Katamari Damacy
Latest
Hand puppets share the bizarre magic of Katamari Forever
A little over a month ago, we received a Japanese trailer for Katamari Forever that piqued our monolingual curiosity -- what could these adorable hand puppets have to say about the latest entry in Namco Bandai's ball-rolling franchise? Today, Playstation.Blog released the English version of the trailer, and our query was answered: They're talking about food, and one sounds like Matthew McConaughey. We didn't really expect that.We'd just like to take this chance to say, we get it, Namco Bandai. Your games are unusual. You can stop with the unsettling and bizarre trailers now.
A duo of Katamari Forever videos
Don't expect any major revelations from this set of Katamari Forever videos. The upcoming PS3 hodgepodge of Katamari classics looks exactly like you'd expect, i.e. the prince continues his crazy job of rolling an ever-growing ball. It's cute, but will it warrant a full Blu-ray release? Or, should this be a PSN-only affair?More video after the break.%Poll-31603%%Gallery-51402%
iPhone 3GS makes i Love Katamari playable
Most iPhone games don't necessarily benefit from the speed boost granted by the 3GS outside of load times, because they were designed to run well on a 3G. That means that the most noticeable changes are found in games that run poorly on a 3G, like Namco Bandai's portable Katamari game, i Love Katamari. The difference is significant enough that Namco might as well have launched the first 3GS-only game six months before the release of the 3GS.1UP's Jeremy Parish offers some hard numbers about the improvement in speed in the first part of his 3GS review, comparing the speed of the in-game clock on a 3G to one running on a 3GS. The clock still doesn't run in exactly real time, so this is a bit confusing, but for four minutes of game time on a 3G, over nine minutes elapsed. The same segment of the game passed in under six.For another, less mathy comparison, check out the (slightly shaky) video after the break, which shows the game running on both phones.[Thanks, Brian!]
Video: Let the hand puppets explain Katamari Forever
Utilizing the most epic form of storytelling -- the hand puppet -- this new commercial from Japan sheds some light on the upcoming Katamari Forever game. Two animal puppets guide us through a series of gameplay clips, showing off some more of KF's classic levels (most seem to come from We Love Katamari, such as the Snowman and Race Track levels).Katamari Forever will hit Japan on the 23rd of next month, while a worldwide release hasn't yet been determined. But don't worry, it shouldn't be too long before the game rolls our way.
Impressions: Katamari Forever (PS3)
It hasn't been all that long since we last got to check out Katamari Forever, and one of the levels being demoed was actually the same as the previous demo (rolling the Katamari around to plant flowers), so we didn't spend much time with it. Instead, we sought to explore the other stage, which was traditional Katamari fare.%Gallery-51402%
No DLC planned for Katamari Forever
While we were checking out upcoming PS3 compilation/remix title Katamari Forever, which takes "the best" levels from previous Katamari games and updates them for the PS3 release. While we were with the Namco rep, we asked if there would be any DLC for the title, as there will definitely be players who feel their favorite level did not make the cut. The rep told us that Namco had no plans for DLC and that it would probably not happen.
A 'real' Katamari controller
In the photo above you'll see Kelly Farrell -- and she's a hell of a lot smarter than us. The twentysomething created, with the help of hacking collective NYC Resistor, a Katamari Damacy controller that uses a real ball. The big silver metal ball uses an optical mouse along with [technical jargon goes here] to make a very cool controller.Originally, Kelly wanted to use a full-sized yoga ball, but the rubber was too resistant and didn't play well with the other components. Check out her video after the break to get a more detailed explanation of how it all works.
New details on Korean Katamari Damacy Online
Remember Katamari Damacy Online? Yeah, neither do we. A refresher: Katamari Online is a PC iteration of the weird and addicting franchise being published by WindySoft for Korea. First revealed two years ago, 4gamer.net has new details about the game (translated courtesy of andriasang.com). New artwork has been unveiled for the game, featuring two new characters, Mint and Mellow. A new map, Seoul, has been revealed as well. As one might expect, the map features some of Seoul's landmarks.The story revolves around the King of All Cosmos creating a black hole during a picnic. Naturally, it's the player's job to create a katamari big enough to plug the hole. While not exactly the same, the plot sounds an awful lot like the one used in Beautiful Katamari. It might seem like a small matter but, really, what is a Katamari game without an excellent plot to back it up?The game is set to have plenty of new modes and features, including a new House system, which we now know allows players to create their own islands using the items collected on their katamaris. The site also mentions the game's Pet system, though no new details have been revealed just yet.
