Kotaku: Locoroco

These LocoRoco Plushies Are Adorable, Handmade

Brian Crecente — Sat, 15 May 2010 20:00:00 EDT

Reader Michael Wootton sent along these pictures showing off the personal LocoRoco plush collection he and his girlfriend handmade. More »

The Good Old Cheese-And-PSP Sales Tactic

Stephen Totilo — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:40:11 EST

The LocoRoco edition of the PlayStation Portable becomes yet another gaming product to take advantage of the great crossover between fans of video games and fans of string cheese, as seen in a circular from this past weekend. More »

New LocoRoco Game, New LocoRoco Trailer

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:30:00 EDT

There's a new LocoRoco game due out later this year, and a new game means new gimmicks, in this case a fundamental change to the game's simple control scheme, with the introduction of the "boing". More »

LocoRoco Swag Arrives, Only Two Years Too Late

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 05:00:00 EST

We've bemoaned the lack of LocoRoco merchandise previously. For a franchise so steeped in cuteness, it's a mystery as to why we aren't drowning in plushies and other assorted pieces of licensed crap. More »

LocoRoco 2? Cheap!

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:40:56 EST

Sony is letting you have LocoRoco2 for a song. In brand new video game terms, that's $19.99 USD or, in SCEA pricing terms "the cost of just two movie tickets." More »

Mega Man Blows Mario's Badly-Rendered Gingerbread Brains Out

Mike Fahey — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 12:30:00 EST

It all starts off innocently enough, but when you start mixing franchises in your video game-inspired holiday gingerbread cookies it can only end in tears. More »

Sony Overdoes It With LittleBigPlanet LocoRoco Costumes

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:40:00 EST

Okay, Sony. Stop the cute train, we want to get off. On paper, blending the adorableness of LocoRoco's blobs with the preciousness of LittleBigPlanet's Sackboy looks like a win-win. In practice, though... :( We'll just keep chanting "Ico and Yorda Sackboy costumes!" until it becomes reality. More »

LocoRoco 2's Number One Fan

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:30:00 EDT

Hi Tsutomu Kouno. As the guy who made LocoRoco, and who is making LocoRoco 2, what do you think about...uh, Tsutomu? More »

LocoRoco 2 Trailer to Listen to

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:00:00 EDT

Sony's PSP title LocoRoco is back with a cleverly named sequel: LocoRoco 2. And it's brought annoyingly catchy music with it! If you watch this trailer at least twice, you'll have that tune stuck in your head all day. Once, even. More »

LocoRoco Coming To (Japanese) Mobile Phones

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:30:00 EDT

Proof you can't keep a hopping, adorable mass of singing blobs down, Sony have today announced that LocoRoco will be making the jump from Sony console to mobile phone. And not as an "interactive screensaver", either, but as a proper LocoRoco game. It'll be priced at ¥420 (USD$3.80), and goes on sale...oh, today! More »

LocoRoco 2 Screens

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:30:00 EDT

Sony's released a handful of LocoRoco 2 screens which look all cutsy and whatnot. The PSP title hasn't been dated yet, it will apparently feature new bosses and more catchy music. Click through the gallery below to have a look! More »

LocoRoco 2 Revealed In New Famitsu

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:30:22 EDT

That Sony Computer Entertainment is going back to the LocoRoco well for another chance at acclaim and fortune should come as no surprise. The game's director, Tsutomu Kouno, has been chatting it up for ages and even SCEE reps confirmed it for a PSP release this year. Good then, that Sony got around to confirming its existence in the latest issue of Weekly Famitsu. More »

LocoRoco 2 Plops Onto PSP This Year

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:00:35 EDT

The creator of the original LocoRoco for PSP, Tsutomu Kouno, may think the PSP needs fewer sequels, but that's not going to stop him from giving us more yellow blob rolling fun. He's hard at work on LocoRoco 2, a game Kouno says will have "new gameplay based on physical calculation and crowd AI." More »

Patapon CES Trailer

fdemarco — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 12:00:00 EST

Man, CES isn't for another two weeks and yet here we are with our first trailer for the upcoming rhythm game Patapon. A certain luck Editor got a preview copy that he is even now probably playing on his way to his festive holiday festivities. The design on this one looks great and ties in very nicely with Japan Studios' highly addictive and eternally cheerful Loco Roco. You can definitely tell they are part of the same family yet completely different in their gameplay. Considering how much I loved Loco Roco, this will be a must-have for my PSP. More »

Wanna work on LocoRoco Games?

