Game Debate #83: Katamari Damacy

[Reed Rothchild | 9,510]

[RH | 4,895]

This was the game that proved to me you really can have 100% completely crap graphics and if they gameplay really is good, you can get away with it.  It's a quirky story and concept but utterly addictive to roll up cows, people, lamp posts, cars, buildings... Germany!

I loved this game and I can still go back and enjoy it.

Edited January 6, 2022 by RH

[Gloves | 11,761]

We Love Katamari was the first I played in the series and is objectively the better game, which made going back to this one a little tough since it lacked a few of the improvements in the sequel. Regardless though, it's a really great game. Easy to pick up and play for a few minutes, or to try and complete in a longer session (knowing where every single "item" is can be challenging). Big fan.

[spacepup | 2,404]

I gave it an 8.  I remember when it first came out, and it was just so unique and interesting, and a bit unlike any game I had played before!  I loved the incredibly goofy, colorful style, and it was just super fun to go around and explore the levels, collecting everything and getting bigger and bigger.  This game made me smile and laugh, and was just super fun.

Gameplay was definitely refined in some later sequels, but I definitely love this game, and definitely recommend it!

[WhyNotZoidberg | 585]

Never played but keep meaning to.

 

Warcraft III pls!

[JamesRobot | 5,786]

I think I can go ahead put Katamari down for a 10.  It's one of the first games that come to mind when I think of the P2.  

Katamari is of its own genre (you know, the roll stuff up in a ball genre) and completely unique.  Originality aside, it is the epitome of what a good video game should be: unique gameplay that is easy to learn but challenging to master, simple yet relatable characters, intriguing (and absurd) plot with plenty of humor, and levels that increase in size and challenge from the diminutive to a near inconceivable scope.  The sense of accomplishment is satisfying right from the get go and continues to reward the player to a ludicrous ending.

I've played all of the series and would probably go with We ❤ Katamari or Beautiful Katamari as the best of the bunch.  But my favorite level is the "8 bit" 2D level at the end of Me & My Katamari on the PSP.

 

[RH | 4,895]

Is that music Japanese pseudo-Gospel?!  Lol, I also admit I loved the soundtrack.  My wife and I still sing some of the songs from time to time.  We also really enjoyed multiplayer mode.

Yeah, this was just an all-around excellent game.

[mbd39 | 2,017]

7

I liked it, but couldn't get into it enough to beat it.

 

[docile tapeworm | 4,194]

Ya I like it

[PII | 1,883]

Just started playing this one in the last year or so.  Very unique, simple concept.  

[Kguillemette | 1,543]

Easy 8/10. There's something entrancing about the mixture or graphics/music/sound FX, and gameplay. I can lose where I am for a few minutes while I play if that makes sense.

[Bearcat-Doug | 5,104]

Never heard of it.

[AstralSoul | 502]

This is one of those games I find super charming, and like the concept and love the soundtrack but I just don't find it all that fun to play. The controls are also unnecessarily awkward for some reason. I played through it twice most recently on Switch. I don't think it's bad, I even liked it in short bursts but I didn't love it and wished I liked it more than I actually did. 6/10

[G-type | 2,477]

so fun and that soundtrack 

[wongojack | 211]

Sorry to keep digging up these old polls, but I like talking about games . . .

Katamari Damacy 10/10

• The quirky-weird story shouldn't work but it does
• The weird controls shouldn't work but they do
• The core concept shouldn't work but is absolutely awesome

This is also a game where people who don't like video games generally like this game.  Even people who complain about how they haven't played a game since they added a second button can somehow hold a dual shock for the first time and pick up a virtual staple and LOVE it.  My most recent experience with the game was with my older brother.  I was showing him how I modded up a PS2 and added a bunch of hard drive games.  He says "Does it have Katamari?  I loved playing that with my kids when they were little."

Yes it does bro, yes it does.

 

And a note about the sequels.  I've played a lot of them, but they never quite captured the magic of the original.  Can't put my finger on it, but it might be that such an original concept can only be truly experienced with the wonder and discovery of the first time.  I imagine that whoever plays this series probably appreciates the first game they played more than any others.

[Reed Rothchild | 9,510]

3 minutes ago, wongojack said:

Sorry to keep digging up these old polls

No way, keep at it.  They have no "sell by" date.