Joystiq impressions: Katamari Forever
Remember when there were never going to be any more Katamari Damacy games? It must have just been a bad, bad dream, because Katamari (is) Forever. The new game, announced for US release yesterday, was previously announced in Japan as Katamari Damacy Tribute. It's rolling Stateside later this year exclusively for PS3 -- in full 1080p -- and we've seen it in action. Is it more than just crisp graphics and fancy new visual filters? You betcha. Join us after the break for more.%Gallery-51402%
Katamari rolling to PS3 as 'Katamari Forever' this Fall
Unsurprisingly, Namco Bandai has announced a US release for Katamari Damacy Tribute. The PS3-exclusive remix of classic Katamari games is coming this Fall according to a reveal trailer on GameTrailers. Forever will feature four different visual filters, from cel-shaded to wood grain. While series creator Keita Takahashi is not working on the game, the promise of 1080p graphics should be more than enough to entice fans to check out Forever.We'll have our very own hands-on preview with the game soon (once the embargo ends!). Until then, you can check out the debut trailer after the break.[Thanks, Alex C.!]
Katamari Tribute features four adjustable visual filters
Can you spot the difference between the four Katamari Damacy Tribute images seen above? All four pictures showcase a different visual filter used in the game, and according to Siliconera, this change in art style and appearance can be adjusted by the player. The four filters are: classic, colored pencil, wood grain and cel-shaded. Now, the question is: Which image corresponds to the right filter? We could just tell you, but we thought you'd have more fun playing a guessing game. So which one is which? Answers are after the break, no peeking!
Keita Takahashi not involved with Katamari Damacy Tribute
We didn't think that Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi had returned for the PlayStation 3's Katamari Damacy Tribute after sitting out Me and My Katamari and Beautiful Katamari -- though there was a vague hope in the back of our mind. Having the eccentric Takahashi at the helm would immediately transform the game from a sad exploitation of a dead franchise to MUST BUY NOW.Namco Bandai officially confirmed our suspicions, telling Eurogamer that Takahashi has not returned to the franchise for the new 1080p installment. However, the company said that the game is "in good hands," even if those hands aren't inside a Noby Noby Boy scarf.
Overheard@GDC09: Design is Takahashi's anti-drug
Although it's hard to believe that the ideas for Katamari Damacy and Noby Noby Boy weren't birthed from some serious drug use, Keita Takahashi stated at GDC that he's completely straight-edge when it comes to partaking in the chemical vices of man. In the same session where he revealed Noby Noby Boy for iPhone, he also claimed, "I don't use drugs at all, I don't drink at all. Please don't worry about me."Hmmmmmmm .... okay.
New trailer confirms that animals love Katamari Damacy Tribute
We know we should keep our enthusiasm for Katamari Damacy Tribute at reasonable levels. After all, creator Keita Takahashi has officially moved on, and the games haven't maintained the same charm since his departure. But then the trademark Katamari Damacy music kicks in (this time, performed by a variety of Japanese musicians), stuff starts getting rolled up, and we're enthralled. This trailer is fantastic, and not just because of the animal pictures.The animal pictures do help a lot.The trailer confirms the return of stages from previous Katamaris -- the gingerbread house is easily identifiable enough as originating in We Love Katamari. But there also seem to be new stages, like one in which your katamari causes plants to grow wherever it goes. There is further new content in the new music, the new 1080p presentation, and an optional (or restricted to certain stages) cel-shaded look. Just like that, we're in love with Katamari Damacy again! How disturbing.
Katamari Damacy Tribute coming to PS3
Did Noby Noby Boy whet your appetite for more quirky Japanese magic? Keita Takahashi's original ball-rolling creation is returning in a brand new PS3 game, Katamari Damacy Tribute. According to Siliconera, the new title will be presented in full 1080p HD and will feature a "new visual presentation." The soundtrack features remixes from previous titles, which in conjunction with the title, suggests the Tribute may be a hodgepodge of previous games in the series. Stay tuned for more details.
