Get used to it now, because you're going to read the Pac-Man / Katamari comparison a lot regarding Namco Bandai's The Munchables for Wii. Check out this latest trailer and you'll instantly see why. Essentially, the goal of the game is to eat everything in sight -- that's the Pac-Man part, see -- which in turn causes the main character to grow larger -- and there's the Katamari part. Watch closely and you'll even notice areas that require players to reach a specific size before they can be accessed, which is also similar to Katamari. The opening cinematic also shares some of Katamari's distinctive eccentricity.
On a side note, we're really digging the old-school cartoon sound effects employed by the game. They really help to offset the grisly reality that this thing is eating every living creature in its vicinity ... and it's the good guy.
I have to admit, something eating everything in sight, including living things, is a lot creepier than having a weird alien dude rolling around a big magnetic ball.
I think Katamari has a much cooler point of view, which changes as you get more stuff. Though the Katamari camera does consistently make me nauseous.
Plus this guy isn't really eating everything. If it was true to the Katamari style of play, he'd start eating all those little fences, then the trees, and eventually the whole island...
Clearly The Maw and this are related in their gameplay, but don't confuse being similar with being "ripped off." The game mechanic of eating things and growing bigger has been around for a long, long time (going back to the old 2D snake games).
Also, even simple games will take a year or more of development to make. Being as The Maw was just recently released, this game was likely in development long before anyone had actually played Maw.
It's also possible that development on this game even started before The Maw, but just took longer to get out.
Man, no kidding about the Katamari thing. I wouldn't be surprised if this shared a game engine with Katamari. Everything from the interface layout to the motion blur as the camera zooms out.
Then again... both are Namco, so it wouldn't be unusual.
This looks fun. I'll wait for the reviews before making a final decision, but if the full game has a good length it and makes use of some online capabilities like Leaderboards, it might be worth a purchase...
I like games like this (like Katamari) that you can just throw in anytime and not have to worry about story or overly challenging goals/objectives.
Kinda reminds me of Crash Bandicoot. I dunno, Katamari Damaci was so much more special than this, so much more bizarre. I'm all for something else, something new, but this is neither.
Wow, this seems like a much cooler version of the DS title "Pac-N-Roll", a platformer spin on the Pac-Man series similar to Sonic the Hedgehog, only slower.
I haven't played it in ages, but it's remained in my library of DS titles with other obscure games like Super Princess Peach. (One of the more bizarre games to be released in the US, despite the sexist connotations it presents in the game play, utilizing emotional instability as a power-up.)
{ Apr 17th 2009 at 7:50PM } 
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Matisyahu Serious @ Apr 17th 2009 7:53PM
sight, rather...unless this is a web based game ; )
sorry to be that guy.
Moptimus Slime (Gobot in disguise) @ Apr 17th 2009 7:58PM
I-I'm speechless. This game is win
el serpiente @ Apr 17th 2009 8:29PM
Seriously? Speechless? Here, I have a ball on a string to show you...
BunnySlapper @ Apr 17th 2009 8:56PM
But what if he drops the ball? Oh, it's ok, because the ball is on a string and attached to the cup.
Ball on a cup!
Moptimus Slime (Gobot in disguise) @ Apr 17th 2009 9:21PM
OMG! Teh graffixs are soo realistic!
Saria the Cat @ Apr 17th 2009 8:00PM
I have to admit, something eating everything in sight, including living things, is a lot creepier than having a weird alien dude rolling around a big magnetic ball.
I think Katamari has a much cooler point of view, which changes as you get more stuff. Though the Katamari camera does consistently make me nauseous.
WiredKnight @ Apr 18th 2009 12:10AM
Plus this guy isn't really eating everything. If it was true to the Katamari style of play, he'd start eating all those little fences, then the trees, and eventually the whole island...
KaBob799 @ Apr 17th 2009 8:06PM
Looks neat, I'd pay $30 for it.
Fernando Rocker @ Apr 17th 2009 10:18PM
Good luck then... this is in fact a $30 game... also, Klonoa will be $30 too.
Blue_Falcon @ Apr 17th 2009 8:08PM
This looks munch better than I was expecting.
BunnySlapper @ Apr 17th 2009 8:13PM
This looks to be very close to The Maw, but with a lot more irritating sound effects...
Bertrand @ Apr 17th 2009 8:53PM
Yes, how did Joystick miss the huge Maw rip-off? It owes it a lot more than to Pac-Man. Katamari for the scale effects sure, but Pac-Man over the Maw?
WiredKnight @ Apr 18th 2009 12:11AM
Is The Maw not also inspired by Pac-man?
Courtney @ Apr 18th 2009 3:04AM
Clearly The Maw and this are related in their gameplay, but don't confuse being similar with being "ripped off." The game mechanic of eating things and growing bigger has been around for a long, long time (going back to the old 2D snake games).
