LocoRoco 2

🎮 Overview

• Title: LocoRoco 2

• Platform: PlayStation Portable (PSP)

• Developer: Japan Studio (SCE Japan Studio)

• Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

• Release Dates:

  • Japan: December 4, 2008

  • North America & Europe: February 2009

• Genre: Platformer / Puzzle / Music

• Mode: Single-player

🌈 Concept and Theme

LocoRoco 2 is the colorful, musical sequel to the 2006 hit LocoRoco, expanding on its unique concept of rolling, bouncing, and singing blob-like creatures called LocoRocos through vibrant, hand-drawn worlds.

The game’s tone is joyful and whimsical, blending platforming with rhythm and physics-based mechanics. Rather than directly controlling the LocoRocos, you tilt and shake the entire world to move them — making it one of the PSP’s most innovative control experiences.

🧭 Story

Peace has returned to the planet after the defeat of the evil Moja Troop in the first game. The LocoRocos live happily, singing and dancing under the sun.

However, the Mojas are back, led by Bonmucho, who has created a new dark song that infects the planet and steals its life energy. The LocoRocos must once again set out to restore their world’s harmony, purify the land, and bring music back to life.

You, as the planet itself (Mother Earth), help guide the LocoRocos on their quest to save their home.

🎨 Gameplay Mechanics

The gameplay builds on the core mechanics of the first LocoRoco, with many new features and improvements:

🌍 World Movement

• Instead of controlling the LocoRoco directly, you tilt the planet using the PSP’s shoulder buttons:

  • L Button: tilt left

  • R Button: tilt right

  • L + R together: make the LocoRoco jump

• You can also split and merge your LocoRoco blob using the Circle button, dividing it into smaller pieces to squeeze through tight spaces or solve puzzles.

🎵 Collectibles and Growth

• The LocoRoco grow by eating fruit scattered throughout the levels. Each fruit adds one to their number (up to 20 per level).

• Collect hidden Pickories (flower-shaped currency) and Muimui (tiny blue creatures) to unlock mini-games, house decorations, and secret challenges.

⚔️ Enemies and Obstacles

• The returning Moja Troop and their new leader’s dark song threaten the LocoRocos.

• You’ll also encounter environmental hazards, like spikes, water currents, and rolling rocks, requiring clever use of momentum and timing.

🪗 New Abilities

• Each colored LocoRoco now has unique abilities and songs.

  • LocoRoco Yellow (Kulche): can swim and move through water currents.

  • LocoRoco Red (Peke): stronger against enemies.

  • LocoRoco Blue (Priff): can bounce higher.

  • Others offer singing or environmental powers used in puzzle-solving.

• The music and rhythm minigames are more involved, allowing you to play melodies and interact with other creatures through songs.

🏠 Muimui House and Mini-Games

Your progress unlocks and expands the Muimui House, a home base where you can:

• Build rooms and decorate them using items collected during your adventure.

• Interact with Muimui characters.

• Play mini-games such as:

  • BuiBui Fort: defend against waves of enemies.

  • Loco Stamp: a rhythm-based stamp game.

  • Chuppa Chase: a flying challenge through obstacle courses.

These side activities add replay value and variety beyond the main levels.

🌿 World Design and Aesthetic

• The game features over 25 stages, each with its own theme — forests, icy caves, underwater levels, musical temples, and deserts — all bursting with color and movement.

• Every level pulses in time with the soundtrack, blending gameplay and music seamlessly.

• The art style is 2D and minimalist, with bold shapes, soft edges, and bright colors — perfectly suited for the PSP’s screen.

🎶 Music and Sound

One of LocoRoco 2’s defining traits is its dynamic soundtrack, sung by the LocoRocos themselves in a fictional language.

• Each color of LocoRoco sings differently, giving the game a playful personality.

• Music responds to player actions — jumping, splitting, and eating fruits all add to the rhythm.

• The soundtrack was composed by Nobuyuki Shimizu, featuring catchy, upbeat, and occasionally haunting tunes.

🧩 Progression and Replay Value

• After finishing levels, you can replay them to find hidden items and perfect scores.

• The game also features secret passages, alternate routes, and bonus stages.

• Collecting Muimui unlocks customization items, while finding all Pickories in each stage challenges completionists.

✅ Highlights

• Intuitive tilt-and-jump control system perfectly suited for handheld play.

• Joyful music and personality-filled characters.

• Creative level design with environmental puzzles and rhythm elements.

• Expanded variety over the first LocoRoco — more content, mini-games, and collectables.

• A heartwarming story of nature, music, and harmony.

⚠️ Minor Drawbacks

• Relatively short campaign (5–6 hours for main story).

• No multiplayer features.

• Some players find the control scheme (tilt-based movement) takes getting used to.

🌟 Summary

LocoRoco 2 for PSP is a charming and imaginative platformer that turns simplicity into art. With its joyful world, infectious music, and innovative controls, it remains one of the PSP’s most iconic and beloved exclusives.

It’s both relaxing and challenging — a perfect blend of rhythm, physics, and creativity, wrapped in a feel-good package that appeals to all ages.