Katamari (series)
Encyclopedia
The Katamari series is a series of video games which puts players in control of a character called The Prince as he uses a ball called a katamari to roll up objects. The first title in the series was Katamari Damacy
for the PlayStation 2
, which became a cult classic and led to several sequels and spin-offs. It was followed by We Love Katamari, also for the PlayStation 2.
Before each level, the King will often go on a nonsensical rant to The Prince, and refers to himself in the third person. In most levels, players are presented with a specific size that they must reach as well as a time that they must reach it by. As the katamari collects more objects, it becomes larger, as demonstrated by a size chart on its HUD. In earlier levels, players are given a katamari similar to the Prince's size, which allows him to only roll up small objects such as tack
s and ants. Later levels allow the katamari to grow much larger to the point where it can roll up buildings and clouds. As it becomes larger, the katamari is then able to pick up larger objects. Living creatures will sometimes attack the katamari if it is smaller than them; once it becomes a certain size, they will often attempt to flee from it. If the katamari is only barely able to pick a living creature up, they will be knocked away; if they are not rolled up in time, they will escape. If players are attacked or crash, the katamari will sometimes lose items. If players roll up a long, slender object such as a pencil
, it will sometimes juxtapose out and cause the katamari to roll awkwardly until more objects are rolled up. In more recent games, players can hit a glowing pillar that causes all items close to the katamari that are small enough to be sucked into it.
As players reach certain size milestones, the King will often appear in the middle of the screen and speak to players. In some levels, this will precede a cutscene alerting players that a new area has opened up. If players fail to reach this size in the time allotted, they are punished by the King. If they are able to reach the required size in time, they may continue making it bigger. At the end of the stage, they are judged on their size as well as the time it took to reach the required size; if they only barely exceeded the required size, they are criticized for it; if they manage to exceed it by a significant enough margin, they are given praise. If it is the players' first completion of the level, the King will automatically transform it into a star; if it is not, they are asked if they would like to turn it into a star or into stardust. Additionally, if they reach the size fast enough, a shooting star will be unlocked for the star. As an additional reward found in some of the games, players may be allowed to play a specific level without a time limit which allows them to play indefinitely.
Not all levels follow this format; for example, some do not have a timer, and instead require players to do a certain task, such as rolling a snowball to a certain size and putting it on a snowman. Some levels also require players to pick up a specific item, such as in the cow or bear levels where players are tasked with rolling up the largest of that specific animal. Each level is presented on a stage select screen, and can be replayed multiple times after being completed. Each level also typically has two specific objects in them: one of The Prince's cousin which, after obtaining, can be used either in multi-player only or in multi-player and single-player, depending on the game. The other is a "Royal Present", which, after obtaining, may be used as an accessory for The Prince or cousins. The games keep record of every item rolled up, and players may view them in a book, which shows specific categories of items as well as % complete for each. Two players may play cooperatively or competitively together; in the cooperative mode, players are tasked with sharing control of the Katamari together with one player controlling one half of controlling the Katamari while another player controls the other in stages that resemble the single-player mode. The competitive mode puts two players against each other as they compete in an arena-like setting to get the largest sized Katamari; if one grows large enough, it can roll up the other player's katamari. Both modes are played with a timer.
The first video game released in the series was Katamari Damacy
, which was released for the PlayStation 2
on March 18, 2004 in Japan. Due to the critical critical and commercial reception that it received, Namco Bandai followed it up with a sequel also for the PlayStation 2 titled We Love Katamari. It was mostly the same as its predecessor with the exception of some additional content and slightly improved physics. A sequel was made for the PlayStation Portable
titled Me & My Katamari
, which used a different scenario and different gameplay which required players to utilize the d-pad or analog nub and the face buttons in absence of the dual analog sticks used in most Katamari games. A mobile phone version of Katamari was released titled Katamari Damacy Mobile
, a simpler came than its console counterparts which utilizes both tilt controls as well as more traditional controls. Another sequel, Beautiful Katamari
, marked the first major Katamari title to be released for a non-PlayStation
console as well as the first to support high-definition television resolutions of 720p, 1080i and 1080p. While initially planned for both PlayStation 3
and Xbox 360
, the former version was cancelled. The most recent title in the series is Katamari Forever
which was released exclusively for the PlayStation 3.
Katamari Damacy
Katamari Damacy is a third-person puzzle-action video game that is published and developed by Namco for the PlayStation 2 video game console. It was first released in Japan, and then later in South Korea and North America...
for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
, which became a cult classic and led to several sequels and spin-offs. It was followed by We Love Katamari, also for the PlayStation 2.