Also, even simple games will take a year or more of development to make. Being as The Maw was just recently released, this game was likely in development long before anyone had actually played Maw.
It's also possible that development on this game even started before The Maw, but just took longer to get out.
briannewton @ Apr 17th 2009 8:14PM
Is it just me or do half those sound effects sound like they're ripped straight from the Jetsons?
BigD145 @ Apr 17th 2009 8:22PM
Is that it? Couldn't we just make this into an animated short and just watch it? Or better yet, not watch it.
Chris Are @ Apr 17th 2009 8:38PM
The sound effects are a little obnoxious...
Kevlar @ Apr 17th 2009 9:01PM
Man, no kidding about the Katamari thing.
I wouldn't be surprised if this shared a game engine with Katamari. Everything from the interface layout to the motion blur as the camera zooms out.
Then again... both are Namco, so it wouldn't be unusual.
stickyzombie @ Apr 17th 2009 9:18PM
this game looks far too complicated for me
jim @ Apr 17th 2009 9:24PM
If you like this you may like nintendo's cubivore (for the gamecube)
Paul @ Apr 17th 2009 9:30PM
Looks more like Snake Rattle N' Roll than Pac-Man or Katamari.
gaddes @ Apr 17th 2009 10:12PM
that's exactly what I was thinking! All it needs is a giant hopping foot of doom...
Peter @ Apr 18th 2009 1:38AM
I said the same thing to my wife about 15 seconds into the trailer:
"Wow, this looks like Snake Rattle 'N Roll."
"...Wow, this REALLY looks like Snake Rattle 'N Roll."
"...How are they not getting sued by Rare for this?"
"...I really want to play this. Now."
The gameplay looks simple but addictive, much like Katamari Damacy. Here's hoping we don't have to wait too long for a US release.
warioman64 @ Apr 17th 2009 9:52PM
I am unsure how to feel about this game.
rockyman @ Apr 17th 2009 10:20PM
wow this looks alot better than I expected, and here I thought this would be some shovelware bullshit, good work Namco Bandai.
Fernando Rocker @ Apr 17th 2009 10:22PM
You guys need to see the trailer... some levels looks like Super Mario Galaxy...
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/47387.html?type=flv
damien @ Apr 17th 2009 11:27PM
Weird
j.howlett @ Apr 18th 2009 12:21AM
this looks like a game i could dig. i might play it for hours or a quick 10 minutes.
Feba @ Apr 18th 2009 5:50AM
Wow, looks more like Katamari mixed with de Blob and Mario to me. I could definitely see picking this up, if it's got enough to do.
Dummy00001 @ Apr 18th 2009 6:03AM
Damm, Joystiq... Why you [censored] flash video player doesn't save sound level?????
Kyle @ Apr 18th 2009 6:23AM
DO WANT!
Neo Samurai @ Apr 18th 2009 10:31AM
it kinda reminds me of the Maw, except fun
Gessepi @ Apr 18th 2009 11:45AM
I'll just pretend the pac-man is being rolled by a very small prince, then i'll play it for a while.
Cerpin Taxt @ Apr 18th 2009 11:49AM
The first trailer was the best thing ever AND Cubivore.
TheBrainninja @ Apr 18th 2009 12:55PM
Did you see the close up at the end?
F@$# YEAH SEAKING!!!
Jacksons @ Apr 18th 2009 1:27PM
Looks like it might be fun in short doses.
The Alex @ Apr 18th 2009 2:10PM
This looks fun. I'll wait for the reviews before making a final decision, but if the full game has a good length it and makes use of some online capabilities like Leaderboards, it might be worth a purchase...
I like games like this (like Katamari) that you can just throw in anytime and not have to worry about story or overly challenging goals/objectives.
ottoman673 @ Apr 18th 2009 3:36PM
...isn't this pretty much Noby Noby Boy?
Feba @ Apr 18th 2009 6:24PM
Not even close. At all.
jonathan @ Apr 18th 2009 6:20PM
I would buy this if it was on PSN and had enough diversity in levels.
Knives @ Apr 19th 2009 5:31AM
Kinda reminds me of Crash Bandicoot. I dunno, Katamari Damaci was so much more special than this, so much more bizarre. I'm all for something else, something new, but this is neither.
Bones3D @ Apr 19th 2009 7:10AM
Wow, this seems like a much cooler version of the DS title "Pac-N-Roll", a platformer spin on the Pac-Man series similar to Sonic the Hedgehog, only slower.
I haven't played it in ages, but it's remained in my library of DS titles with other obscure games like Super Princess Peach. (One of the more bizarre games to be released in the US, despite the sexist connotations it presents in the game play, utilizing emotional instability as a power-up.)
mr mobius @ Apr 19th 2009 11:02PM
I'm sorry but I'm dubious. If there is enough variety in gameplay then I might consider it, but it looks very linear and samey at the moment.