LocoRoco's soundtrack retains its cutesy charisma and is as catchy the hundredth time as it is on the first listen. These extra touches don't impact gameplay, and you're never required to keep time, but you'll return to the level's slightly more subdued ambient theme if you misjudge a bounce or take damage from an enemy. In addition to providing extra points, a successful run of boing includes visual and aural rewards with vibrant-coloured trails following your character, as well as instrumental flourishes in the music. The timing window to trigger your next bounce is generous, while the mechanic adds a strategic element by forcing you to bet on the accuracy of your landing, as well as the fastest path to complete the level.
Used to bounce off walls or onto ledges in the environment, boing can grant access to hidden and otherwise inaccessible areas filled with bonus items, as well as act as a temporary speed boost as you travel through narrow channels throughout the levels. Starting a new jump as you hit the ground initiates the new "Boing!" system, making your next jump higher and awarding a score bonus that increases the length of time you're able to maintain the rhythm.
But for the first time, you're now able to perform a series of bounces to improve your speed and the heights you can reach. Like in previous LocoRoco games, tapping the L and R buttons simultaneously causes your character to jump. The next level is unlocked by completing the one preceding it. Along the way, you collect objects that help increase your score, aid your survivability, and serve as currency to purchase rewards from the in-game store. Regardless of whether you're a rolling veteran or a first-time LocoRoco toe-dipper, the basics are simple: Use the PlayStation Portable's shoulder buttons to tilt the world left or right, steering your amorphous blob toward the finish line and avoiding environmental hazards. Midnight Carnival is much darker than LocoRoco's bright outdoor environments. But while this latest instalment keeps the foundation of the series intact, new gameplay mechanics, darker themes, and tougher difficulty make LocoRoco: Midnight Carnival much less accessible. This has included a simple-but-charming art style, world-rotating gameplay, and an infectious soundtrack. Since bursting out of the rainbow, kitten, and smile factory, the LocoRoco series has kept its identity firmly rooted in cute, family-friendly fun.