Gameplay and setting
In most games, players typically control the player character The Prince as he is ordered to do various tasks by the King of All Cosmos; for example, in the first title, the King binge drinks and inadvertently destroys all of the stars in the cosmos. To do this, The Prince uses an object called a katamari, which can roll up certain objects, depending on the Katamari's relative size to them. Players typically control the katamari using two analog sticks; players move forward and backward by pushing the analog sticks in that direction simultaneously. They can turn the katamari by pushing only one stick in the desired direction or pushing the sticks in opposite directions to do so faster. Players may also do a 180 turn that causes the Prince to jump on the other side of the Katamari typically by pressing the two sticks down into the controller. Players may cause the katamari to roll at high speeds typically by rapidly moving the two sticks in opposite directions back and forth. Players may also cause The Prince to jump and get a better look at the world by pressing L1. More recently, players are given the ability called the "Prince Hop" as well as look at the world in the first person.Before each level, the King will often go on a nonsensical rant to The Prince, and refers to himself in the third person. In most levels, players are presented with a specific size that they must reach as well as a time that they must reach it by. As the katamari collects more objects, it becomes larger, as demonstrated by a size chart on its HUD. In earlier levels, players are given a katamari similar to the Prince's size, which allows him to only roll up small objects such as tack
Tack
Tack may refer to:* A type of cut nail, used in upholstery, shoe making and saddle manufacture* Horse tack, harness and equipment to allow horse-back riding* Tack , quick, temporary stitching intended to be removed...
s and ants. Later levels allow the katamari to grow much larger to the point where it can roll up buildings and clouds. As it becomes larger, the katamari is then able to pick up larger objects. Living creatures will sometimes attack the katamari if it is smaller than them; once it becomes a certain size, they will often attempt to flee from it. If the katamari is only barely able to pick a living creature up, they will be knocked away; if they are not rolled up in time, they will escape. If players are attacked or crash, the katamari will sometimes lose items. If players roll up a long, slender object such as a pencil
Pencil
A pencil is a writing implement or art medium usually constructed of a narrow, solid pigment core inside a protective casing. The case prevents the core from breaking, and also from marking the user’s hand during use....
, it will sometimes juxtapose out and cause the katamari to roll awkwardly until more objects are rolled up. In more recent games, players can hit a glowing pillar that causes all items close to the katamari that are small enough to be sucked into it.
As players reach certain size milestones, the King will often appear in the middle of the screen and speak to players. In some levels, this will precede a cutscene alerting players that a new area has opened up. If players fail to reach this size in the time allotted, they are punished by the King. If they are able to reach the required size in time, they may continue making it bigger. At the end of the stage, they are judged on their size as well as the time it took to reach the required size; if they only barely exceeded the required size, they are criticized for it; if they manage to exceed it by a significant enough margin, they are given praise. If it is the players' first completion of the level, the King will automatically transform it into a star; if it is not, they are asked if they would like to turn it into a star or into stardust. Additionally, if they reach the size fast enough, a shooting star will be unlocked for the star. As an additional reward found in some of the games, players may be allowed to play a specific level without a time limit which allows them to play indefinitely.
Not all levels follow this format; for example, some do not have a timer, and instead require players to do a certain task, such as rolling a snowball to a certain size and putting it on a snowman. Some levels also require players to pick up a specific item, such as in the cow or bear levels where players are tasked with rolling up the largest of that specific animal. Each level is presented on a stage select screen, and can be replayed multiple times after being completed. Each level also typically has two specific objects in them: one of The Prince's cousin which, after obtaining, can be used either in multi-player only or in multi-player and single-player, depending on the game. The other is a "Royal Present", which, after obtaining, may be used as an accessory for The Prince or cousins. The games keep record of every item rolled up, and players may view them in a book, which shows specific categories of items as well as % complete for each. Two players may play cooperatively or competitively together; in the cooperative mode, players are tasked with sharing control of the Katamari together with one player controlling one half of controlling the Katamari while another player controls the other in stages that resemble the single-player mode. The competitive mode puts two players against each other as they compete in an arena-like setting to get the largest sized Katamari; if one grows large enough, it can roll up the other player's katamari. Both modes are played with a timer.
Video games
- Katamari DamacyKatamari DamacyKatamari Damacy is a third-person puzzle-action video game that is published and developed by Namco for the PlayStation 2 video game console. It was first released in Japan, and then later in South Korea and North America...
