A collection of Katamari craziness
by Conrad Quilty-Harper 
{ Feb 5th 2006 at 8:00AM }
Eurogamer have posted an article that covers the fan culture surrounding We Love Katamari, a game that's fast on its way to becoming a cultural icon. The combination of the (near) total lack of official merchandise from Namco and an extremely rabid fanbase has meant that there's been a global movement for do-it-yourself merchandise. The variety of the work created by fans of the game is astounding. There's everything from Katamari themed food and cosplay (pictured above) to checkbooks and graffiti in toilet cubicles. Now that the game is available in Europe maybe we'll see another wave of gamers proving that they too love Katamari.
[Via digg]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Guy @ Feb 10th 2006 10:59AM
What are you guys NOT smoking?
Besides some of you seem to be getting a little too upset about this article. It's not like they're saying the game is inciting teens to do drugs and kill. I'm actually a little surprised that d-bag Jack Thompson hasn't tried making a connection.
Katamari has to be the trippiest console game since rez and the most simplistically fun game since tetris. I only wish they'd finally come out with a version for the DS or at least decide weather or not they're going to.
People I know who don't even like video games or drugs love KD.
Sure the prince may not be a cultural icon or anything (although I would say that the game is already a cult classic) but many gamers I know find that these games are some of the best for the ps2. In fact they're the games that sealed the deal for me getting (well... I wasn't about to pay for one) a ps2. If it was just Burnout I was after, I'd have gotten an x-box. I might even get a psp now (although I'm definitely not throwing down 250 for one) if the Katamari game for it turns out to be a winner. Gods know they have the only decent handheld Burnout game.
You haters should try rolling up something else (something green & fuzzy you can smoke) then you might understand this unique and ingeniously light game. You might get a little less uptight about gamers opinions too. Looks like you need to relax anyway.
Cassandra @ Feb 15th 2007 11:05AM
Okay, so after reading all the comments, everything sounds pretty ridiculous. It's a game! It's not like we're electing it to be the ruler of the world or something; it's just a game. I don't know about how it did globally or anything, but I know that when I bought the game for my friend for his birthday, we were in awe.
The opening song came on with the crazy trippy opening video and we were already hooked. Plus, the music is so addicting. Despite the fact that the goal of the game is a bit different, it was an awesome game and anyone that was there went and bought the game.
I think the reason it hasn't sold well is that there haven't been any commercials in America. I've looked on Youtube and found Japanese commercials, but never anything in English. Plus, half the time, even if there is press in a magazine or something, people only read about what they recognize. New Mario game, new Zelda game, new Grand Theft Auto getting in trouble because parents don't agree with it, etc. Those are the things people want to read about: something they recognize. Katamari Damacy hasn't been around long enough to get some long-lasting fandom and they haven't gotten any advertising that the mass gamers know about because most of it is in Japan. People mentioned all this press, press I've never heard of. My friend that I bought the game for had heard of it on GameSpot. Which reviews many games, but out of all the games the site reviews, my friend chose KD.
So why is there so much arguing over one little article, especially if you don't even care about the game?
HawaiiRoxyGurl @ May 11th 2007 3:51PM
LOL superzapper2000! I wish my Katamari rolling looked that neat and compact! Then maybe it would be easier to control and not run into things! *giggles* And I can't wait for Beautiful Katamari to come out for the 360! Woot!
Jay @ Feb 5th 2006 9:09AM
Maybe I just dont 'get' all this Katamari stuff, but its being heralded as this almight game because its so 'unique' with different gameplay like. Have these people never played a Nintendo, Commodore, Mac machine before? Or have never played a freeware PC game? Or does this get special attention because its the first non-sport, non-FPS, non-RPG, non-GC or DC port game on the PS2?
I liked Katamari but yea. I'm just lost with this "cultural icon" status a rather average game is getting.
dotun.o @ Feb 5th 2006 9:45AM
I have to agree with Jay; while I've played a bit of this game and it's really nice, it would be no more outstanding than several other innovative games had it been on a Nintendo system, most especially the DS. I think the furor is due to its relative uniqueness on the PS2.
Lucca @ Feb 5th 2006 10:39AM
Well, I`d simply love to have something katamariish, but then again, i already do! I`ve got the bookmarks, the airplane, the giraffe mini-hat, all paper, useless, but its Katamari Damacy, HEY! But I wouldn`t go far as cosplaying or eBay hunting.
