After a fourteen-year hiatus from full console entries, the quirky and beloved “roll anything you can” franchise is back: Once Upon a KATAMARI plunges the Prince of Cosmos into a delightfully weird time-traveling adventure. From the moment you pick up the controller, you’re thrown into the series’ trademark chaos—rolling up thumbtacks, cats, furniture, dinosaurs, and eventually cities—now spread across eras from the Stone Age to feudal Japan to a futuristic neon cityscape. The King of All Cosmos has once again made a mess of things, and as always, it’s up to you (and your sticky ball) to sort it out.
Gameplay & Mechanics
At its core, Once Upon a KATAMARI retains the intuitive dual-analog stick rolling mechanics: both sticks move the ball, and momentum, drag, size, and speed all play into how you grow your Katamari. You start small—picking up sprigs of grass, toys, pebbles—and as you accumulate mass, you can absorb larger objects, switching from rolling up twigs to cows, cars, and entire buildings. The joy of that first “big pickup” moment—when the little ball suddenly engulfs a bench and leaps in size—is as intoxicating as ever.
The time-travel framework gives each level a distinct visual and mechanical twist. One mission might have you roll through prehistoric flora and fauna, then transition into an ancient Egyptian marketplace, and finally leap into the distant future in the same overarching hub. Power-ups like dash bursts and size boosters, customisation options for dozens of cousins, and a new competitive multiplayer mode—KatamariBall, where four players race to roll the biggest ball—add depth and replayability.
That said, the evolution is modest. Many of the core systems feel familiar—almost too familiar. If you’ve played earlier Katamari titles, you’ll recognize the pattern: roll, grow, reach target size within a time limit, repeat with escalating challenge. Some physics and collision quirks can occasionally jolt you out of the experience, but they are minor inconveniences in an otherwise joyous game.
Visuals, Audio & Presentation
Visually, the game leans into the series’ signature vibrant, whimsical style—bright colours, surreal object arrays, whimsical music—while delivering it with modern polish. Environments are lively and varied: a dust-blown old Western town can seamlessly give way to a neon-futuristic city. The soundtrack is bouncy, quirky, and instantly catchy, blending vocal tracks, goofy sound effects, and the cosmic absurdity the series is known for.
While the game performs well, some camera issues can occur when your Katamari grows very large or when backing into corners, which may affect precision rolling. These are minor annoyances in an otherwise well-executed presentation.
Content & Replayability
Once Upon a KATAMARI is not a short ride. Multiple eras, dozens of levels per era, and bonus modes like customisation, collectibles, and multiplayer provide significant content. Optional missions, hidden crowns, and special objectives encourage players to fully explore each level. Multiplayer adds another layer of chaos and fun, with friends competing locally or online.
The progression system and optional challenges are functional but not deeply layered. Some optional missions may feel less tight than core levels. Still, for what it sets out to be—a fun, joyful experience of rolling up the universe—the content offers strong value.
Strengths & Weaknesses
What works really well:
- Pure, joyful gameplay: rolling up crazy things still feels fresh and fun.
- Variety of eras keeps things interesting and injects fresh absurdity into the series.
- Excellent customisation and the addition of competitive multiplayer increase replay value.
- Presentation nails the tone: absurd humour, vibrant visuals, and memorable music.
What holds it back a bit:
- The formula is familiar; if you expected a radical reinvention, you might feel underwhelmed.
- Some minor technical hiccups, including camera issues and occasional collision quirks.
- Optional and side-mission systems are competent but not deeply innovative.
- Longtime fans may notice slight differences in physics and “feel” compared to older entries.
Audience & Value
If you’ve never played a Katamari game, this is a perfect entry point: accessible, fun, and brimming with charm. For veterans, it checks nearly all the boxes: recognizable core gameplay, fresh twists, and enough new content to justify the return. Fans of whimsical, pick-up-and-play fun or creative Japanese game design will especially enjoy it.
With a good amount of main missions, optional objectives, and multiplayer modes, the game offers strong value for its price. Minor technical issues don’t significantly undermine the fun factor.
Overall Verdict
Once Upon a KATAMARI is a delightful comeback for a series whose simplicity is its greatest strength. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it polishes it nicely, adds a few playful new spokes, and delivers one of the most cheerful, inventive gaming experiences around. Rolling up couches, cars, and clouds across time never gets old—and this game ensures that truth remains true. Minor technical quirks and familiar mechanics hold it back from greatness, but overall, it’s a joyful, charming, and highly recommended return to form.
