LittleBigPlanet PS3 is (unofficially) 10 Years Old Today

Kapryov · Oct 21, 2018

I got to try this game briefly back in the day, but the controls really put me off. Still an amazing accomplishment due to the flexibility of the level creator though!
I'm a little surprised to find out the online is still active though, you'd think they'd have moved onto LBP2 at least.

Jazar · Oct 21, 2018

I was just thinking about this game today and really think it was one of the most amazing achievements. It was not polished but it had such a great joyous quality. Just playing with random people or trying out various homemade levels was always a fun surprise.

Zukkoyaki · Oct 21, 2018

One of my favorite games ever! Everything about it oozes fun and joy. I had such a great time playing through the campaign alone and with friends. The creation tools were a bit too much for me at the time but I still loved playing the community levels.

famikon · Oct 21, 2018

I remember that I imported my copy from VGP (only because didn't like EU box art), and later it became one of my most played game on PS3. Racing mini-games was such a fun.

Also, I think this is the only game where I spent a lot of money on additional content. Those costumes were so cute :)

Evilisk · Oct 21, 2018

Oh God, I cannot believe it's already been 10 years. (Warning: incoming gush post)

LBP1 will always have a special place in my heart. Back in 2007/8 I wasn't really using my PS3 for much, but LBP was like the turning point for me personally. I was mad hype about LBP because of the user creation aspect (I was in a "crazy about being creative" phase and dabbled in all sorts of things like writing, drawing, music, graphic design etc. so it basically was being released at the perfect time for me).

When it released, I played so much of it with my siblings (I think it might have honestly been the last game we played together in co-op). Most of it was the campaign and unlocking all the pre-made items, but the game really opened up for us when we got to the online (I think it was my first online experience too on the PS3). Was just absolutely blown away by folks making like, homages to other games (like Bioshock and Dead Space), playing these musical levels and I was super impressed by this fully operational tank level. I really wanted to make my own levels, I even drew a few concepts / stage layouts but ended up quitting. I did settle for making bungee jump levels though (I'd put a black matter platform real high in a level, attach some elastic to sponge, tweak the settings and then I'd have Sackboy grab and jump all the way down. It was amusing enough).

Game really was the turning point for me with the PS3. I started to pay way more attention to other incoming titles, and I remember shortly after I got into inFamous, the Ratchet future titles, ModNation Racers, Resistance etc. I was only using the PS3 before that point to watch DVDs or replay PS2 games, but LBP in my mind is synonymous with the period where PS3 started to become a really amazing console (to me)

With the rest of the series, I just kinda lost interest after LBP1. I was super hype about LBP2, and even snagged a free PS+ trial so I could play it. It was fine, but I just never went back to it after finishing the game. I may have burnt out, trying to finish everything before the end of the PS+ trial. After that I think I just outgrew the series tbh (my creative phase had long ended since LBP1's release, and I was just trying to get through high school at that point). I did absolutely love Sackboy's appearance in PSBR though. Even though I personally don't play the games anymore, I still kept LBP1 and 2 for my younger siblings, who are still getting a lot of use out of the games. I even bought LBP3 and LBP Karting just for them.

Anyway, rant over. The short of it is that LBP is pretty important PS3 title to me. I don't really have an interest in it these days (especially not with my overflowing backlog) but I do appreciate the game, and the period that it released in. Also need to mention the soundtrack. I absolutely love LBP's selection of licensed tracks. There are too many good tracks to fit in one post, but here's one track I still love:

The original music was pretty solid too:

Catalix · Oct 21, 2018

This is still one of the best live presentations I've ever seen. For the IP's debut they freakin' nailed it!

And every press conference and trailer they had all the way up until the game's release was super well coordinated too. Every stop on the hype train was pitch perfect. The franchise was something special right out the gate, man. Good times!

