, though. They are college educated bionic monkeys that are trying to destroy the world. I have complete faith in our president to stop this evil menace: I mean, imagine how much he's learned due to Brain Age.The heart-stopping news doesn't stop yet, folks. PSP Fanboy revealed recently that PSPs may be used as weapons by terrorists. Well, it looks like I've uncovered one of these terrorists' videos. It shows a scrawny white guy dancing to the music of Loco Roco and is obviously used as a torture device. His awful outfit, and even worse moves, clearly go against all Geneva Convention laws.
Love Loco Roco? Buy the shirt
Hmm... what to wear? You could wear a t-shirt from Saved by the Bell's Screech... OR you could buy one of these totally awesome Loco Roco shirts. They proudly feature our blubbery friend against a maroon background, and is available for both men and women (but not six year old girls). They may be a bit pricey ($22), but that's a hell of a lot cheaper than those insanely expensive (and cool) King of Games shirts.Also available is a shirt for you Silent Hill fans. Now go watch that Origins footage again, and again.[Via DS Fanboy]
9 year old girl hates Loco Roco, flaming ensues
Through our comments section, I've learned that Joystiq (and this site as well) hates the PSP, Sony, you, and your mother. They recently posted a news story about a Loco Roco review posted by a nine year old girl (daughter of the author of The Xbox 360 Uncloaked). Here's an excerpt:"This game is for younger kids such as five- or six-year-olds. Older kids might not like it. The music is for two- or three-year-olds. It gets annoying with the baby singing. If you beat the level, you get a prize. I haven't beaten the whole level yet so I don't know what the prize is. I'd give this game a one out of four star rating."What I find absolutely hilarious is how this "kiddie" game seems to appeal to us adults more than this little kid. Even more hilarious are the fanboys flaming the girl on the site:Wow, that "review" was mediocre. The game is for all ages, just because some people are too shallow to look past certain things like music or graphics doesn't mean it's "for" any certain age range. - EdwardYou know what really deserved 1 out of 4 stars? This review... Why do you have a 9 year old review video games? Is it because it (Loco Roco) looks kiddy? Or does everybody think video games in general are kiddy? Well, they're not. - Slamming If it's such a baby game, why couldn't she beat the first level? - Captin Shmit Remember folks, it's always really cool to pick on a little girl on the internet.
Loco Roco slammed by nine year old
Tired of all those positive reviews and previews for Loco Roco that say the game is "fresher, funnier and more satisfying than words could ever make it sound." and "guaranteed to keep you smiling too." Well, all you contrarians out there can count on a nine year old girl to tell it like it is.San Jose Mercury News reporter (and book author) Dean Takahashi let his daughter Tanya try out the demo version of the game and give her honest opinion on the Merc's gaming blog. Tanya is none-too-kind, saying the game is best suited "for younger kids such as five- or six-year-olds," and that the music (which an older reviewer called "joyful, atmospheric [and] poignant") is "annoying with the baby singing." The final verdict? One out of four stars. Ouch![Via GameSetWatch]
Who sings the Loco Roco song?
The super-happy music of Loco Roco is enough to brighten anyone's day. But don't you want to know who's responsible for the sweet, childish vocals in the background? Well, now you can! This video shows you the adorable girl who's spent her life singing commercial jingles. I'm impressed that she could memorize and sing a completely made-up language!
Loco Roco meets DDR in new PSP Revolution Style
I'm personally surprised by the lack of PSP Revolution coverage on the Fanboy. Is it because the idea of playing a DDR-clone without the ability to dance seems a bit futile? Or is it because we're too afraid to admit that we bust a groove to the sounds of NAOKI all the time? Well, no more silence, I say! Typo-laden QJ.net has revealed a new iteration of the popular homebrew "dancing" game: Loco Roco Style. It features art and two songs from the Loco Roco game, with more to come on the way.
Loco Roco Video Sandwich special!
The past few stories about Loco Roco have been a bit too depressing. Let's ignore the low sales and remember the good things about the game: like happy happy graphics and even happier music. That's what this fun, candy-coated Loco Roco fan video does. It showcases some images from the game and puts it to the absolutely fantastic music of the game. If this doesn't make you happy, then you've lost your childhood somewhere along the way.The bottom video of this special edition Video Sandwich shows you how to get every single secret in the downloadable demo. Pretty helpful for those of you that want to earn your Loco Roco Rewards the right way. It's intersting to see the things that you may have missed. (I know without this video, I would've never found that final fruit that I've been missing!)
Japan not loco for Loco Roco
We really want Loco Roco to succeed, and it's pretty obvious considering all the coverage we give it. Regardless of all the advertising and the special Loco Roco bundles, the game simply hasn't sold too well. In fact, the game has been doing so poorly that it's already available in bargain bins for a low price of 1980 yen (about $18). Maybe Sony should reconsider making games for the PSP and focus solely on making brain games and cooking programs.[Via Kotaku]
Loco Roco comic on Penny Arcade
Penny Arcade is once again featured in Joystiq's Weekly Webcomic Wrapup, and it is good. The happy-go-lucky nature of the Loco Roco has dark consequences, as you'll be able to see in the comic. But be warned, children! There's yucky adult language that might offend you. Tycho does seem to enjoy the game quite a bit, though. In his latest blog entry, he talks about Gamespot's 7.7 review and says "If I didn't know better, I would say they were reviewing games with the wrong organs." He thinks the game deserves much better.Don't forget to vote on Joystiq when you're done laughing.
Loco Roco demo rewards players [Update 1]
Loco Roco is a gift to PSP owners: it's an original IP that's getting a lot of buzz for the system, and it was one of the very first games to offer a downloadable demo. Well, the gifts are still coming. From now until August 19th, you can enter the code that appears at the top right-hand corner of the screen when you finish your game to earn some new gifts. Gifts include sound files and wallpapers. It says you need version 1.01 of the demo, but from the looks of things, whatever demo you have right now should work perfectly fine.Enter your code (or download the demo) here.Thanks, steve![Update 1: For those of you that don't want to have fun a challenge, here are the download links of the gifts!]Download Set #1Download Set #2Download Set #3Download Set #4