KATAMARI FOREVER! No matter how irritating/boring/non-innovative to other people it may be.
Anand @ Feb 5th 2006 11:19AM
@dotun.o
I don't really agree. The PS2 has a ton of innovative games on the system. Games like Amplitude, Rez, and my personal favorite Eye Toy Kinetic. There are innovative games on all systems, but it seems that Nintendo's innovative games receive the most attention.
Jay @ Feb 5th 2006 11:33AM
Rez was a DC game, thats what I said in my original post. "non-DC games".
This is why the PS2 did so well. Take a look in any shop and its all the same old same old. a million and one Mario 64 clones, RPG's, sports games, WW2 stuff... most people don't like innovative new stuff with their consoles. hell if the PSP had quality regular games then it would probably be doing better than the DS.
Katamari is just the most mainstream unique game. its like listening to rock on MTV. Its not real rock, its Avril Lavinge and those other pop artists with guitars. Those who like real rock would go elsewhere, the underground stations, internet channels etc.
Badison @ Feb 5th 2006 1:19PM
I love Katamari Damacy, lots of simple fun. Plus, I like Namco alot in general (Taiko Drums and this get the most play on my psp and are the easiest for other people to pick up). I'm not sure what the problem is with people getting really into it.
Also, I'm not sure what you meant by mario 64 clones, post#5 Jay. Name a few mario 64 clones, also what makes it unique? It was just a 3D platformer with the nintendo theme/touch (yes, I played through the whole thing). And your analogy is a bit weird, does that mean something easy to get into by the majority is mainstream?
Badison @ Feb 5th 2006 1:24PM
lol oops! Jay #5, I get this part "Katamari is just the most mainstream unique game." I got lost in your music analogy, ignore my last sentence, I get what you meant!
mudcrab @ Feb 5th 2006 2:11PM
I'm a 30+ die hard gamer. I've played it all, own all systems, and have been a rabid gamer since childhood. Let me say that Katamari Damacy has just made a spot in my list of all time top 5 favorite games. It's like crack!! The music, the insane graphics, the simple gameplay. It's a perfect game, and can be bought for $20! Go ahead and hate it if you want, but that's like saying a baby deer is ugly, or chocolate chip cookies really piss you off. This game is the frosting on top of my game library.
ZaBlanc @ Feb 5th 2006 2:33PM
Nintendo does innovate a TON, but there are other innovative games. DDR and Katamari are premiers and they should get their due.
You'll never get every person to like a certain game. I hated RE4 with a passion. But, Katamri is dear to my heart and is a big reason this Nintendo fanboy also bought a PS2. :-)
Stop hatin' on Katamari just because it isn't Nintendo. It makes you look like an idiot.
Love. Don't hate.
Tom @ Feb 5th 2006 2:44PM
As a European I got to play We Love Katamari for the first time this weekemd and both my girlfriend and I are loving it. I've not felt this way about games since the Amiga!
Oh and Eurogamer 4TW!
Jay @ Feb 5th 2006 3:38PM
Did I say I didn't like it? "I liked Katamari" and again just so the lower intelligence folk here see it "I liked Katamari". one more for good luck! "I liked Katamari"
Reading is a vital skill. I mean seriously ZaBlanc. Nintendo make 1/3 of the most innovative games I've played. Dreamcast was full of such creative titles, the Commodore Amiga was an epic hot spot of amazing unique games. But no. you just heard Nintendo. You must be special.
I like Katamai. it's alright. all I've ever said was that people are hailing this to be the one and only innovative game ever when frankly some freeware PC games are better.
superzapper2000 @ Feb 5th 2006 7:58PM
Anyone seen the Anthrax album cover for Stomp 442.It's a giant rolled up ball of junk.The album was released back in 1995.
http://www.thirdav.com/hd_discog/img/stomp442.html
Varian @ Feb 5th 2006 11:26PM
Katamari Damacy being a 'huge hit' is nothing more than a myth.
Has the game even sold a million units WORLDWIDE? Perhaps only if you add up all the sequels. The only people who are 'raving' about this game are game journalists and a few developers. The gamers' reaction? Look at the sales. Cultural icon my foot. This game is not selling that well.
Keep in mind that Katamari Damacy is sold AS A BUDGET TITLE. And even with all this free press and attention, it still cannot sell that well.
