New Katamari in West this year

By Tom Bramwell Published 23 April, 2007

With downloadable content too.

Beautiful Katamari will launch on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in the US "later this year", Namco Bandai said late last week, following official confirmation of the game's development.

That means that - on PS3 at least - gamers in Europe will have no trouble playing it, since the PS3 doesn't feature region-locking for disc-based game software, while it's optional in Xbox 360 games with some NTSC titles - like Gears of War and Viva Piñata - working on PAL systems.

Beautiful Katamari will run in fancy 720p graphics, promises a new "unforgettable" soundtrack and online multiplayer on both systems. Players will once again find themselves stepping into the tiny shoes of the Prince, whose father the King of All Cosmos has had a "very un-royal and unfortunate accident" that he needs to sort out by rolling up the world into a ball.

As usual you'll run into around 50 of the Prince's cousins on your travels, each of whom likes to play with the Prince, and there will be more to expect in the form of downloadable content later on.

All of which has us quite excited, even if we're a bit wary of Katamari games created since Keita Takahashi disappeared from the credits. Beautiful Katamari is reportedly directed by Jun Moriwaki, co-lead game designer on PSP title Me & My Katamari.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (17) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • spliffhead #1 5 years ago

    Does anyone know where to get a copy of We Love Katamari for less that the £37!!! Amazon want for it?

  • SuperBas #2 5 years ago

    If I remember correctly, Takahashi is developing a playground, or something like that.

  • JonFE #3 5 years ago

    I don't want to be picky, but are we sure about the "PS3 doesn't feature region-locking for disc-based game software". IIRC only first-party games are guaranteed to be region-free, while other publishers have the option to lock them just like the x360 - is that wrong?

    Other than that, I'd like some Katamari love on my x360, as I haven't played any of its previous appearances.

  • JonFE #4 5 years ago

    disc: Does that mean that I'm wrong or not, though? Honest question, as you seem to know...

  • JonFE #5 5 years ago

    I've already said I own a x360. What does that have to do with anything?

  • Scientist #6 5 years ago

    "Has anyone got a clue where Keita Takahashi went?"

    He's working on new IP for next-current-whatever-you-call-it gen.

  • Razz #7 5 years ago

    Has anyone got a clue where Keita Takahashi went?

    Asda.

    /pats bum

  • el_pollo_diablo #8 5 years ago

    Having played the original and sequel, the news of a third coming fills me with... well, nothing. Been there, done that.

    The cow has now officially been milked dry.

  • JonFE #9 5 years ago

    disc: Apparently, you are not going to answer that. If the PS3 is not capable to support region lock on disc-based software on a hardware level, as the article implies, then by all means I'm wrong. If, on the other hand, its hardware is capable for region-locking at publisher's request, then the article could not be entirely accurate.

    Either way, I wasn't trolling, as you seem to suggest. That was an honest question and me owning a 360 does not change that.

  • Steroyd #10 5 years ago

    I think devs can choose to region lock games if they wish but there has been no game to my knowledge that is region locked on the PS3.

  • jlaakso #11 5 years ago

    Being European, I've only played We Love Katamari. Would most likely buy a good sequel.

    I do hope they bring in something new though. I liked the "how big can you get with just 50 items" level, for instance.

  • JonFE #12 5 years ago

    Steroyd, that's what I wanted to know.

    If there is a way to region lock disc-based PS3 games (and that is still an "if" in my mind), the fact that no one has done it, so far, does not necessarily mean that, in the future, no one will. So, IMHO, assumptions that European PS3 gamers need not worry could be unfounded.

  • Steroyd #13 5 years ago

    I do hope they bring in something new though. I liked the "how big can you get with just 50 items" level, for instance.

    From the screens I've seen it looks like the PS2 game in HD... and I'm not taking the piss either. o_O

    Scale is nice though, would prefer the game to be released on PSN/XBLA than retail or it would seem like a rip-off.

  • Toothball #14 5 years ago

    I reckon I could collect another million roses if I had to.

  • spongebob #15 5 years ago

    Another one they couldn't keep on Sony's machines. And another reason to get a X360. I am almost certain now it's THE next-gen console I am getting first. When I have the money, that is.

  • aine #16 5 years ago

    Has anyone got a clue where Keita Takahashi went?

    Well, Katamari was supposed to be a one-off, a unique experience... but then it got popular, and Takahashi was pressured into making a sequel. After that, as far as I can ascertain, he got as far away from the games industry as possible. Can't say I blame him.

  • Scientist #17 5 years ago

    "After that, as far as I can ascertain, he got as far away from the games industry as possible. Can't say I blame him. "

    He still works for Bandai Namco. As far as I know, he's working on a new game.