(PlayStation 2PlayStation 2The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
, 2004) - We Love Katamari (PlayStation 2, 2005)
- Me & My KatamariMe & My Katamariis a video game on the PSP platform. It is the third game in the Katamari Damacy series, the first game on a portable system and the first game produced without the involvement of series creator Keita Takahashi.-Story:...
(PlayStation PortablePlayStation PortableThe is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
, 2005) - Katamari Damacy MobileKatamari Damacy Mobileis a video game developed by Namco Bandai for the Mitsubishi P904i series of mobile phones for NTT DoCoMo. It was released in June 2007 in Japan. It is a spin-off of the Katamari Damacy series, the second game on a portable system and the third game produced without the involvement of series...
(Mobile phones, 2007) - Beautiful KatamariBeautiful KatamariBeautiful Katamari, released in Japan as , is a video game by Namco Bandai for the Xbox 360. Beautiful Katamari is the fourth game in the Katamari series of games following Katamari Damacy, We Love Katamari and Me & My Katamari....
(Xbox 360Xbox 360The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
, 2007) - I Love KatamariI Love Katamariis a third-person puzzle-action video game published by Namco for the iOS. It is a continuation of the Katamari Damacy series of games. It was released worldwide in the App Store on . In 2010 Namco announced a Windows Phone 7 version of the game...
(iOS, 2008) - Korogashi Puzzle Katamari DamacyKorogashi Puzzle Katamari Damacyis a falling block puzzle video game released by Namco Bandai for the Nintendo DSi's DSiWare digital download service. It is a spin-off of the Katamari series. However, it bears little resemblance to the series, resembling Tetris more so...
(DSiWare, 2009) - Katamari ForeverKatamari ForeverKatamari Forever, known in Japan as , is a video game in the Katamari series. The game was released for the PlayStation 3 console in Japan on July 23, 2009, on September 22, 2009 in North America, and September 18, 2009 in Europe...
(PlayStation 3PlayStation 3The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
, 2009) - Katamari AmoreKatamari Amoreis a third-person puzzle-action video game that is published and developed by Namco Bandai Games for iOS. With rumors beginning in March of 2011, the game was revealed in a pre-release state at E3 2011, and was released to the public on September 29, 2011...
(iOS, 2011) - Touch My KatamariTouch My KatamariTouch My Katamari, known in Japan as , is an upcoming video game in the Katamari series. It is being developed by Namco Bandai Games for the PlayStation Vita and will be released in Japan on December 17, 2011 and in Europe on February 22, 2012....
(PlayStation Vita, 2011)
The first video game released in the series was Katamari Damacy
Katamari Damacy
Katamari Damacy is a third-person puzzle-action video game that is published and developed by Namco for the PlayStation 2 video game console. It was first released in Japan, and then later in South Korea and North America...
, which was released for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
on March 18, 2004 in Japan. Due to the critical critical and commercial reception that it received, Namco Bandai followed it up with a sequel also for the PlayStation 2 titled We Love Katamari. It was mostly the same as its predecessor with the exception of some additional content and slightly improved physics. A sequel was made for the PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
titled Me & My Katamari
Me & My Katamari
is a video game on the PSP platform. It is the third game in the Katamari Damacy series, the first game on a portable system and the first game produced without the involvement of series creator Keita Takahashi.-Story:...
, which used a different scenario and different gameplay which required players to utilize the d-pad or analog nub and the face buttons in absence of the dual analog sticks used in most Katamari games. A mobile phone version of Katamari was released titled Katamari Damacy Mobile
Katamari Damacy Mobile
is a video game developed by Namco Bandai for the Mitsubishi P904i series of mobile phones for NTT DoCoMo. It was released in June 2007 in Japan. It is a spin-off of the Katamari Damacy series, the second game on a portable system and the third game produced without the involvement of series...
, a simpler came than its console counterparts which utilizes both tilt controls as well as more traditional controls. Another sequel, Beautiful Katamari
Beautiful Katamari
Beautiful Katamari, released in Japan as , is a video game by Namco Bandai for the Xbox 360. Beautiful Katamari is the fourth game in the Katamari series of games following Katamari Damacy, We Love Katamari and Me & My Katamari....
, marked the first major Katamari title to be released for a non-PlayStation
PlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
console as well as the first to support high-definition television resolutions of 720p, 1080i and 1080p. While initially planned for both PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
and Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
, the former version was cancelled. The most recent title in the series is Katamari Forever
Katamari Forever
Katamari Forever, known in Japan as , is a video game in the Katamari series. The game was released for the PlayStation 3 console in Japan on July 23, 2009, on September 22, 2009 in North America, and September 18, 2009 in Europe...
which was released exclusively for the PlayStation 3.