Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Katamari comic starts soon, greet the sun and the King of All Cosmos]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/14/katamari-comic-starts-soon-greet-the-sun-and-the-king-of-all-co/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/14/katamari-comic-starts-soon-greet-the-sun-and-the-king-of-all-co/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/14/katamari-comic-starts-soon-greet-the-sun-and-the-king-of-all-co/#comments Katamari gets a webcomic, actually looks great
Katamari is taking on comic form with a new online series from Alex Culang and Raynato Castro, the pair currently penning Buttersafe.

The comic run begins September 17 and will be updated every Monday and Wednesday at 5 a.m. PST, over at ShiftyLook. Destructoid has a preview of the Katamari comic, featuring the Prince of All Cosmos and his father, the King With A Chiseled Chin (name paraphrased).

Culang and Castro will be at New York Comic-Con, running October 11 - 14, dropping all the details post-premiere.

JoystiqKatamari comic starts soon, greet the sun and the King of All Cosmos originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Sep 2012 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ButtersafecomicsKatamariKatamari+DamacyKatamari-Damacynew-york-comic-con-2012ShiftyLookwebcomicFri, 14 Sep 2012 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA['Man vs. Katamari' rolls us up into a ball of terror]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/03/man-vs-katamari-rolls-us-up-into-a-ball-of-terror/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/03/man-vs-katamari-rolls-us-up-into-a-ball-of-terror/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/03/man-vs-katamari-rolls-us-up-into-a-ball-of-terror/#comments Naaaaaaaaaa na na na na na na na, na naaaaa naaaaaa na naaaaa naaaaaaaaaaaa. Naaaaaaaaaaaaaa na na na na na na na, na naaaaa naaaaa na na naaaa naaaa naaaa naaaa naaaaaaaaaaaa.

Joystiq'Man vs. Katamari' rolls us up into a ball of terror originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Jul 2011 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brandon-laatschfreddie-wongKatamarikatamari-damacyMan-vs-Katamarinightmare-worldsSun, 03 Jul 2011 21:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Namco Bandai files for 'Katamari Amore,' 'Time Trip' trademarks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/28/namco-bandai-files-for-katamari-amore-time-trip-trademarks/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/28/namco-bandai-files-for-katamari-amore-time-trip-trademarks/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/28/namco-bandai-files-for-katamari-amore-time-trip-trademarks/#comments Siliconera has turned up listings for four trademark applications that Namco Bandai recently submitted to the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (the trademark registry for the European Union). While all of the potential trademarks have been filed under general video game-related classifications, two are explicitly linked to the publisher's Katamari Damacy franchise.

Filings for "Katamari Amore" and "Katamari Amore Rolling Whopper" indicate that Namco Bandai might be preparing to roll out a new entry in the ball-it-up series. (That, or maybe two great kings are forming a strategic alliance for fast food promotion.)

It's been nearly seven months since Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi left Nacmo Bandai for good; though he wasn't directly involved with the last four Katamari games, which marked a steady decline for the brand. 2009's HD iteration, Katamari Forever for PS3, did little to update the played out formula, and Namco Bandai has shelved the series since.

Namco Bandai filed two additional trademark applications, for "Time Trip" and "Have a nice trip!," along with the Katamari ones, but there's no clear relation between the set. Of course, anything "Trip" calls to mind one-half of the dynamic duo in last year's critical darling Enslaved -- not that we're calling these vague 'marks any indication of a sequel.

[Pictured: Beautiful Katamari]

JoystiqNamco Bandai files for 'Katamari Amore,' 'Time Trip' trademarks originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eueuropehave-a-nice-tripkatamarikatamari-amorekatamari-amore-rolling-whopperkatamari-damacynamco-bandaiohimtime-triptrademarkMon, 28 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Keita Takahashi 'not completely satisfied' with Noby Noby Boy, blames budget]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/keita-takahashi-not-completely-satisfied-with-noby-noby-boy-b/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/keita-takahashi-not-completely-satisfied-with-noby-noby-boy-b/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/keita-takahashi-not-completely-satisfied-with-noby-noby-boy-b/#comments
Was Noby Noby Boy misunderstood by the gaming masses? Creator Keita Takahashi seems to think so, as he believes the game's limited resources didn't fully realize his vision. "Ultimately, with Noby Noby Boy, I wanted to break the barriers between toy and game," Takahashi explained to Develop. "But for me personally, a bit more could have been done to the game. I'm not completely satisfied with the game, in terms of quality, due to the restrictions on budgets."

