Rumor: Beautiful Katamari to hit Xbox 360, PS3, Wii this year

by John Bardinelli { Mar 18th 2007 at 10:02AM }

According to Orange Lounge Radio, Namco has announced to retailers that a new Katamari game will arrive on all three major consoles later this year. The Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of Beautiful Katamari will hit October 17th for $39.99, while Wii owners have to wait until November 14th and pay $29.99. Creator Keita Takahashi has stepped down from the Katamari series and is working on other projects, but it looks like Namco isn't ready to give up on the Prince.

The story hasn't been verified by Namco, but OLR insists their information is legit. They even have a forum post defending themselves and cite a reliable source who works in video game distribution. Xboxic corroborates the information with a Blockbuster release schedule showing Beautiful Katamari in mid-October.

You'll have to excuse our skepticism. With so many early April Fools shenanigans going on, it's hard to take anything at face value.

Tags: damacy, katamari, namco, ps3, rumor, wii, xbox360

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

ZenGaijin @ Mar 18th 2007 10:36AM

And all three console fans sing united "La La La La La LaLa La La La La La LaLa La"

Katamari Damacy

Koopaknight29 @ Mar 18th 2007 10:36AM

Sounds cool if this is true. I like the Katamari series and am glad that I don't have to pay extra for another console just to play it.

Joshua @ Mar 18th 2007 10:41AM

I believe it. While any "news" in April issues of magazines is suspect, this bit of information comes from an online source, dated March 16 -- hardly April 1. It only makes sense Namco would want to continue a series like this even without Takahashi.

Kite @ Mar 18th 2007 11:02AM

@Zengaijin

And right after the world is at peace, the fanboys united and the hate erased, the universe collapses.

There shall be no peace between the 3 factions :D

Congrats at your comment though, it made me laugh. And I really liked katamari on ps2 (played it at friends house), and the 'dreaded' tune of katamari on the rocks. Count me in!

Capt. Castellanos @ Mar 18th 2007 11:15AM

sweet fancy moses.

i cannot wait!

ALH @ Mar 18th 2007 11:16AM

god, i hope so bad that this is true =/

id probably be lame enough to buy two versions too. my gamerscore demands feeding.

chenry @ Mar 18th 2007 11:50AM

oh god this better be true or else i will be very sad :(

32_Footsteps @ Mar 18th 2007 12:05PM

I suppose there's a chance it's true. After all, Namco did put The Prince in Pac-Man World Rally. They're obviously not too concerned with whether or not Keita Takahashi is involved.

Patrick @ Mar 18th 2007 12:40PM

katarmi + xbla = orgasm

Wilbur @ Mar 18th 2007 1:05PM

@9... you need to get out more dude.

Asok @ Apr 1st 2007 6:31PM

Oh man, I can't wait if this is true.

mr mobius @ Mar 18th 2007 1:42PM

I'm just surprised that Wii version is cheaper because if they do katamari on wii, surely they'll have to add on motion sensitivity.

katamari is the type of game were graphics may not be as important as it is in other games, so could suit wii excellently.

Anonymous @ Mar 18th 2007 2:09PM

I love it how this story leapfrogged from Orange Lounge (which was certain it's true) to Kotaku (which was also certain it's true) and ended up on Joystiq, the first place to be even slightly skeptical about the story. Personally I'm fairly skeptical as well; I've been waiting for a Gundam game (for the Xbox 360) since it's supposed March 1st release (and now it's rumored to be a fall/winter release >< damn the internet rumor mill.) So kudos to all involved if this game actually makes it to stores before thanksgiving, I will gladly buy it (even though the creative mind behind the series left)

deaftly @ Mar 18th 2007 2:13PM

another sony exclusive down the drain

Seroth @ Mar 18th 2007 2:48PM

I'm hoping that if this is true, the Wii and 360 versions are different enough to warrant purchasing both. I'd get the Wii version for what better be super-special-awesome controls. I'd get the 360 version for achievements and possible online play (and I guess improved graphics, which you don't really need for Katamari, but having loads of crap on screen with no slowdown would be wonderful).

BPM @ Mar 18th 2007 3:04PM

Would you stop saying "super-special-awesome"?! It stopped being funny 15 episodes ago!

Anyhoo... While I am hopeful for new Katamari games (and it's unlikely Namco would let the series die THAT quickly), I won't believe this until an announcement is made by Namco.

ZenGaijin @ Mar 18th 2007 3:17PM

Super special ultra sexy transformation sequence go!

Anonymous @ Mar 18th 2007 3:33PM

The raw horsepower of the Xbox 360 would make for an insane number of items and characters on screen at one time. I don't see why you couldn't have 32 or even 64 player Katamari death matches over Xbox Live. The only possible hangup is that the 360 requires games to be atleast 720p, which is great, but it might make for less characters on screen (no less than the PS2 versions though). Overall this is a great day for Katamari fans (I imported the game before Namco ever thought of porting it themselves) unless this turns out to be false information. In which case I'd be pissed and destroy the cosmos. But you wouldn't want that to happen, would you Namco?

Rubang B @ Mar 18th 2007 4:42PM

Well there goes another $30 into my "holiday season video game binge" envelope.

burninhell @ Mar 18th 2007 7:04PM

This is great news. Its also great if Namco is supporting all three systems and not focusing primarily on PS3...maybe Soul Calibur IV will also appear on multiple systems...I'm leaning more toward 360 than PS3 but I MUST have Soul Calibur...

Ghost @ Mar 18th 2007 8:18PM

100% bullshit.

Crono @ Mar 19th 2007 10:29AM

ACK! #19 stole my name!!

yo yo mama @ Mar 19th 2007 5:15PM

I pray this is true - i want the wii version - and I hope to hell i don't have to roll-up nintendo characters like mario, yoshi & etc.

Not really sure how the controls would work... 2 nunchucks? My wife would wag the ps2 controller in the air.... maybe the wii version is more her bag afterall .