LocoRoco!

Finally! Finally Sony has knocked some senses back into it's strategy with the PSP.
On paper, the PSP is a sexy piece of hardware, lots of great features. What really let's it down is the games. All it turn out to be is exactly what it's name is, a portable PlayStation.
By that I mean 90% of the games on the machine are just smaller versions of their PSX/PS2 big brothers, with graphics between the two. You get the GTAs, the Ridge Racers, the WipeOuts, and the Metal Gears. And because of this I can only really recommend 2 PSP "killer apps", Lumines and Exit. Katamari Damacy is also good but it's a PS2 conversion.

And this is where Nintendo know what they're doing, cos not only do they flog their life-long franchises (mario, zelda, metroid etc), but they also come up with some really new and interesting things, eg Chibi Robo, bit Generations, WarioWare etc etc.

But the other day I bought LocoRoco. A PSP exclusive, the game is exactly what handhelds were made for - simple, innovative fun. The game features basic graphics with primary colours, and has one of the easiest control/gameplay methods you'll find (left/right triggers to roll, and one button!). All you gotta do is roll the very cheerful LocoRocos around the world to collect berries, while navigating the cool world which can include things like swings, gears, wind pipes, traps and even the inside of a big frog!

The gameplay is really easy to get into, and it has a killer soundtrack which you can't help humming to, featuring the Locos themselves singing along (and not always in time with each other!). No screenshot nor rant from me can do the game justice, so I've posted the official trailer too!

And that's what Sony need to do more of, make new fun games to play, not just another Tekken for PSP. At least Lumines 2 and Exit 2 have been announced...

SoB - A not-so-happy-PSP-owner-that's-now-much-happier :o)