Sample Lab! store: Sony Japan gives players a taste of Patapon

Sony is cranking up the beat as it gives players in Japan a chance to test drive their upcoming puzzle platformer Patapon. In a small shop in Tokyo, Sample Lab! allows players to hook up their PSP and have them try out the game. The shop is members-exclusive only, though, so you’ll have to get on Sony’s good side if you want to sample this quirky rhythm game.

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Sony is cranking up the beat as it gives players in Japan a chance to test drive their upcoming puzzle platformer Patapon. In a small shop in Tokyo, Sample Lab! allows players to hook up their PSP and have them try out the game. The shop is members-exclusive only, though, so you’ll have to get on Sony’s good side if you want to sample this quirky rhythm game.

Taking a look at the screenshots below, the simplistic design of the characters and the stages definitely takes it roots from the game developers’ previous title Loco Roco. Even the gameplay is reminiscent of Loco Roco‘s unique puzzle-like style, where players follow a quirky beat taken from the title’s name to traverse through the game’s many stages.

In any case, the game is slated for a Japanese release date this December 20 and is priced at JY 4,980 a pop (around US$ 43). There’s been no word as to a local release, but if the game is just as fun as its predecessor then it shouldn’t be too long before gamers in North America will be going “pata-pon” too.