Contrast this to, say, DS games which are more expensive but sell more copies. Do we get this same amount of press on, say, Nintendogs? Or what about Animal Crossing? What about Brain Trainer and the Professor? Of course not.
There are other innovative games that have come out on all systems but have recieved little to no attention (yet they sold better).
This idea that 'Katamari Damacy' is this great glorious hit is simply a myth. It's a budget priced title that sold fairly little. If people love it, that is fine but they are, and will forever be, in the vast vast minority.
Note to Gaming Press: Shut up about Katamari Damacy.
Zero_ @ Feb 6th 2006 12:56AM
"Has the game even sold a million units WORLDWIDE? Perhaps only if you add up all the sequels. The only people who are 'raving' about this game are game journalists and a few developers. The gamers' reaction? Look at the sales. Cultural icon my foot. This game is not selling that well."
One game has not sold more than a million, but certainly the 3 games combined, yes. You're suggesting because it didn't sell well, it can't be a cultural icon? Look at ICO and see that game sales don't matter.
"Have these people never played a Nintendo,"
Yeah, played Mario, Pokemon and more Mario. Seriously though, yes, Nintendo innovates in it's hardware (Only until recently actually), but it's games are still are still the same rehashes. There's nothing wrong with that, there are people who like that stuff and I don't blame them, but when you say games on the PS2 don't innovate as much as the Gamecube, you are incorrect.
Come on people. Stop picking on this game and start a PS2 vs GC war. If the GC innovates so much, why isn't it as popular?
The Katamary series is fun. I've enjoyed it very much and I'm not suprised by this cult following.
Varian @ Feb 6th 2006 4:51AM
"One game has not sold more than a million, but certainly the 3 games combined, yes. You're suggesting because it didn't sell well, it can't be a cultural icon? Look at ICO and see that game sales don't matter."
I will tell you what the low sales show (especially with it priced at $20 as a budget title). IT SHOWS VAST MAJORITY OF GAMERS DON'T CARE!!!
The reason why Katamari Damacy even came to the west was because it was well recieved at a developer's conference. The orgasms over Katamari Damacy has been among gaming press and developers, not the gamers. This is important because it shows the gaming industry wants to keep trying to 'make popular' a game that people simply do not like.
The ink spilled gushing about this game is ridiculous when you consider its very modest sales and budget pricing. Even with ALL the hype, this game still doesn't sell.
To those that love it, that is fine. But to say it is becoming a cultural icon is silly. Cultural icons of games appear because of their high sales and popularity among all demographics. Pac-Man is a cultural icon. Mario is a cultural icon. Dragonquest and Final Fantasy are not (except in Japan). Pikmin is not a cultural icon. Rez is not a cultural icon. Ico is not a cultural icon.
Do you even know what cultural icon is? A cultural icon is not made because a few dorks make a cake over a video game. A cultural icon doesn't magically appear because people dress up as the characters. A cultural icon appears because the game is so popular that it becomes intermeshed within the culture. Katamari Damacy is simply not popular. This doesn't mean it is a good or bad game. But if we have to lower the definition of 'cultural icon' so low to mean only cakes and pictures, then a thousand more popular games end up being more qualified.
Look at this quote from the article: "There's even one video born of Katamari fandom that I haven't managed to find yet, but it sounds superb. I'm reliably informed there exists a video of some kids making a real life katamari ball out of some kind of sticky material. They go on to unveil this marvellous thing to the camera and test it - whereupon they realise that things stuck to the katamari don't magically become sticky like they do in the game, and their disappointment is palpable and sphincter-clenchingly hilarious."
The writer hasn't even seen the video yet he gives us these juicy adjectives and literary waxings on 'what he has been told' about a video. This is not only absurd, it is bad journalism.
This is not a genuine article. It is a hack piece. All you need to know is the very bottom that reads: "We Love Katamari is released today on PS2 in Europe."
This is not a legitimate article on 'fandom' of Katamari Damacy. This is an advertisement written for the release of the PS2 game.
I'm not opposed to Katamari Damacy being insanely popular. But what I'm opposed to is hack pieces and bad journalism which are put out only to sell a game. This is a prime example of one.
We, the gaming audience, need to identify these 'advertisements' masquerading as game journalism and shoot them down immediately. I'm tired of this BS.