LocoRoco

Tilt the world to the left, tilt it to the right, and a round yellow creature rolls off toward adventure with a merry sing-song. LocoRoco from 2006 is one of the loveliest and most playful games ever to come out on PSP. Here Sony once again bet on an original idea instead of a safe sure thing, and it paid off.

What's ingenious above all are the controls. You don't move the character directly but tilt the whole world, using the shoulder buttons. LocoRoco then rolls along with gravity, gathers more pieces of itself and grows into a bigger blob, which a button can split into tiny individuals and then merge back together. From this simple principle arises a little game that is at once a platformer and a puzzle game — and above all incredibly accessible.

The visuals are pure joy. Richly colored, rounded shapes, cute creatures and a world that looks like a children's book come to life. To this belongs the catchy, sung soundtrack in an invented language that will probably lodge itself in your head for days. The atmosphere is carefree and infectiously cheerful.

In development terms it was another of the flagship authored titles with which Sony built the PSP's identity as a console not just for big licenses but also for imaginative, playful experiments. Alongside Patapon, LocoRoco became a symbol of the more original side of what the handheld offered.

Culturally the game earned a reputation as one of the most likable titles of its time. It's an experience that works across ages and gaming experience, because it builds on the simple joy of movement, colors and music. Few games can conjure a smile so easily.

Why play: A delightful, original platformer where you tilt the whole world. Colors, music and pure playfulness — ideal relaxation for everyone.