1UP: SCE Debuts New EyeToy Games For Japan

Though EyeToy: Play didn't quite blow the doors off when it debuted in Japan earlier this year, Sony Computer Entertainment is steaming ahead regardless with new games for the PlayStation 2 digital-camera peripheral. While Konami and Bandai both prepare third-party offerings, Sony has two titles of its own for the Japanese market, Impress Game Watch reports today..

In addition to a Japanese version of EyeToy: Groove, Sony today unveiled Saru EyeToy, a party board game featuring the mischievous monkeys of the Ape Escape series -- called "Sarugetchu" in Japan.

Like Play, it's a collection of about 30 simple mini-games, but they're mini-games with goofy monkeys in them, which is an obvious improvement on the original game. Players can race through a series of hurdles, battle in a monkey weight-lifting contest or style a monkey's Afro hairdo in competitions for up to four participants, picking new games with the spin of a roulette wheel. Saru EyeToy has no official release date as yet.

As for EyeToy: Groove, its original title is obviously much too simple for the Japanese market. Instead, SCE is going right overboard and renaming it EyeToy Furi Furi Dance Tengoku, and throwing in a completely new song selection besides.

The Japanese version of the game, due for release June 24, will feature several Japanese pop hits and songs drawn from popular kids' TV shows -- Doraemon, Anpanman, Kamen Rider, Dragon Ball. On the other hand, it still has plenty of western tunes as well, including Kool and the Gang's "Jungle Boogie," the dance remix of Elvis Presley's "A Little Less Conversation," and Jamiroquai's "Canned Heat."

Both of these titles will no doubt remain curiosities for import fans, but Saru EyeToy would no doubt prove a fine addition to a discerning gamer's library. We'll look out for more news of the game soon.