PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) Icon Makes Its Rolling Return With LocoRoco™2

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) announced today the North American release of LocoRoco™2, available exclusively for the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system. Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, Japan Studio, LocoRoco™2 is the follow up to the original LocoRoco™ released in 2006 for PSP, an iconic and award-winning 2D platform/action game that was applauded for its universal art style, "feel good factor" and innovative "tilt and roll gameplay." LocoRoco 2 allows players to use the PSP system's shoulder buttons to "tilt" the game's colorful and quirky world and help guide the LocoRoco through vibrant story-driven levels filled with new gameplay elements. These elements include swimming under water, swinging on vines and leaping inside shells to smash through obstacles. LocoRoco 2 will retail for $19.99.

LocoRoco 2 introduces a set of new mini-games as well as multi-player functionality to the franchise with wireless ad hoc play so up to four nearby players can enjoy playing together. Additionally, players will encounter unlockable quests and new interactive musical mini-games that emphasize the catchy soundtrack and unlock bonuses like stamp sheets that can be used as wallpaper for PSP.

"LocoRoco 2's charming characters, vibrant environments and new gameplay elements appeal to franchise fans and newcomers alike," said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President, product marketing, SCEA. "LocoRoco 2's joyous spirit and infectious music is a perfect escape for players on the go."

Inspired by Game Director Tsutomu Kouno's fascination with oil and water in classic toys, the LocoRoco franchise's simplified 2D graphic style is paired with complex physics so these blobs of joy fluidly morph and respond to the environment in engaging ways.

About the gameplay in LocoRoco 2

Featuring uniquely simple controls primarily using the PSP system's "L" and "R" shoulder buttons, LocoRoco tasks players with controlling the game world by "tilting" the landscape and "bumping" the LocoRoco in order to help them navigate through each level, collecting others to grow the LocoRoco and keep them out of harm's way. In LocoRoco 2, each of the seven LocoRoco types has their own voices and personalities, as well as their own enchanting theme songs that capture the happy creatures' colorful world. Bonus features include mini-games, Stamp Collecting Mode, and the MuiMui House, a customizable playhouse with dozens of collectibles throughout the game.

About the story in LocoRoco 2

Having triumphed over the invasion of the Moja army corps, the LocoRoco have been living happily on their joyous planet. Unwilling to concede defeat, the boss (Bommucho) of the Moja army ran back to his home world and started preparations for a new attack, helped by his cunning mother. They came up with a new plan, and a new weapon: a terrible song that can suck the life-force out of living things. Armed with this brutal song, the Moja boarded their meteorite and set off on a mission to conquer the LocoRoco planet. Can the LocoRoco protect their planet from this new terrible weapon?

To obtain video, artwork and additional information for LocoRoco 2, please visit Sony Computer Entertainment America's online press center:

  http://presscenter.playstation.com/
  username - SCEA
  password - SC3APR

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated LocoRoco 2 "E" for "Everyone." For more information about the ESRB, visit www.esrb.org.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system and its online and network services the PlayStation®Network and PlayStation®Store.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets, and distributes software for the PS one, PlayStation 2, PSP and PS3 for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

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PLAYSTATION, PlayStation and PSP are registered trademarks and PS3 is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc

Memory Stick is a trademark of Sony Corporation.

LocoRoco is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (c) 2006 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

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SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

CONTACT: Scott Goryl, +1-858-824-5792, Scott_Goryl@playstation.sony.com,
or Ron Eagle, +1-858-824-5585, Ron_Eagle@playstation.sony.com, both of Sony
Computer Entertainment America Inc.