And it's pretty cool how quickly you can identify with a specific Roco. You start off with a basic one, happy and orange, but as you continue your quest, new ones will join you. There's a female one with a soothing French voice; a happy 70's-like blob who has a thing for funk; and a hobo-like blob that's happy-go-lucky. As you proceed, they'll notify you of different things, like food, hidden items, and dangers. You can hear the panic in their voices as you approach one of the deadly Moja or a spike. Hit one of these dangers, and a "dead" Roco bounces around, hopeful to get recollected before it vanishes. If you lose a Roco, you hear their death cry, and it's almost heartbreaking.

I've mentioned the Loco Roco House a few times, so let me talk about it. As you go through the game, you're awarded certain house parts, which you can then take to a large dwelling. Here, you can build their house however you see fit. It doesn't really do much in terms of gameplay, but it allows you to show some devotion for these creatures, and the combinations you build with the Loco Editor are countless. Plus, you can share them with others and show off your building skills- or lack thereof.

For those who aren't architecturally sound, there's other bonus features as well. There are two mini-games you can play with your gathered points. Chuppa Chuppa is a golf-style game where you launch your Roco into a certain area to earn bonuses. But what I really enjoy is the Mui Mui Crane Challenge, where you use an arcade-style crane to collect new Rocos or skill points. It can be rather tricky, though- this isn't a very reliable crane. Still, it's fun. And the game allows others to download trial levels, so they can see what all the fuss is about. (Plus it'll explain that big, stupid grin on your face.)

Loco Roco's only real downfall is that the gameplay doesn't really change at all. Like I said, it's easy to get into, and numerous abilities are useful, ranging from your own break-up skills to the power of an anteater-like cannon. Aside from a few tricks within the level design, you don't do much past that. But then again, you don't really have to. What's here is very, very enjoyable.

Loco Roco is probably one of the more entertaining game experiences I've run into this year, a delightful little affair that deserves more than one play-through. The graphics and sound are in a league of their own, and the extras are plentiful, even though there isn't a full-scale versus mode with Roco versus Roco. Oh, well, these things are so happy, I can't see them fighting anyhow. Unless you're a scrooge, a curmudgeon, or a grumpy editor-in-chief, do not miss Loco Roco.