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Once Upon a Katamari – Rolling Back Into Chaos October 24, 2025

Originally posted on Total Apex Gaming | By Mollie Dominy | Last updated Jul 31, 2025 12:58 PM ET

Katamari fans, rejoice! The Prince is back, and this time he’s rolling through the annals of history, causing havoc in the past, present, and probably some weird time-warped version of the future.

Bandai Namco just announced Once Upon a Katamari, the first game in the beloved Katamari Damacy series in (drumroll, please) 14 years! That’s long enough for some of us to have graduated, gotten jobs, and realized just how much we need a game where rolling up raccoons, bicycles, and – oh, why not – entire T-Rexes is an acceptable way to solve problems. And boy, what a problem we’ve got this time.

A Royal Screw-Up, A Cosmic Cleanup

The King of All Cosmos is back to his usual antics. Remember when he drunkenly destroyed all the stars last time? Classic. Well, hold onto your katamaris because this guy managed to one-up himself by obliterating Earth and the stars…again. This time, it involves an “accidentally fiddled-with scroll.” Yes, big scroll energy. Lucky for us, The Prince (star roller extraordinaire) is here to clean up another galactic mess.

And how’s he going to do it? By rolling through history, of course! We’re talking Jurassic Period, Ice Age, Edo Japan – why just rebuild Earth when you can collect it and its culturally iconic timelines? Expect to grab dinosaurs, feudal lords, and who-knows-what-else in this time-hopping spectacle.

What’s New in the Katamari Chaos?

Okay, here’s the tea for old fans and new recruits:

Fresh Stages, Funky Soundtrack

The stages are designed to span across epochs, with new mechanics like a magnetic tool to draw objects toward your Katamari. Honestly, if you don’t find dragging entire furniture sets toward you oddly satisfying, who are you even?

KatamariBall and Customizations Galore

Multiplayer is back, but this time it’s called KatamariBall. Think of it as a cosmic competitive sport where up to four players roll, smash, and dominate. Added bonus? There’s a customization system for your Prince or cousin. Oh yes, those funky cousins are making a glorious return (all 68 of them). With new customizable looks, you can finally design a cousin that screams, “I collect trash with flair.”

Dino-mite Meets LOLs

Who wouldn’t want to roll up a velociraptor while some oddly groovy tune plays in the background? The Once Upon a Katamari team has promised a soundtrack combining fan favorites with brand-new compositions. One can only hope the King throws in his bizarre monologues as well. His cosmic wisdom is always…something else.

Nostalgia, But Make It Bigger

Once Upon a Katamari – Rolling Back Into Chaos October 24, 2025 7 Image of Once Upon a Katamari, Courtesy of Bandai Namco

If you’re one of those people who still hums the theme song from the original Katamari Damacy or kept replaying We Love Katamari, this game feels like a warm (and slightly chaotic) hug. Sure, it’s been over a decade, but the essence is still here – charming absurdity, intuitive gameplay, and vibes that can only be described as “joyously unhinged.” It’s exactly what nostalgia junkies need, sprinkled with new mechanics to keep it fresh.

Pre-Orders, Easter Eggs, and Excitement

Here’s something fun for long-time fans. Owning either Katamari Damacy REROLL or We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie nets you a snazzy Young King outfit for your character when you pick up Once Upon a Katamari. Because nothing says “fashion” quite like wearing cosmic royalty as a literal accessory.

Oh, and there’s a bit of DLC love coming soon. Microtransactions might not be your favorite thing, but the prospect of extra stages or quirky cousin outfits is hard to resist.

Why This Matters to Fans (and Newcomers)

The return of Katamari Damacy couldn’t come at a better time. Video games are often “dark, gritty, and realistic” these days, but Once Upon a Katamari is here to remind us that whimsy still has its place in gaming. It doesn’t care about realism or being “serious.” Who needs that when you can roll up an entire prehistoric food chain instead?

If you’ve never rolled a Katamari before, consider this your golden ticket. The gameplay is simple to pick up and endlessly addictive. And for seasoned fans? It’s a cosmic homecoming that we’ve all been quietly yearning for.

Roll Up Your Calendars

Once Upon a Katamari lands in Japan on October 23rd and will bless the rest of the world on October 24th for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC (hello, Steam users). Mark your calendars, because The King, The Prince, and their oversized ball of chaos are about to roll through our lives again.

And honestly, what’s not to love about repairing the cosmos while dressing your cousin Lydia in hot pink and electric blue stripes?

Final Thoughts

This could have gone two ways. It could’ve been a quick cash grab, riding the high of nostalgia that so many games rely on. Instead, it feels like Bandai Namco has given us something genuine. Once Upon a Katamari isn’t just about rolling nonsense into a star anymore; it’s about reclaiming the adorably absurd chaos that made us fall in love with the series in the first place.

Besides, where else can you flatten T-Rexes and ornate Shogun palaces in the same level? Nowhere. That’s where.

Go ahead, add “Once Upon a KATAMARI” to your wishlist. This winter, it’s rolling time.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Gaming and was syndicated with permission.

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