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 01:00:43 EST

Sony's LocoRoco staff has put out a Help Wanted ad on the Sony Computer Entertainment site. The team is gearing up for another PSP game and is looking for a "game planner," which would be something like an associate producer in English. The game planner will be responsible for the nuts and bolts of the operation: Things like, well, game planning, making the scenario, creating artwork and level design. (Sounds like they are looking for a LocoRoco bitch!) You can even apply online! I so bet the final interview has applicants sing that LocoRoco song. More »

At Least Threadless Love E For All

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 20:40:22 EDT

Community t-shirt vendor Threadless is no stranger to video game collaborations/sponsorships. They've held design contests centered around themes like PaRappa the Rapper, LocoRoco and Bioshock—and they ain't stoppin' now. Partnering with E For All for their latest competition, budding Illustrator users can win fabulous prizes, including a Wii, cold hard cashola, and tickets to the E For All expo. More »

LocoRoco Creator Fighting the Good Fight

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 03:00:01 EDT

Tsutomu Kouno is a creative guy. Hey, he created LocoRoco. Thing is, he works for a big multi-national corporation. Guys in suits aren't known for their creativity — even at Sony. So imagine the bewilderment Kouno got trying to explain LocoRoco to them. He recalls: More »

LocoRoco Coming to PS3 for Absolute Sure

Mark Wilson — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:40:29 EDT

Sony has finally confirmed the rumors and rumors that LocoRoco is coming to the PS3's PSN. Its official moniker is Buu Buu Cocoreccho! by LocoRoco which we, given that Ash is fast asleep, can only assume translates to: Yeah, we know that a LocoRoco game isn't the sort of franchise that will rocket boost the PS3 to worldwide domination, but we sorta committed to it with the PSP, and everyone is staring at us! by LocoRoco. More »

All You Wanted To Know About Tsutomu Kouno (But Were Too Afraid To Ask)

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 01:00:06 EDT

There are things we want to know about game creators. In a recent interview, LocoRoco Tsutomu Kouno tells us those things we want to know. Things like how he broke into the industry or the kinds of games he wants to make. What's more, he talks about how attitudes among Japanese and Western gamers are changing. We wants a global group of gamers! He also tells us other stuff. Lots and lots of it. More »

LocoRoco Creator On SIXAXIS: "Tiring"

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 22 May 2007 09:00:33 EDT

So Tsutomu Kouno is working on a LocoRoco sequel. The game isn't too difficult from the original, save for new AI and physic calculations. But will it be for the PSP or the PS3? Kouno says: More »

LocoRoco Creator Says PSP Needs Fewer Sequels

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 18 May 2007 03:00:14 EDT

LocoRoco creator Tsutomo Kouno is only one man. Ask him, he'll tell you. So, even if he wanted to make all the ideas he has for new games, Kouno couldn't. He tells Games Industry: More »

Risking Scolding, LocoRoco Creator Talks Sequel

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 16 May 2007 07:00:42 EDT

LocoRoco creator Tsutomu Kouno dropped a few sequel hints at the Nordic Game Conference. While saying he was going to get "scolded" if he offered too much info, Kouno promised LocoRoco 2 would have: More »

So Foreigners, What's It Like Making Games In Japan?

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 02:30:31 EDT

Live in Japan? Then you can probably relate with a feature game site Gamasutra has up on foreigners working in the Japanese game industry. Things covered include the office culture, learning the language and reasons for moving to The Land of the Rising Sun. The feature gets insight from JC Barnett (pseudonym for Japanmanship blogger who works at unidentified company), Greg Tavares (seven year Tokyo-vet, worked on games like LocoRoco) and Dylan Cuthbert (got his start in the UK, later part of StarFox team, set-up his own studio in Kyoto). All of them has good things to say — Especially Cuthbert who sums up the UK, US and Japanese game industry culture: More »

Rumor: LocoRoco PS3 Hits In June?

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 20:20:19 EDT

I don't want to say I called it, but I totally called it. When Home was shown off at GDC and LocoRoco creator Tsutomu Kouno dropped not-so-subtle hints, LocoRoco for PLAYSTATION 3 seemed like a lock. More »

Rumor: Loco Roco Coming To PS3

fdemarco — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 18:00:00 EDT

Kotakuite Spence sends in this interesting tidbit about the possibility of Loco Roco coming to the PS3. It seems that during Phil Harrison's keynote speech at this year's GDC, an eagle eyed NeoGAF forum poster noticed a Loco Roco achievement trophy within the Home demonstration. More »

GDC07: PS3 LocoRoco Coming?

