[PSP] Loco Roco (PSP)

Originally Posted by 1up imbecile.

With all the buzz over the upcoming LocoRoco, it's hard to find many faults. It has a quirky Japanese culture theme a la the Katamari Damacy series, along with simple gameplay mechanics that even mom and dad could pick up on. Throw in colorful and vibrant Samurai Jack/Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends esque graphics for the game's cast and a killer original soundtrack and you have an amazing recipe for success. Seemingly, the only thing that could ruin this game is poor execution in game design, which anyone who has played the demo or previewed the game can tell you, is not the case. For a game that 1up.com's Sam Kennedy claims is the "happiest game ever made", and one that could easily be aligned with Nintendo's Touch Generations, what could possibly be wrong?

I want to say this game is going to be perfect. I want the game industry to see that this is just one of many examples of how to make an original game that people are naturally going to want to play and love instead of using some business model of making games that only need to be marketed to sell.

But alas, there's one thing that sticks out about this game that's too hard to simply overlook. Likewise, if this example is ignored now, where does the buck stop? And what the hell could I possibly be talking about?

Why Racism, of course.

First, let's make a couple things clear before we go on. For those of you who think that racism is simply not liking someone because of the color of their skin, you've simply just heard of the rabbit hole. For those of you who would go so far as to label me as a racist for making an issue of this? 1) see the point I just made and 2) we're talking about issues of race that have been so deeply set in our minds from the things around us (TV, media, print, news, role models, crime, EVERYTHING) that for many people it is extremely difficult to call these things out. This is racism to the point where it's so disguised and not addressed that as a society we tend to think it's ok when in reality it detrimentally affects the way we and others think about ourselves and each other.

How does all of this relate to LocoRoco? First examine exhibit A. These are the Moja Corps, the main antagonist of the LocoRocos. From Sony's official LocoRoco game page: "The peaceful world of the LocoRoco are under attack by the not-so-nice Moja Corps! These evil outer space creatures have come to take the LocoRoco from their land of blowing flowers, lively creatures and pastel scenery."

Exhibit A: "Shake Them Dreads"



Seems harmless enough.

However, consider exhibit B. Here we have an image taken from wikipedia.org's entry for blackface.

Exhibit B: Golliwogg the doll



Need I say more? (and i'm not trying to point out copyright infringement)

In short, the blackface originates from traveling minstrel shows in early 20th century America that mainly involved white individuals who would paint their faces Black and act out common negative stereotypes of Black people, creating a racist caricature. In response to a significant Black population in the US, these images were later deemed taboo and for the most part, these days, rarely appear in popular culture unless as a satire or critque of racism and race relations. Today in virutally any public sphere in the US, a depiction of a blackface character is not met without much murmurings and harsh criticism.

In comparison, some countries such as Japan (where LocoRoco was developed) do not have significant Black populations and so Blackface images can come about without any criticsm. The images are also then okay to be labeled as the enemy or even serve as representations of Black characters in general, despite the racist images they perpetuate. That and I hear that Japan is just a very racist culture. Otakus please open your minds for a bit.

Furthermore, one could also equate the "invasion" of the Moja and the fleeing of the LocoRoco's to Black slaves being brought to America and the very common practice of today of white flight; but we're not even going to go there.

I'm not accusing the developers of being racist, nor am I accusing LocoRoco of being a racist game. I simply hope believe that this is a product of unchecked institutionalized racism that need's calling out.

A perfect example of this scenario can be seen with Capcom's recent PSP update of the original Mega Man, Mega Man Powered Up.

Consider exhibit C and D. In exhibit C we have the original Japanese version of the tar-baby boss Oilman which fits a very simillar description to our Moja Troop. Exhibit D is the altered American version where the black skin has been changed to blue, and the red lips are now a non-offensive yellow.

*note, C & D were blown up from smaller pictures, hence the poor quality and the fading of the colors.

Exhibits C and D: No muss, no fuss



Exhibit C-2: "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay"



To bring this all back to LocoRoco, I propose a simillar color pallete change (dosen't have to be the same colors) to the Moja troop. Never would I dream of having Sony not release this amazing, original product stateside, but I do feel these racist undertones, whether intentional or not, would stop me as well as others from fully enjoying this game. Almost every article on this game praises the bejeebus out of it, but does no one notice what i've pointed out?



When interviewed by 1up.com, creator Tsutomu Kouno said that he "really focused on creating a happy game because there's too many 3D shooting games, killing people and stuff." I very much so want to believe in this man's philosophy behind his game but why is it that this "feeling comfortable game" makes me feel so edgy?

Review OF THE YEAR. I don't know what to say, really. I remember there was another review of a game a couple of centuries back, which mentioned the "racist intentions" hidden inside (or what they thought were hidden inside) a game. I just think this is overboard.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

It's really cute. I wonder what the music will be like in other levels though. :'3

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Best review ever. We all know that the Japanese is among the most racist people on Earth. Who can forget :nigger: from Square's Tom Saywer?
*sigh*

Anyway, I've play through the game now. Not to worry, I've not nearly completed it, just played through the levels. I must say, the ice levels and the ones where you flick through giant beings are my favorites. The ice levels gives me speed thrills similar to Sonic.
I love the Locos and their individual voices. The French sounding purple one, the Italian blue one and the black one. All hilarious and the music is precious. If you haven't already bought it, do it. One of the best games on PSP, if not the best.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Agreed, the music is wonderful. Just as I was starting to wish the levels would end already, I finished the last stage and end credits song is the best thing I've heard in months. Well worth playing through the game just to hear it.

That, and the red Loco's KUNA KUNAA voice <3

I was speaking idiomatically.

I absolutely love the demo of this game, and can't wait to get the full game whenever it is released in the US. Last I saw it's in September, right?

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

This is definitely THE killer must-have PSP title for me along with Every Extend Extra. The music is just gorgeous and the graphics style makes me smile like a kid who took two cookies from the jar when he could only have one.
I've only played it for a short time so I can't say if the gameplay is challenging later or, what I played seemed a bit too easy to me.

Anyway, I just had to chime in with much love for this title.

EDIT: And Japan is the racist capital of the world, but to say they are racist because they use blackface imagery is utterly missing the mark. He is also completely wrong about the intention and focus of blackface entertainment in general, but arguing it would take more effort than I am willing to expend.

FELIPE NO

I played the demo and I loved it, its a simple yet challenging game. And those bloody Locorocos are so damn cute!

Will anyone be ripping out the music from the game when its release in the US?

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I actually toyed with the idea of ripping the tunes from the Loco playground... Might do it if enough people was interested.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Anyone played this fully? I just got it as a rental, and this game just cracks me up. The music is catchy, the game is just.... funny.

How ya doing, buddy?

Well, played through all the levels, but not completed it. Too many of them blue men and berries to find. I still try, though.
Anyone played the Christmas demo? I'm wondering if I should take it for a spin...

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I dont have the game, but i have the Halloween Demo, and I am very impressed with this game. It is just a flat out 'fun' game that is positive and happy. It reminds me of the good ol' days of when I played Sonic The Hedgehog. That innocent, fun time you know? I definitely wanna buy this game

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?