Wow, $18. I wish we could get the price here in the US. I think PSP games should be $30-40 max and most games averaging about $25. I thought LocoRoco was a pretty good game (though I have only played the demo) some parts are confusing like the hidden areas and stuff, but I think I might buy it. I can see brain games being a hit, even though I’m sure the Japanese get enough of it since kids have to go to school 6 days a week and as for cooking programs, who wants to accidentally pour piping hot gravy on your $200+ PSP?

Reply

Haha, that's so obvious. The people notice that Sony is copying Nintendo with this game and that the original game idea would translate a THOUSAND times better to the DS than it is on the PSP. I got Untold Legends 2 the other day and it absolutely rocks. These are the kind of games meant to be played on a PSP. Sony should know who they are and who they're dealing with... they've been pushing towards the "older" gamers since the PS1, they can't just change course and think they'll sell millions if they copy Nintendo. But I have to admit that Loco Roco caught *very* much attention here in Germany. All the non-gamers actually know about it (that's no big deal with a TV-commercial, one of the first I've seen for PSP games) and always ask me if I had it. I only have the demo, though... a friend bought the full version and I'll first try it out.

Reply

The game is fun, but I think its because the DS overshadows everything there. It will probably fare better her in the States where the PSP is more on equal footing. I have no doubts that it will make greatest hits status, it's just that in Japan, its all DS and very little of anything else.

Reply

i played the loco roco demo, and while its fun...it gets old quick. real quick.

so if i see it in the bargain bin before i come back to the US, i'll pick it up, but sure not at full price.

Reply

Just download the demo and play that because the rest of the game is pretty much the same and you'll save some money.

As for the games low sales, this doesn't bode well for the US launch since this game looks more like a Japanese than a US game.

Reply

That is weird.
It seems like the perfect game for Japan and it seems like the best audience for loco roco are those of us who were terribly disappointed with that horrible Katamari port. I tried the demo and I can't imagine this being a bad game. But then again, I can't imagine it being too expensive of a game either. Were they selling it at the same price as the big production new releases before it went in the bargain bin? Maybe at Y1980 it'll do better. I might just import it if the price ends up being the same as buying it new next month. Then again, even new, it shouldn't be going for anything more than $35.
Unfortunately for us, it costs a company about the same (in terms of resources and manpower) to produce a ps2 game as it does a psp game. Of course they pass that cost on to us the consumer.

Who says this is a kids game? I don't think kids smoke enough to really appreciate it.

Don't do drugs kids.

Reply

Why do you want it to succeed?

Reply

Maybe this is shallow and repetitive (as are many other games of this general sort, on DS and other systems), but how is this somehow Sony copying Nintendo?

Reply

I'd like to see it succeed as well because that will possibly lead to more development of original ideas like this.

Honestly if Japan does not eat this game up I really don't know what the hell those people want. America's market has a tendancy to be seen as shallow and full of 'cowboy' games (lone guy with a gun in whatever time period) but I'm starting to realize that the Japan market is even more shallow than the American market.

It's pretty amazing how quickly that country latches onto trends (DS, touch generation, brain_whatever). I mean the games are fun and all, but sheeeeesh! How about some variety Japan?

Reply

I tried the demo and liked it a lot. It's been a long time since a game made me smile just because it was fun, and funny, but Loco Roco did it. I went ahead and ordered the import, and so far, I'm still enjoying it.

It's too bad, and very surprising, that the game isn't selling well in Japan. Something this cute, with really great music, seemed like a sure bet for a cute-crazy country like Japan. And if it sold well, it would encourage more companies to try something different, not the usual ports or genres. Hopefully, it does better in other countries.

Reply

This is really disheartening news. I thought Loco Roco would be a big hit in Japan, and at first, it seemed like it would. But now, it's not looking too good.

However, I don't think anyone should jump just yet. The PSP needs more and more of these types of titles, and I think, eventually, the Japanese will come around.

Reply

If you actually sit and play Loco Roco you soon realise its not as simple as saying "Its just a Nintendo game, Sony are copying" This is very much a Sony game. It might LOOK like a Nintendo game to most of the narrow minded, but you need to shut up and play it for a good 5 hours. Then make a claim.

Whoever made this game is on some serious crack. Its full of charm and happiness, but there is a strange slant of down right insanity and sinisterness about it too.

This game made me Smile alot and even laugh out loud sometimes. Not many do that anymore. It might be a bit repetetive in NATURE, but the ultimate goals of finding EVERYTHING make it very very addictive. If you say its samey, that like saying Mario is... Run Jump run Jump.. Block bash.. platform etc for 100 levels. Its not just about that, there are many other elements to the game as there is with Mario games, but Loco Roco puts one hell of a twist on it all.

Try building your OWN levels too... and a Loco Roco party house with all the pieces you collect and watch the little mad fellas party on....

Reply

LocoRoco is not selling anywhere for 1980yen. That ad was basically pointing out if you buy they LocoRoco+PSP bundle it's effectively 1980yen. Search the net and you won't find one store in Japan selling LocoRoco for 1980yen.

Reply

japanguy,

You know, I thought it was fishy! I couldn't quite believe why it was so cheap! Even crap games on PSP dont go to bargain bin THAT quickly.

Maybe someone needs to find out the REAL score......

Reply

Yeah, not cool to claim it's 'already in bargain bins for Y1980' if you don't know what the ad says.

I think it's a little early to say it hasn't done well, either. Can't we give a game a month before we declare it a failure, these days? Yeesh.

Reply