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Roll crap up on your mobile phone in Rolling with Katamari

11:47 AM on 11.04.2008, Nick Chester 23 comments

Roll crap up on your mobile phone in Rolling with Katamari photo
     Mobile gaming

Once original and quirky fun, Namco Bandai's Katamari series may have arguably already "jumped the shark." But this clinches it -- Namco Networks has announced that Rolling with Katamari, a mobile phone version of the series, is now available. 

The once hilarious, bizarre, and interesting premise is now familiar -- the King of All Cosmos has knocked the stars out of the sky, and it's up to you as the Prince to roll up Earthly objects to put the sparkle back into the sky. The mobile version contains 30 levels and five game modes, including Roll a Star, Roll a Color, Rock n Rolling Racing, Don't Touch, and Roll an Object. 

No word on which carriers Rolling With Katamari is available on, so fire up those Java-based cell phones now and let us know. More info on the game (including screens) can be found at the official Web site.

Katamari Rolls on to Mobile

Namco keeps the fun coming with Rolling with Katamari


SAN JOSE, Calif.—November 3, 2008—Namco Networks, a leading publisher and developer of mobile games and entertainment for mass-market casual gamers, today announced the availability of Rolling with Katamari ™. Based on the popular console hits—Katamari Damacy and Beautiful Katamari—Rolling with Katamari maintains the quirky gameplay while incorporating original levels made exclusively for the mobile experience.

The King of All Cosmos has accidentally knocked all the stars out of the sky during a crazy night out. It is up to the pint-sized Prince to put the twinkle back in the heavens. Players help him in his princely mission to create clusters of eclectic earthly objects fantastic enough to launch into space to replace the stars! Cockroaches, crabs and cars beware! Collect everything from hamburgers to the Eiffel Tower!

Going beyond crabs and cockroaches, on most phones players can also download seasonally themed content packs, keeping the game fresh. For example, in December’s holiday pack, players roll up Christmas trees, Santa, carolers and dreidels.

“This is a fascinatingly bizarre and addictive game that will have wide appeal to mobile gamers,” said Scott Rubin, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Namco Networks. “Like the console titles, Rolling with Katamari maintains a simple concept but provides an entertaining challenge in the midst of colorful imagery and a distinct soundtrack.”

The game offers more than 30 levels and five different game modes that keep the fun rolling for hours. Game modes include: Roll a Star, Roll a Color, Rock n Rolling Racing, Don’t Touch, and Roll an Object. As players move through the game collecting objects, they will enjoy the original Katamari music, along with the King's kooky quips. Hidden presents, like a crown, cellphone and guitar, can be rolled up along the way and are added to the player’s catalog of presents. To increase the challenge, players have the ability to customize the speed by selecting normal and fast settings.

Rolling with Katamari is available today on select national carriers. For more information, please visit, www.NamcoGames.com/Rolling-with-Katamari. To learn about Namco Networks’ other mobile games, please visit www.NamcoGames.com.

Next page: More Katamari Damacy stories




Aiya's Avatar
Aiya at 11/04/2008 11:57
oh man I would love to play some Katamari on my phone :3
falinter's Avatar
falinter at 11/04/2008 12:00
Katamari with Google Maps would be awesome. I would roll up my house like no tomorrow.
king3vbo's Avatar
king3vbo at 11/04/2008 12:02
That's just cool
atastysammich's Avatar
atastysammich at 11/04/2008 12:03
Alexradl's Avatar
Alexradl at 11/04/2008 12:07
Next gen graphix!
Tubatic's Avatar
Tubatic at 11/04/2008 12:08
As a guy that plays cell phone games all the time, I think 2D katamari s a great idea that probably plays pretty well, too.

Actually looking forward to checking this one out.
nintendoll's Avatar
nintendoll at 11/04/2008 12:15
I think the 8-bit graphics look cute <3
Blind assassin's Avatar
Blind assassin at 11/04/2008 12:42
I guess being 2D gets around some camera and control issues but I'll still say it--camera and control issues much?
superflossy's Avatar
superflossy at 11/04/2008 12:42
ooooh cool! it's like the minigames at the end of the first katamari. WANT.
Iggy's Avatar
Iggy at 11/04/2008 12:50
It's available on verizon if anyone is wondering. It's not that bad, honestly.
RoboSheep's Avatar
RoboSheep at 11/04/2008 12:55
Katamari was good for two games. There hasn't been a worthwhile expansion of the "franchise that should not be" since then.
Prophecy Zero's Avatar
Prophecy Zero at 11/04/2008 13:05
Agreed. This doth not bode well.
el_chack's Avatar
el_chack at 11/04/2008 13:08
I'm interested in it, at least to watch it in action only.
Jonathan Holmes's Avatar
Jonathan Holmes at 11/04/2008 13:15
I see absolutely no reason why this couldn't be fantastic. Likewise, it could completely suck.

What I really want though it the 2D Katamari game at the end of Me and My Katamari to be it's own game. That's how you do pixel-based roll-up fun.
entrager's Avatar
entrager at 11/04/2008 13:24
It doesn't look like ass at all!
heyricochet's Avatar
heyricochet at 11/04/2008 13:54
Played the first level, somewhat boring so far but there was only four different items to roll up. Its almost like katamari on rails because you press up to go and then he just keeps running and you press left or right to steer. When you run into stuff he just keeps running, and its not like running into a wall in the full game. We'll see if I get more game time in tonight during watching election results.
Guagloves's Avatar
Guagloves at 11/04/2008 13:57
Katamari on the DS in 2D could be freaking awesome.
chronoswing's Avatar
chronoswing at 11/04/2008 15:41
No AT&T!? FUCK YOU NAMCO/BANDAI!!!
whormongr's Avatar
whormongr at 11/04/2008 21:53
katamari kicked ass on the psp..
nebones's Avatar
nebones at 11/05/2008 01:21
Maybe I'll get it, maybe I won't?
Holyetheline's Avatar
Holyetheline at 11/05/2008 11:01
Looks like a good time for when you're going poop away from home.
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