JohnnyMoses · Oct 21, 2018

Evilisk said:
Oh God, I cannot believe it's already been 10 years. (Warning: incoming gush post)

LBP1 will always have a special place in my heart. Back in 2007/8 I wasn't really using my PS3 for much, but LBP was like the turning point for me personally. I was mad hype about LBP because of the user creation aspect (I was in a "crazy about being creative" phase and dabbled in all sorts of things like writing, drawing, music, graphic design etc. so it basically was being released at the perfect time for me).

When it released, I played so much of it with my siblings (I think it might have honestly been the last game we played together in co-op). Most of it was the campaign and unlocking all the pre-made items, but the game really opened up for us when we got to the online (I think it was my first online experience too on the PS3). Was just absolutely blown away by folks making like, homages to other games (like Bioshock and Dead Space), playing these musical levels and I was super impressed by this fully operational tank level. I really wanted to make my own levels, I even drew a few concepts / stage layouts but ended up quitting. I did settle for making bungee jump levels though (I'd put a black matter platform real high in a level, attach some elastic to sponge, tweak the settings and then I'd have Sackboy grab and jump all the way down. It was amusing enough).

Game really was the turning point for me with the PS3. I started to pay way more attention to other incoming titles, and I remember shortly after I got into inFamous, the Ratchet future titles, ModNation Racers, Resistance etc. I was only using the PS3 before that point to watch DVDs or replay PS2 games, but LBP in my mind is synonymous with the period where PS3 started to become a really amazing console (to me)

With the rest of the series, I just kinda lost interest after LBP1. I was super hype about LBP2, and even snagged a free PS+ trial so I could play it. It was fine, but I just never went back to it after finishing the game. I may have burnt out, trying to finish everything before the end of the PS+ trial. After that I think I just outgrew the series tbh (my creative phase had long ended since LBP1's release, and I was just trying to get through high school at that point). I did absolutely love Sackboy's appearance in PSBR though. Even though I personally don't play the games anymore, I still kept LBP1 and 2 for my younger siblings, who are still getting a lot of use out of the games. I even bought LBP3 and LBP Karting just for them.

Anyway, rant over. The short of it is that LBP is pretty important PS3 title to me. I don't really have an interest in it these days (especially not with my overflowing backlog) but I do appreciate the game, and the period that it released in. Also need to mention the soundtrack. I absolutely love LBP's selection of licensed tracks. There are too many good tracks to fit in one post, but here's one track I still love:

The original music was pretty solid too:

Yes! Great post. I forgot about all the created levels from other games!

I think LBP was definitely a turning point for the PS3. I got rid of my 360 and went all in on PlayStation that Fall/Winter.

Star-Lord · Oct 21, 2018

Guys this makes me sad :(
I want another littlebigplanet game! I love sackboy

Deleted member 41651 · Oct 21, 2018

JohnnyMoses said:
Sounds like you loved it too, but... did you ace the bunker?!

heck yes I did. :P

Deleted member 43446 · Oct 21, 2018

One of my favorite games of all time, I liked LBP2, Vita and 3 a lot too but they didn't hook me for as long as LBP1 did.

I Platinum'd the game twice, btw. #h4h

Yunsen · Oct 22, 2018

I loved LittleBigPlanet. The first one had a level of whimsy and charm unlike anything almost anything else. It had one of the most unique soundtracks of any game and it's one of the few games I go back to and listen to for awhile. I ended up doing a PowerPoint presentation about LittleBigPlanet in like 2009. LittleBigPlanet 1 is my most played PS3 game by far and LittleBigPlanet 2 is second. When I ended up selling my PS3 games at the end of last gen, the only ones I kept are both LittleBigPlanet's (and the Team ICO collection).

When I make a favorite games ever list I end up cheating and put LittleBigPlanet 1 and 2 together as one entry. While 2 improved the physics, I felt like the campaign lost a bit of charm from the first one.

flipswitch · Oct 22, 2018

LBP was and still in a innovative masterpiece that rightfully deserved Edge's perfect 10.

