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The official Japanese LocoRoco 2 site has opened, and it includes the very first screenshots of the recently announced sequel. Unsurprisingly, the new LocoRoco looks exactly like the original. For those that were captivated by the charming style of the first game, that's far from a bad thing. Those that play close attention will see some of the LocoRoco's abilities (like swimming, pictured above). Stay tuned, because a game as big as this one will obviously garner a lot of attention.

While LocoRoco 2 was only officially announced yesterday, it's been in development for quite some time. According to Famitsu (via 1UP), the title is already 75% complete. The sequel will feature the return of the original's Moja Troop, but this time they have some tricks up their sleeves. They'll be after the adorable LocoRocos with the power of music. Uh-oh! "The Moja Troop are back with some new bosses, but this time they've also learned some songs," director Tsutomu Kouno says. "They've been practicing as hard as they can, and they've learned how to use music to sap the energy out of everyone. Now nobody feels like doing anything, so the LocoRoco have to go around the world and pep everyone back up again."

According to Kouno, the game will retain the same simplistic charm of the original. "We've tried our best not to change the core gameplay too much," he says. "We're being careful to keep it from getting too complex, and in addition to that, we're putting in lots of new features for people who played the first game to enjoy." But, expect new moves, such as the ability to go underwater and the ability to bite things.

Will we get to play it at E3? We hope so. Sony plans on showing new PSP games at E3, undoubtedly. This would be an ideal candidate.

The latest issue of Famitsu (via PSPHype) reveals a sequel to Patapon is in the works and coming to Japanese PSPs this Winter (no US or Europe release mentioned). The game is being developed by Pyramid Studios, who made the previous game and LocoRoco. The magazine also has a two-page spread of LocoRoco 2, although gives no release date for any region. No matter how many times you shout pata-pata-pata-pon, the game won't get here any faster.

[Via PSP Fanboy; Image via Penny Arcade]

In an interview with MCV, Sony Europe UK's product manager, Claire Backhouse, said the company is planning to release LocoRoco 2 for PSP "this year." A LocoRoco follow-up has been rolling under the radar since late last July when series' director Tsutomu Kouno confirmed plans for a true sequel. We're currently trying to clarify with Sony if "this year" means this calendar year or Sony's fiscal year (ending March 2009).

Update: Sony informs us it has not distributed any news regarding LocoRoco 2 so it can't "confirm," or in this case clarify, anything. "Stay tuned for more details."

[Via PSP Fanboy]

The only issue with our subject line is that we can't discern the context of "this year", as quoted by SCE UK's product manager Claire Backhouse, when it comes to the release of LocoRoco 2. In addition to talking about the busy summer ahead for the PSP, whether it be increased incorporation with the PS3 and Remote Play, or the new Go!Range set of utilities adding GPS and voice video calling among other things. She says that "The key software titles we have coming out this year for PSP include Echochrome, Buzz The Master Quiz, Secret Agent Clank and LocoRoco 2." Whether this means 2008 or the fiscal year which ends at the end of March 2009, we don't know. But expect an announcement soon for your favorite rolling blob.

Those silly balloon creatures in Loco Roco are doing more than their usual passive in-game combining and dividing -- they're taking those skills and teaching kids how to do it for themselves. Wait, before you get confused, we don't mean kids are attaching themselves to one another to make one giant kid ... we mean that the Loco Roco are actively teaching kids all about multiplication, division, and basic arithmetic. Don't get any funny ideas.

While the actual Loco Roco game isn't used in the classroom, its characters are presented in visual aids. According to Famitsu, this unique way of teaching mathematics to children has been done recently at an elementary school in Chiba, Japan. The next class? Physics 101 with Dragon Ball Z.

It's great to see the Loco Roco helping out with what they do best, and we can't wait to see this become a fully institutionalized part of the teaching curriculum. Maybe, someday. It's also nice knowing that the PSP is becoming more and more edu-friendly.

Though we haven't had a look at the final packaging just yet, Sony has given us an excellent idea as to what Patapon's back-of-the-box bullet points might say:

• Intriguing and utterly unique blend of strategy and rhythm gameplay!
• From the creators of the critically acclaimed LocoRoco!
• Bizarre, yet entirely endearing art style!
• Costs a mere $19.99!
• "Excellent" -- Joystiq, 21 Jan. 2008

Sony hopes that the lower price point will push Patapon to a broader audience, one perhaps unswayed by the unusual gameplay and our glowing, out-of-context recommendation. It's a wise move that also favors those of us already keen on rhythmically conquering the lands of Patapon.