Namco's DSiWare Katamari puzzler, downloadable Mr. Drillers, in screens
GAME Watch has some direct-feed screens of Namco Bandai's DSiWare and WiiWare lineup, along with the title of one as-yet-unrevealed DSiWare game, Diet Memo, that probably isn't that exciting. We were most curious, of course, about Korogashi Puzzle Katamari Damacy, imagining some kind of completely bizarre puzzle game with quirky music and completely unique gameplay elements. It will have one of those, in the form of an ending theme, "Katamari of Love," created using the vocal synthesis software (and singing star, of sorts) Hatsune Miku. As for the gameplay: it's basically Pac-Attack, or Cosmo Gang: The Video, again. Players arrange sets of stuff, and occasionally a Katamari will appear to roll up adjacent objects. That's not bad for 500 points, but it's certainly not the kind of originality we associate with Katamari.Speaking of originality: screens of DSiWare Mr. Driller confirm that it really is content from Drill Spirits, directly excerpted. It looks exactly the same. Again, for 500 points, it might be a viable download for DSi owners this week, but not those who already own Drill Spirits. Mr. Driller World for WiiWare, on the other hand, is new, with a bright new visual style!
Noby Noby Boy to have 'big update' two months after release
The oh-so-curious Noby Noby Boy releases this week on the PlayStation Store. For $5, even those that are hesitant may want to pick up this rather unique (and experimental) game from the creator of Katamari Damacy. Should the quirky game find an audience, Namco Bandai will allow Keita Takahashi to continue developing the world he's created. "I want many people to play the game. Please allow me to keep updating the game!"The first planned DLC should arrive approximately two months after the game's release. What it will entail, we're not exactly sure. To find out more about the (lack of) objectives in Noby Noby Boy, read Eurogamer's excellent interview.%Gallery-34693%
DSiWare Katamari Damacy puzzler, DSiWare/WiiWare Mr. Driller in Japan soon
The latest issue of Famitsu reveals two new titles for Japan's DSiWare download service, both from Namco Bandai. Korogashi Puzzle Katamari Damacy is a falling-block puzzle game starring the cast of Namco's classic rolling-stuff-up game, seemingly involving animals between the blocks and a black hole in the distance. In classic Katamari style, we have no idea. But it says Katamari Damacy in the title, so we're inclined to FREAK OUT -- while also being a bit sad about the milking of the series. Korogashi Puzzle Katamari Damacy will be out in Japan on March 25 for 500 Nintendo Points. In more easily-accessible news, Famitsu also revealed two more Mr. Driller games. Mr. Driller: Drill Spirits was Namco's first DS game; now the company is returning to the well for its inaugural DSiWare title, and throwing in a WiiWare version as well! Mr. Driller for DSiWare (whose full title we can't read in the Famitsu scan) includes a mission mode, time attack, and a Dristone mode, featuring less oxygen to pick up, and more special powerup items around the stage. This mode was removed from the North American release of Drill Spirits. The game comes out in Japan next Wednesday for 800 Points!Mr. Driller World looks like a basic implementation of Mr. Driller on WiiWare, with a tutorial mode and some kind of "simple" play -- possibly a new control scheme. It'll be out Tuesday in Japan, also for 800 Points.
I Love Katamari rolls (literally) into the iPhone's App Store
We don't cover a lot of games on Engadget Mobile -- or a lot of apps, for that matter -- but every once in a while we get graced with a franchise that's bound to get readers unusually fired up. This time around it's the cult hit Katamari Damacy in its I Love Katamari form, hitting the iTunes App Store courtesy of publisher Namco. The concept -- rolling a giant ball of crap around town -- seems almost tailor-made for the iPhone's control method, but unfortunately, we're hearing that the current version is a little rough around the edges with frequent slowdowns once you get enough stuff sucked into the ball. The platform's young, the game's young, and we're hoping it gets better over time, but only the most diehard Katamari fans may want to bite on the $7.99 asking price at this point.[Via TUAW]
I Love Katamari in the App Store, optimization not included
Can't believe we didn't think to ask of this before Namco gave it to us, but here it is -- there is already an official version of I Love Katamari (otherwise known as Katamari Damacy) right there on the App Store and playable on the iPhone. What a perfect game to put on the iPhone -- it's casual, it's easy to pick up but tough to master, and the analog controls, while perfect for a pair of analog sticks, work great on a touchscreen as well. Unfortunately, it's not quite perfect yet -- the game slows down fast, and quickly becomes unplayable with all the stuff on the screen. But lots of people are hoping for an update from Namco, and while that hope might not quite be justified (is Namco really going to commit to making this game great, or are they just taking advantage of a hot property?), you never know. Pac Man has been a winner for the company for sure, so maybe they will make sure that Katamari plays as well as its console versions. As much as we appreciate original games on the iPhone, there's nothing wrong with quality ports of console gems as well, and if Namco can patch out the bugs to everyone's satisfaction, there's no question that's what this will be.