Banzai · Oct 22, 2018

I remember pouring my heart and soul into a level I made and only barely getting thoss 50 likes :P. After that I focussed on playing levels rather than making any. Fun times.

ffvorax · Oct 22, 2018

Nice series, actually the VITA one is my favourite of all!!!

MetalBoi · Oct 22, 2018

I was surprised just how fast Little Big Planet Karting servers shut down after release.

Windrunner · Oct 22, 2018

One of the few games I've pre-ordered, I got what would become the highly desired Nariko Sackgirl costume out of it.

Charm by the bucketload, just a shame you can't move using the d-pad.

Angie · Oct 22, 2018

I love that game.
I spent embarrassing amount of money on costumes, levels packs and I don't regret on bit.
LBP3 was such a disappointment.

Also The Wedding Recception is the best level.

TheCarrotKiller · Oct 22, 2018

Probably the game that really got me into console gaming. Such a masterpiece. Played it to death, and have so many good memories just spending hours picking costumes with friends, placing stickers on top of everything and slapping each other. Just thinking about it puts a big smile on my face and makes me feel warm inside. Never played a game that felt so coherent and well designed, so thank you and well done Media Molecule!

MattyG · Oct 22, 2018

I miss the first one. Tried going back to 3 a few months ago and it just doesn't feel the same. That initial period with the first game (I got it with my PS3 for christmas in 2009 alongside Uncharted 2) was magical.

Stinkinmushroom · Oct 22, 2018

Amazing games. Can't wait for Dreams

Lurcharound · Oct 22, 2018

One of my all time favourites. Dreams hopefully outdoes it but until then LBP remains the best game I've experienced that celebrates the joy of creative play in its purest sense.

Loved the music and the aesthetic and the tone and fun they had with sackboy and sackgirl was amazing.

The trailer for MGS pack was a terrific example of the joy of LBP.

I was always disappointed it wasn't a bigger hit than it was.

Mecha Meister · Oct 22, 2018

LittleBigPlanet 2 is the best game ever made to me, LittleBigPlanet was once that game.

Mandelbo · Oct 22, 2018

LBP1 and 2 were incredibly formative games for me, and I invested more time in LBP1 alone than any game since. One of the best things was how it felt to be part of a proper creative community, collaborating on levels and projects, as well as testing and offering feedback to other creators, which is something I really hope Dreams reinvigorates now that the LBP community's mostly moved on. Even though I rarely saw huge playcounts on my levels (although I think one of my LBP2 beta levels got into five figures!) I still massively enjoyed making levels anyway, cause the game just made the creative process so fun and easy to understand, which I feel got lost a bit along the way to LBP3.

The games aren't perfect, but they've had a tangible effect on my life, moreso than any other game. They were my introduction to online gaming, to level design, to music composition, and in LBP2's case, to structuring and understanding logic components, which actually turned out to be very helpful when I came to start programming years later - because I'd already spent years playing with what was effectively a visual programming language. I seriously think the educational value alone of these games is massively underrated, because without them there's no way I'd think the way I do, and be where I am now. I owe LBP such a lot, and MM honestly deserve all the praise they can get. I'll be there on day one for Dreams.

donkey · Oct 22, 2018

The game that got me into the industry and ended up working on the franchise and beyond. ^^

Still remember getting a copy of the game from a local spot prior to the whole music ban delay, so I had a few weeks to work on this level, The Azure Palace.

Garbage level design now that I think about it, lol. The GAF collab on LittleBigContra was fun to be part of as well. Definitely cool seeing a fair amount of community peeps back from LBP1 as professional game devs, as well.

Majiebeast · Oct 22, 2018

For people that don't know Media Molecule will do a Dreams LBP anniversary stream on Nov 2nd.

pswii60 · Oct 22, 2018

I remember when this was unveiled after the Kotaku leak and there was this real sense that Sony was "back" after the weak PS3 launch, because this game was quite unlike anything else and certainly different to anything Microsoft was doing on Xbox. It's a shame they ruined the franchise by passing the third installment to Sumo. I feel like Sony has missed an opportunity there, Sackboy/girl was becoming quite the recognisable mascot and deserves a better outing.

SMD · Oct 22, 2018

Little Big Planet was unironically the reason I got a PS3 over a 360. I loved everything about the game, from its reveal to all the created levels to the sequel. Changing my PSN account meant I couldn't really face starting again, which is a shame cos I'd love to go back to it. I have LBP 3 and the Vita version too but never got round to them either.
It definitely feels like a series well suited to Christmas. Perfect for Switch, too.

Theecliff · Oct 22, 2018

lbp1 and 2 were some of my favourite games from last generation. i was pretty terrible at making levels but i spent so many countless hours playing through community levels with my friends.

DryCreek · Oct 22, 2018

Mecha Meister · Oct 22, 2018

donkey show said:
The game that got me into the industry and ended up working on the franchise and beyond. ^^

Still remember getting a copy of the game from a local spot prior to the whole music ban delay, so I had a few weeks to work on this level, The Azure Palace.

Garbage level design now that I think about it, lol. The GAF collab on LittleBigContra was fun to be part of as well. Definitely cool seeing a fair amount of community peeps back from LBP1 as professional game devs, as well.

I loved your levels, you helped inspire me as a LBP creator and an Indie game developer!

Majiebeast said:
For people that don't know Media Molecule will do a Dreams LBP anniversary stream on Nov 2nd.

Awesome, thanks for letting me know. I'll definitely be checking it out!

Stinkinmushroom · Oct 22, 2018

MediaMolecule is preparing a Dreams stream in memory to LBP. Would be cool to see a sackboy made in Dreams :)

DennyDifferent · Oct 22, 2018

donkey show said:
The game that got me into the industry and ended up working on the franchise and beyond. ^^

Hodgy said:
Played LBP1 so much! I made some awful recreations of Green Hill Zone that ended up being shown on the gadget show in the uk (lol)
then I ended up working on the franchise as my first game in the industry which was a little surreal at the time.

I almost feel like an impostor working on the series too as all I ever made in the original was cock rockets.... What I lacked in quality I certainly made up for in quantity, though. I made a LOT of cock rockets.

Ryuhza · Oct 22, 2018

You want to talk nostalgia?

i-hate-u · Oct 22, 2018

LBP, Resistance, Uncharted and Motorstorm.

Early PS3 was special man, screw the haters.

Deleted member 27315 · Oct 22, 2018

Best game of last gen.

'LittleBigPlanet moment'

Cosmo Kramer · Oct 22, 2018

This game marked Sonys come back for me last gen, it was a sign that they were in the right path after a rocky start to the gen. I was in the beta too, i uploaded a video to youtube back then and to this day it has ver 50k views.

JohnnyMoses · Oct 22, 2018

donkey show said:
The game that got me into the industry and ended up working on the franchise and beyond. ^^

Still remember getting a copy of the game from a local spot prior to the whole music ban delay, so I had a few weeks to work on this level, The Azure Palace.

Garbage level design now that I think about it, lol. The GAF collab on LittleBigContra was fun to be part of as well. Definitely cool seeing a fair amount of community peeps back from LBP1 as professional game devs, as well.

I remember seeing that as one of the popular levels all the time. Did you have that published to the community on day one? I feel like you did.

Acquiescence · Oct 22, 2018

I remember buying it for my brand new PS3 in 2009 simply because it was critically acclaimed and incredibly cheap. Wouldn't have bothered with it otherwise.

Ended up loving it, and putting a worrying amount of hours into simply playing random community levels with strangers. It was an addiction.

Can't wait to do that all over again with Dreams.

EJS · Oct 22, 2018

I got a PS3 right around Thanksgiving all those years ago and got this with it. I remember really loving it. The platforming was a little floaty but I have good memories with it.

Mechanized · Oct 22, 2018

Such a whimsical game. I remember getting it and having a good time and then one of the player created thumbnail things before a stage loads was a picture of a dudes dick. Kinda ruined the experience.

Shoot · Oct 22, 2018

Yunsen said:
When I make a favorite games ever list I end up cheating and put LittleBigPlanet 1 and 2 together as one entry. While 2 improved the physics, I felt like the campaign lost a bit of charm from the first one.

I feel the same way. The music and story mode were a noticeable step down from LittleBigPlanet 1. It was still an incredible game though.

Giga Man · Oct 22, 2018

The best thing about this game to me is its music, as already demonstrated by the posters before me. They knocked it out of the park on the soundtrack.

Unfortunately, I just couldn't have fun with this game. Didn't even complete the game's campaign. The game play mechanics did not make sense to me, and I dropped it pretty fast. It was definitely a neat-looking game, which is why I wanted to play it in the first place. I'm glad it appealed to so many and inspired a ton of impressive user-creative content.

LucidMomentum · Oct 22, 2018

I remember my brother and I loving this game. The music got me into a lot of new artists too.

I fondly remember the day it came out, I think my Gamestop got it a day early cause I was at work when they called me and I couldn't wait to go pick it up.

Then my brother and I would make all kinds of silly levels. I think my most ambitious was a procedurally generated platformer with the grappling hook, much like Cannabalt. It taught me a bit about game design, as I couldn't vary my platform sections too much or it wouldn't be passable if you got a certain combo of platforms together.

I love hearing that so many people got into game design as a result.

hydrophilic attack · Oct 22, 2018

the song they had to edit is so good too

hydrophilic attack · Oct 22, 2018

i mean, just listen to this:

so good!

BasilZero · Oct 22, 2018

I finished it last year for the first time

Really enjoyed it and played the sequel and the psp ver this year , already have 3 on PS4 and will play it sometime next year

Edit: Was surprised there were people still playing online lol

AaronMT · Oct 22, 2018

I had so much fun with the first game. For whatever reason I could not get into the other two games. Didn't feel like the communities in the other games were as vibrant and large as the first.

alexbull_uk · Oct 22, 2018

I loved LBP, easily the game I spent most time playing on PS3, and my first Platinum trophy. I always enjoyed the handmade look of LBP1, and the visual design still looks brilliant today. Plus it's extremely British feeling - what's not to like?

I'm still unreasonably proud of my LBP1 Day One T-Shirt.

AFI-kun · Oct 22, 2018

donkey show said:
The game that got me into the industry and ended up working on the franchise and beyond. ^^

Still remember getting a copy of the game from a local spot prior to the whole music ban delay, so I had a few weeks to work on this level, The Azure Palace.

Garbage level design now that I think about it, lol. The GAF collab on LittleBigContra was fun to be part of as well. Definitely cool seeing a fair amount of community peeps back from LBP1 as professional game devs, as well.

I remember playing this level with my brother!! Thank you!

Crayon · Oct 22, 2018

donkey show said:
The game that got me into the industry and ended up working on the franchise and beyond. ^^

Still remember getting a copy of the game from a local spot prior to the whole music ban delay, so I had a few weeks to work on this level, The Azure Palace.

Garbage level design now that I think about it, lol. The GAF collab on LittleBigContra was fun to be part of as well. Definitely cool seeing a fair amount of community peeps back from LBP1 as professional game devs, as well.

Omg the memories. That level was one of the first notable ones and i still remember it. The level of excitement on the board prior to release was rediculous and we were wringing out has over every tiny bit of news.

Its all getting a little hazy now, but i remember you and Danielsan (Danielsan, is that the you?) were way out ahead while a bunch of us realized we couldnt design our way out of a paper bag. There were others doing well, though their names escape me.

LittleBigPlanet PS3 is (unofficially) 10 Years Old Today

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