Takahashi, famous for his work on the original Katamari Damacy, has been surprisingly forthcoming on Noby's budget (or lack thereof). Had Takahashi been given additional resources he believes the game would have reached a much larger audience. "I won't go in to what I wanted to add to the game, because that's a really long list of things, but as an overall assessment, I think the game could have been much more detailed and easier for everyone to understand."

It appears Noby's shortcomings won't stop Takahashi from working on an even crazier design. Already, he's thinking of a new project, one that "is even harder to explain than Noby Noby Boy." Fans of Takahashi's works wouldn't want it any other way -- but we wonder if publisher Namco Bandai will embrace an even more experimental game.

JoystiqKeita Takahashi 'not completely satisfied' with Noby Noby Boy, blames budget originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>katamarikeita-takahashinamco-bandainoby-noby-boyThu, 29 Oct 2009 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Katamari Forever rolls into stores with one final puppet video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/21/katamari-forever-rolls-into-stores-with-one-final-puppet-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/21/katamari-forever-rolls-into-stores-with-one-final-puppet-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/21/katamari-forever-rolls-into-stores-with-one-final-puppet-video/#commentsNamco has released one last trailer for Katamari Forever to coincide with its release this week. Once again, the questionably-sober hand puppets return to talk about why they think Katamari Forever is the best Katamari game yet. It's a surreal video that makes us feel like we're watching Adult Swim while, um, eating brownies -- something Katamari creator Keita Takahashi claims he doesn't do. After watching this trailer, we're not entirely sure we believe him.

Gallery: Katamari Forever

JoystiqKatamari Forever rolls into stores with one final puppet video originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>420katamarikatamari-forevernamco-bandaipuppetstrailerMon, 21 Sep 2009 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Katamari Forever goes gold, rolls into stores on September 22]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/28/katamari-forever-goes-gold-rolls-into-stores-on-september-22/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/28/katamari-forever-goes-gold-rolls-into-stores-on-september-22/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/28/katamari-forever-goes-gold-rolls-into-stores-on-september-22/#comments
Namco Bandai has announced that their upcoming PS3 exclusive Katamari Forever has gone gold. That means it's done. Finished. Kaput.

The upcoming Blu-ray release will retail for $49.99, which is about 17% cheaper than the average PS3 game, and about 250% more than what we wanted to pay for the game. While Forever promises a good deal of content and a variety of visual filters, we're not entirely sure if PS3 owners are willing to pay such a high premium on what is, essentially, an HD remix of past Katamari games. The temptation of an easy Platinum may attract Trophy hunters, but we have a feeling many of you will be skipping on this release until the (inevitable) price drop.

Gallery: Katamari Forever

JoystiqKatamari Forever goes gold, rolls into stores on September 22 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>goldkatamarikatamari-damacykatamari-forevernamco-bandaiFri, 28 Aug 2009 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Katamari Forever demo squashes Japanese PSN tomorrow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/22/katamari-forever-demo-squashes-japanese-psn-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/22/katamari-forever-demo-squashes-japanese-psn-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/22/katamari-forever-demo-squashes-japanese-psn-tomorrow/#comments
Alongside the Japanese release of Katamari Forever, andriasang.com reports that a demo is rolling out on the Japanese PSN tomorrow. While we're sure this information is particularly useful to our Japanese readers, it should also come in handy for those of you who have "friends" with a Japanese PSN account.

For those that have somehow steered clear of the delightful madness that is Katamari Forever, this new entry in the series includes spiffy graphical filters, SIXAXIS support and some new twists on the classic Katamari gameplay. You can read all about it in our recent preview. Or, if you'd rather, you can just listen to some puppets explain it.

JoystiqKatamari Forever demo squashes Japanese PSN tomorrow originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japankatamarikatamari-forevernamconamco-bandaipsnWed, 22 Jul 2009 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Let the hand puppets explain Katamari Forever]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/11/video-let-the-hand-puppets-explain-katamari-forever/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/11/video-let-the-hand-puppets-explain-katamari-forever/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/11/video-let-the-hand-puppets-explain-katamari-forever/#comments Utilizing the most epic form of storytelling -- the hand puppet -- this new commercial from Japan sheds some light on the upcoming Katamari Forever game. Two animal puppets guide us through a series of gameplay clips, showing off some more of KF's classic levels (most seem to come from We Love Katamari, such as the Snowman and Race Track levels).