[Gloves | 11,761]

28 minutes ago, wongojack said:

Sorry to keep digging up these old polls, but I like talking about games . . .

Katamari Damacy 10/10

• The quirky-weird story shouldn't work but it does
• The weird controls shouldn't work but they do
• The core concept shouldn't work but is absolutely awesome

This is also a game where people who don't like video games generally like this game.  Even people who complain about how they haven't played a game since they added a second button can somehow hold a dual shock for the first time and pick up a virtual staple and LOVE it.  My most recent experience with the game was with my older brother.  I was showing him how I modded up a PS2 and added a bunch of hard drive games.  He says "Does it have Katamari?  I loved playing that with my kids when they were little."

Yes it does bro, yes it does.

 

And a note about the sequels.  I've played a lot of them, but they never quite captured the magic of the original.  Can't put my finger on it, but it might be that such an original concept can only be truly experienced with the wonder and discovery of the first time.  I imagine that whoever plays this series probably appreciates the first game they played more than any others.

I'll quickly mirror what Reed already said - I like seeing them brought back up. By all means, comment on 'em all!

[RH | 4,895]

18 hours ago, wongojack said:

Sorry to keep digging up these old polls, but I like talking about games . . .

Katamari Damacy 10/10

• The quirky-weird story shouldn't work but it does
• The weird controls shouldn't work but they do
• The core concept shouldn't work but is absolutely awesome

This is also a game where people who don't like video games generally like this game.  Even people who complain about how they haven't played a game since they added a second button can somehow hold a dual shock for the first time and pick up a virtual staple and LOVE it.  My most recent experience with the game was with my older brother.  I was showing him how I modded up a PS2 and added a bunch of hard drive games.  He says "Does it have Katamari?  I loved playing that with my kids when they were little."

Yes it does bro, yes it does.

 

And a note about the sequels.  I've played a lot of them, but they never quite captured the magic of the original.  Can't put my finger on it, but it might be that such an original concept can only be truly experienced with the wonder and discovery of the first time.  I imagine that whoever plays this series probably appreciates the first game they played more than any others.

 

18 hours ago, Reed Rothchild said:

No way, keep at it.  They have no "sell by" date.

 

17 hours ago, Gloves said:

I'll quickly mirror what Reed already said - I like seeing them brought back up. By all means, comment on 'em all!

I don't mind them either.  It's almost like our motto could be "VGS: We're not against necro-bumps!"

[Bearcat-Doug | 5,104]

On 11/3/2022 at 3:51 PM, Gloves said:

I'll quickly mirror what Reed already said - I like seeing them brought back up. By all means, comment on 'em all!

I still don't know what this is. 

[JamesRobot | 5,786]

On 11/3/2022 at 1:22 PM, wongojack said:

Sorry to keep digging up these old polls, but I like talking about games . . .

Katamari Damacy 10/10

• The quirky-weird story shouldn't work but it does
• The weird controls shouldn't work but they do
• The core concept shouldn't work but is absolutely awesome

This is also a game where people who don't like video games generally like this game.  Even people who complain about how they haven't played a game since they added a second button can somehow hold a dual shock for the first time and pick up a virtual staple and LOVE it.  My most recent experience with the game was with my older brother.  I was showing him how I modded up a PS2 and added a bunch of hard drive games.  He says "Does it have Katamari?  I loved playing that with my kids when they were little."

Yes it does bro, yes it does.

 

And a note about the sequels.  I've played a lot of them, but they never quite captured the magic of the original.  Can't put my finger on it, but it might be that such an original concept can only be truly experienced with the wonder and discovery of the first time.  I imagine that whoever plays this series probably appreciates the first game they played more than any others.

Thanks for bumping this.  I'm playing Katamari Reroll cause if it.

[Link | 2,708]

On 11/7/2022 at 3:45 PM, Bearcat-Doug said:

I still don't know what this is. 

It's a video game FRANCHISE.

[JamesRobot | 5,786]

5 hours ago, Link said:

It's a video game FRANCHISE.

Yes, I'm sure he's at least aware of that much.  What I think Doug is getting at is, where do the Prince and the King of all Cosmos land among the Video Game Masters?  Or are they part of the League of Darkness? 

@Mario_Friend1982