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 19:20:37 EST

At this week's Game Developer Conference, Sony dropped some not-so-subtle hints about the future of the LocoRoco franchise. While the PSP version was a very minor hit, Sony remains committed to the series and it should come as no surprise that they'll continue with more hypercute blobby platforming. More »

GDC07: Loco Roco, a Jiggly Postmortem and the Most Boring Session Ever

Jason Chen — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 21:00:08 EST

This session is in Japanese, translated on the fly by people "UN-style" into our headphones. So everyone is familiar with Loco Roco, yes? The jelly game for the PSP, allowing you tilt the world around to guide that big blob like a snot on a tissue. Okay? Good. Here's a mini history. More »

Highlights From Harrison's DICE Q&A

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 16:40:27 EST

If you expected earth shattering announcements at DICE, you might want begin lowering your expectations. Phil Harrion's question and answer session with N'Gai Croal this morning focused more on the Sony Worldwide Studios and third-party development side than on product announcements. Rather than have the short attention span crowd wade through talk of rendering pipelines and open source platform support, I'll wrap up the few product highlights. More »

Phil Harrison: "Nobody will ever use 100% of PS3's capability"

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 22:40:19 EST

The always quotable Phil Harrison, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, sat down for a conversation Stephen Totilo of MTV to talk all things PlayStation. So what does Phil have to offer? More »

Reminder: LocoRoco Holiday Level Downloadable Now

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 23:45:43 EST

Just a quick reminder, as I totally forgot that Sony released the LocoRoco Christmas level on December 11th for the PSP. The free download is (obviously, if you look at the calendar) available now, so get going. I just kicked it off and will see how well gaming Christmas cheer holds up against a six-pack of my AMPM's finest lager. More »

Kotaku Stalku: LocoRoco Creator Caught Drawing On Walls

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 12:21:03 EST

You're in Vienna. Your big time PSP game is getting a Christmas touch-up. How do you celebrate? Deface property! And then after that, scribble on small Austrian children. Here's super nice Tsutomo Kouno inking out a scene on a display at Subotron Shop, a retro-gaming and game culture shop in Vienna. Brian Ashcraft More »

Free Cmas Loco Roco Coming

Brian Crecente — Fri, 24 Nov 2006 17:00:59 EST

Starting December 11, Playstation Portable owners will be able to get their LocoRoco game on for free. Sony is making a Christmas-themed level of the strangely mesmerizing blobby game available for free on YourPSP.com More »

Like Watching Your Fat Friend Run

egauger — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 22:40:59 EDT

Los Angeles is disgusting. From the game store/check cashing combo, to Melissa's blas pep, to Batman's creepy laugh, to the Hulk hustling for a tip ( and being denied), this whole segment gives me the jibblies. More »

LocoRoco Selling Nuts at Japanese Festival

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 10:22:38 EDT

In Japan, Cameron Diaz sells coffee on TV. So does Meg Ryan. And Tommy Lee Jones. Brad Pitt doesn't sell coffee, but jeans. And Jean Reno? Toyota mini-vans, but I bet he has sold coffee. Somewhere. So it was no surprise when tipster thaKingRocka dropped us this line: More »

Loco Roco Deviant Art

kotaku.com — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 13:40:26 EDT

Thanks to Sven C. for pointing out the amazing Loco Roco inspired art of Deviant Art member Black Mago. Oh, sure, Eliza's probably sneering right now: "Why are gamers so impressed by rote copying? How can you post this, Florian? Why aren't you supporting real art?" The answer to that question, of course, is that I am an easily amused idiot. Florian EckhardtBlackmago's Loco Roco Page [Deviant Art] More »

LocoRoco Plushes Won't Stop the Music

Brian Crecente — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 14:00:56 EDT

Anne Packrat wrote to say that she made these LocoRoco plushes, mostly by hand, in a futile attempt to get the music to stop playing in her head. The plushes didn't stop the music in my head either, but they did make me giggle a little. I would love to take one of these and just bean the crap out of someone in the head with it while shouting the nonsense words as loud as I could. Yes, I have issues. Brian Crecente More »

Threadless

Michael McWhertor — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 15:47:07 EDT

Hipster t-shirt site Threadless has kicked off their "Spread The Joy" contest, soliciting t-shirt designs with a LocoRoco flavor. Using the "Spread The Joy" tagline, contestants are asked to create a design that only incorporates the theme, but not necessarily the words, or apparently, anything LocoRoco related. Am I reading that right? I think I am! More »

Loco Roco Soundtrack Is For Loopy Sadists

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 04:10:23 EDT

The Sony Japan folks buttered us up with some cool Loco Roco swag, including that brand new artbook-cum-strategy guide (with stickers!) that we're testing out with my copy of the game, and the soon to be released full Loco Roco soundtrack. More »

TGS06: A Guide To LocoRoco

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 11:22:17 EDT

After the LocoRoco interview, game creator Tsutomo Kouno was kind enough to pass along a copy of the LocoRoco Guide Book, which went on sale today. The book features hints and pointers on how to tear through the game. Best of all, there are two pages of LocoRoco stickers! Schweet. Hit the jump for more details. Brian Ashcraft More »

TG06: Loco Roco Dev On Game Design, Racism, Snowboarding

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 09:01:55 EDT

Ashcraft and I trekked over to Sony Computer Entertainment to pick the brain of Tsutomu Kouno, senior designer of Loco Roco. After some wacky scheduling mix-up hijinks, we were escorted to the Yasuda building and led into our waiting area. We were then quickly booted out. More »