"Wow! What an enormous tree!"

Small, smiling spherical bundles of joy, LocoRoco are the latest addition to gaming's growing group of high-profile cutesy characters. Starring in their first self-titled outing on PSP, Sony's gelatinous globules join the likes of Worms, Lemmings and Pikmin as instantly recognisable icons in the making, embodying everything good, great and fun about current handheld gaming.

Of course, plenty will scoff at such neon-coloured nonsense. And admittedly, LocoRoco isn't one of those titles that pushes the PSP's polygon power or sets its scene in a grimy, downtrodden dystopia of a gameworld. Indeed, as a purely 2D, side-scrolling puzzle-platformer, it's an erudite example of gaming that we're more used to seeing on the DS. However, against the more action-oriented PSP library, it could easily end up an undiscovered gem.

And that would be a real shame, as anyone who can't see past the cartoon front-end and oddball game mechanics will really be missing out. LocoRoco is simply one of those games that exist purely to exude fun, and can quite easily lay claim to the tag of the PSPs best release so far this year.

Simplicity is an oft-underappreciated aspect of videogame control schemes these days, especially on the multi-buttoned, analogue-nubbed PSP - and here LocoRoco is instantly refreshing. You start each level with a single small grinning blob and manoeuvre it not with the D-pad or analogue nub, but with a sort of Monkeyball control philosophy; tilting the screen to move the gameworld with the left and right triggers. Round as the LocoRoco are, they'll roll in whatever direction the screen leans, with both triggers pressed together making them jump. It's unbelievably easy to get the hang of, which makes for an immediately pick-up-and-play experience.

Like the controls, the objective for just about every level in LocoRoco is basic in the most brilliant of ways; in the finest stylings of Sonic, Mario et al, you simply guide your LocoRoco from left to right, making your way to the end of the level in the fastest time possible. However, it's not quite as simple as that - as you go you'll be chomping on red plants to increase the number of LocoRoco in your blob, seeking to find all the fruit and hidden LocoRoco to end the level with the maximum 20 little critters in your clump - while striving to grab as many of the other collectables as possible along the way.

A worthy comparison.

The comparison to Sonic is especially evident; not only are there your basic collectables - in this case, unnamed floating pink circles (a lot like Sonic's gold rings) - but several other hidden objects to look out for, from little charcoal guys known as MuiMui to individual pieces of a house (more on that later). Moreover, level design carries a fair few 2D Sonic hallmarks - not only will your LocoRoco be slip-sliding down slopes, through shoots and tunnels, and along on-rails sections at some intense speeds, but will negotiate springs, moving platforms, jump chasms, bounce on buttons and even bash the odd smoke-coloured enemy that floats their way.

Where LocoRoco raises the bar from any remotely similar title, is in presentation. It's the very embodiment of charm in every aspect of the aesthetic - vibrant visuals, magical melodies and delightful character design. They may be nothing more than coloured blobs, but the LocoRoco themselves are lovable little creatures you'll want to protect and cherish.

When the LocoRoco reach a tunnel too thin for their globular form, they'll break down at the press of the circle button with a frightened yelp, then collect together again afterwards using the same button with a gleefully childlike chant of 'jooooiiiin'. When they reach a dead-end, providing you've collected enough LocoRoco they'll split up and sing - yes, sing - the most hypnotic of head-bobbing harmonies you ever did hear. When one gets eaten by a vile and despicable black floating Mojas, you really will feel its loss. It's an effortlessly charismatic fiction that makes you feel warm and fuzzy with every play. More games should be like this.

Sadly, it's not the longest of games - the forty levels are all pretty short, and if item collecting isn't your thing, can be whizzed through in a matter of minutes each. Yet we'd dare say there's not many gamers who would dare deny themselves the pleasure of playing LocoRoco the way it was intended. There's a special type of joy at timing an awkward jump from an ungainly wobbling precipice to nab that last piece of fruit on the level, or at finding each and every collectable up for grabs. The type of joy reserved for a kid on Christmas Day. It really is that special.

There's also slew of minigames to unlock, but these are only a small part of the reward for completists, since LocoRoco is itself a joy to play. There are five different types of LocoRoco, all with their own characteristics and everyone will have their favourites for different reasons. When they yelp, you'll wince; when they sing, you'll smile, when they smile, you'll cheer - you can even build a virtual home for the spherical scamps, or snap away with the odd addition of a photo mode. And don't forget to treat your PSP-owning friends to the game-sharing demo. Spread a little joy this summer - it would be rude not to.

Honestly, there's little more to say. You've now got everything you need to know in order to feel happy adding LocoRoco to your collection; it's an enchanting, entertaining and ever-delightful puzzle platformer you'll never get tired of playing. Seriously, what are you waiting for?

GAME's Verdict

• Simplicity itself in the most effortlessly fun game of the year - the PERFECT portable title.
• Charming to the core.
• Wonderfully designed, well-paced and instantly playable. We'll weep if you don't play it.

• Forty levels? A few minutes each? We want MORE!
• Unlockables and bonus modes are a bit lightweight.
• Not your gritty, grimy GTA type of game. Doesn't appeal? Your loss. Seriously.

Review by: Mark Scott
Version Tested: PSP
Review Published: 20.07.06