Patapon Marches Its Way on to PSP

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) announced today the release of Patapon, available exclusively for PSP (PlayStation Portable). Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, Japan Studio, Patapon is a 2D platform-action game that transforms players into a drum-wielding leader responsible for guiding the Patapons, a small, quirky tribe of warriors seeking to reclaim their homeland. Following on the heels of a successful launch in Japan, Patapon makes its official North American debut featuring a one-of-a-kind art style, infectious music, and a unique control system where players will issue real-time commands to the Patapon troops through a variety of rhythm-based combinations. Patapon will be available at an MSRP of $19.99.

"Bringing together such disparate elements as musical beats, action, and

strategy into one package, Patapon is a ground-breaking game that demonstrates

our efforts to bring continued innovation to PSP," said Jeff Reese, director,

software marketing, SCEA. "At $20, Patapon is a tremendous value that offers

loads of original gameplay. The game's colorful design and rhythm-based

controls are just the tip of the iceberg as players learn to manage a much

deeper system of customization and strategy."

For years the Patapon tribe has lived in the desolate frontier, driven

from their home by the evil Zigoton army. Behind the Patapons' cute exterior,

lies a fierce warrior spirit that can only be commanded by the beat of the war

drums. They wait for the day a leader will emerge to wield the drums, guiding

the Patapons in battle against their enemies and helping them to reach the far

end of the world.

In Patapon, players will encounter a unique style of gameplay that blends

rhythm and action, where various combinations of drumbeats are used to command

the Patapons to march, retreat, attack, defend, charge, and use magic. The

game presents a variety of warrior types, along with a wide selection of

weapons and shield upgrades, allowing each player to customize their Patapon

army and strategize for each mission. Using character designs by popular

French graphic artist Rolito, who also served as chief artist for the game,

Patapon brings a distinctive and colorful art style.

Set among a variety of vivid 2D backgrounds, Patapon unfolds through more

than 30 missions where players are tasked with outfitting a Patapon army,

collecting resources, and using strategy to grow the tribe into a devastating

fighting force. Incorporating various button-timed drumbeats in real-time to

control the Patapons, players will strategically traverse through each

environment, battling the Zigoton enemies as well as larger than life boss

creatures each step of the way. The game presents a variety of warrior types

such as archers, infantry, cavalry, and more that players can unlock, along

with a wide selection of more than 100 weapon and shield upgrades, allowing

players to customize their forces throughout the funky adventure.

Additionally, Patapon features five unique music-based mini-games where

players will earn items to create stronger and faster Patapons, leading to a

more dynamic Patapon army overall.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rates Patapon

"E" for "Everyone" (Descriptor: Mild Cartoon Violence). For more information

about the ESRB, visit http://www.esrb.org. For more information about

Patapon, visit http://www.pataponpsp.com.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the

entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation and PS one game console,

the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the PSP

(PlayStation Portable) handheld entertainment system, the ground-breaking

PlayStation 3 (PS3) computer entertainment system, and its online and

network services the PlayStation Network and PlayStation Store.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment

America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops,

publishes, markets, and distributes software for the PS one game console, the

PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the PSP system and the PS3 system

for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer

Entertainment America, Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American

operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment

Inc.

©2008-02-26, IGN Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved