| Game Title: | Once Upon A Katamari |
| Developer: | RENGAME |
| Publisher: | Bandai Namco Entertainment |
| Release Date: | October 24, 2025 |
| Platforms: | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, & PC via Steam |
It’s been a full decade since we last saw a Katamari Damacy game roll its way onto consoles, and now, Bandai Namco has finally delivered something fresh. Once Upon a Katamari marks the triumphant return of the series, not as a remaster or remake, but as an entirely new entry that aims to capture the magic of the originals while introducing new ideas for longtime fans.
Since the departure of Keita Takahashi, the creative mind behind the original Katamari Damacy, the franchise has gone through its ups and downs. Titles like Beautiful Katamari and Katamari Forever managed to hold up the charm and quirky spirit of the series, but nothing quite recaptured that pure, oddball brilliance that started it all. Now, with Once Upon a Katamari, Bandai Namco seems ready to prove that the magic can roll again. And honestly? I’d say it’s worth the hype.
Chapter 1 – Still Absurds Since 2004
The game begins innocently enough, with The King of All Cosmos, his family, and of course, our tiny hero the Prince, tidying up the royal castle. During this chaotic cleaning spree, they stumble upon a mysterious scroll. Once the chores are done, the ever-restless King, struck by sheer boredom, casually tosses the scroll into the air, only for it to unleash catastrophic consequences, wiping out the Earth, Moon, and stars in one careless swoop.
Naturally, the responsibility to fix this cosmic mess once again falls to the poor Prince. Armed with the Katamari, he’s tasked with rolling through history itself, traveling across different time periods to rebuild the universe one massive ball of junk at a time. To restore everything to its former glory, the Prince boards his trusty spacecraft, the S.S. Prince, and ventures through time to collect humanity’s essence before its untimely destruction, all in true Katamari fashion.
From the Edo period in Japan to the prehistoric dinosaur age, and yes, you can actually talk to dinosaurs in this game. The game gleefully expands the Katamari universe in ways that are both bizarre and charming.The game also makes great use of its signature offbeat presentation. Every flashback sequence is brought to life with a weirdly but irresistibly charming animation style, the kind that feels both intentionally awkward and surprisingly expressive. It leans into that surreal, low-budget aesthetic that Katamari has always worn proudly, and it works perfectly here.
While story has never really been the main focus of the Katamari series, Once Upon a Katamari manages to make its narrative moments genuinely entertaining thanks to these quirky animated cutscenes. They’re funny, stylishly bizarre, and full of personality, adding an extra layer of charm to a game that already thrives on its eccentricity. It’s the kind of storytelling flair that reminds you why Katamari is such a beloved cult classic in the first place.
Chapter 2 – Gameplay
At its core, Once Upon a Katamari stays true to what fans have always loved about the series, that familiar, oddly satisfying loop of rolling everything in sight into one ever growing ball of chaos. The main objective remains simple, make your Katamari as big as possible. Yet, the way it feels, that indescribably smooth and tactile satisfaction of objects clinging to your Katamari with every roll, still hits just as hard as it did decades ago.
However, it’s not just about rolling endlessly. Some levels introduce specific goals such as collecting certain items, watering patches of land, or even racing against the clock to finish a stage as quickly as possible. These mission based variations give the game a refreshing rhythm, adding structure without sacrificing the franchise’s trademark absurdity.
The level design itself is surprisingly strong. There’s a real sense of verticality, clever hidden areas, and collectible placement that rewards exploration. Along the way, you can find your Cousins and Crowns, all while trying to hit the elusive S Rank for each stage. Now, while Once Upon a Katamari might seem like an easy, laid back experience on the surface, it’s not quite the kind of game you can mindlessly relax to. Sure, it’s more forgiving than older Katamari entries, but some objectives can be surprisingly tricky. Figuring out how to efficiently reach S Rank requires planning, precision, and a touch of creativity.
For completionists, though, this is where the game truly shines. Its replay value is immense, experimenting with different strategies, optimizing your routes, and mastering every stage becomes an addicting loop. It’s not just about rolling up random junk anymore, there’s a satisfying layer of complexity beneath the surface that keeps you coming back for just one more run. Aside from the main campaign, Once Upon a Katamari also introduces a new mode called KatamariBall, an online multiplayer experience that adds a competitive twist to the series’ classic formula. In this mode, players race against three other opponents to collect as many items as possible and bring them back to their spacecraft to be beamed up.
When you are not busy restoring the universe, there is also a fun customization feature that lets you personalize your own Katamari. You can tweak its appearance, add quirky designs, and even play as any Cousin character you have unlocked along the way. It is not a deep system by any means, but it is surprisingly entertaining, especially for players who love the idea of creating their own Katamari OC and showing it off during multiplayer sessions.
Chapter 3 – Presentation
Visually, the game’s high point remains its wonderfully weird presentation. The unpredictable and almost nonsensical visuals constantly deliver hilarious moments that fill the screen with pure absurdity. Whether it is a dinosaur breakdancing or a samurai getting rolled up mid duel, it is always a delight to see what bizarre scene will happen next.
And then there is the soundtrack. While it might not completely reach the legendary heights of the original Katamari Damacy album, it still delivers an infectious energy that perfectly complements the game’s eccentric tone. Tracks like the upbeat Japanese pop of DIVER and Suisei Biyori, or the slick Japanese hip hop track YangYang featuring Daoko, bring a refreshing modern flair to the series’ already eclectic soundscape. Overall, the music does not disappoint, it is catchy, colorful, and pure Katamari at heart.
The only real downside in Once Upon a Katamari lies in how it handles its time travel concept. While the idea itself has huge potential, the game puts most of its focus on the Edo period of Japan rather than exploring the other eras in depth. Some areas simply do not have the same level of detail, content, or creativity as the Edo stages, which feels like a missed opportunity. It is a bit disappointing, especially when the premise of traveling through different points in history could have opened up so many fun and strange possibilities.
Aside from that, there are hardly any technical issues to mention. The game runs smoothly on PC, even when the screen is filled with hundreds of items waiting to be rolled up. Performance remains stable throughout, which is impressive considering just how much chaos can unfold at once. It is clear that Bandai Namco has managed to polish this entry well, keeping that signature Katamari charm intact while making sure the experience feels fluid and modern.
Chapter 4 – Conclusion
In my opinion, Once Upon a Katamari is a strong entry in the Katamari series and a well deserved revival for the franchise. It captures everything that makes Katamari special, from its ridiculous charm and creative level design to its joyful sense of chaos, all while introducing new twists that keep it feeling fresh. Despite a few shortcomings in how the time travel concept is used, the game still stands as one of the most delightful and entertaining releases from Bandai Namco in recent years.
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