Katamari Forever will hit Japan on the 23rd of next month, while a worldwide release hasn't yet been determined. But don't worry, it shouldn't be too long before the game rolls our way.

JoystiqVideo: Let the hand puppets explain Katamari Forever originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>katamarikatamari-damacykatamari-damacy-tributekatamari-forevernamconamco-bandaiThu, 11 Jun 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A 'real' Katamari controller]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/25/a-real-katamari-controller/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/25/a-real-katamari-controller/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/25/a-real-katamari-controller/#comments
In the photo above you'll see Kelly Farrell -- and she's a hell of a lot smarter than us. The twentysomething created, with the help of hacking collective NYC Resistor, a Katamari Damacy controller that uses a real ball. The big silver metal ball uses an optical mouse along with [technical jargon goes here] to make a very cool controller.

Originally, Kelly wanted to use a full-sized yoga ball, but the rubber was too resistant and didn't play well with the other components. Check out her video after the break to get a more detailed explanation of how it all works.

Continue reading A 'real' Katamari controller

JoystiqA 'real' Katamari controller originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 May 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controllerhackkatamarikatamari-damacykellbotMon, 25 May 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Katamari Tribute features four adjustable visual filters ]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/10/katamari-tribute-features-four-adjustable-visual-filters/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/10/katamari-tribute-features-four-adjustable-visual-filters/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/10/katamari-tribute-features-four-adjustable-visual-filters/#comments Can you spot the difference between the four Katamari Damacy Tribute images seen above? All four pictures showcase a different visual filter used in the game, and according to Siliconera, this change in art style and appearance can be adjusted by the player. The four filters are: classic, colored pencil, wood grain and cel-shaded.

Now, the question is: Which image corresponds to the right filter? We could just tell you, but we thought you'd have more fun playing a guessing game. So which one is which? Answers are after the break, no peeking!

Continue reading Katamari Tribute features four adjustable visual filters

JoystiqKatamari Tribute features four adjustable visual filters originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>katamarikatamari-damacykatamari-damacy-tributenamconamco-bandaiFri, 10 Apr 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Katamari Damacy Tribute coming to PS3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/25/katamari-damacy-tribute-coming-to-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/25/katamari-damacy-tribute-coming-to-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/25/katamari-damacy-tribute-coming-to-ps3/#comments Did Noby Noby Boy whet your appetite for more quirky Japanese magic? Keita Takahashi's original ball-rolling creation is returning in a brand new PS3 game, Katamari Damacy Tribute. According to Siliconera, the new title will be presented in full 1080p HD and will feature a "new visual presentation." The soundtrack features remixes from previous titles, which in conjunction with the title, suggests the Tribute may be a hodgepodge of previous games in the series.

Stay tuned for more details.

JoystiqKatamari Damacy Tribute coming to PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>katamariKatamari+Damacykatamari-damacykatamari-damacy-tributekeita-takahashiNamconamco-bandaiWed, 25 Mar 2009 00:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Katamari creator's Nobi Nobi Boy coming to TGS 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/katamari-creators-nobi-nobi-boy-coming-to-tgs-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/katamari-creators-nobi-nobi-boy-coming-to-tgs-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/katamari-creators-nobi-nobi-boy-coming-to-tgs-2008/#commentsFiled under:

Two things surprise us about Namco Bandai's announced Tokyo Game Show lineup: the complete dearth of Katamari titles and, coincidentally, the inclusion of Katamari creator Keita Takahashi's Nobi Nobi Boy for PlayStation 3, a title we haven't heard about since October 2007. According to the publisher (via Siliconera), the game (the title literally translates to "Stretch Stretch Boy") will be shown in video form only, a bit surprising considering the playable prototype that appeared last year at GameCity.

Namco Bandai's lineup includes 29 titles, including Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm and the multiplatform Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2. Interestingly, the publisher is also showing off four PlayStation 2 titles, edging out Sony's support of PS2 at this TGS by a margin of 4 to 0.

JoystiqKatamari creator's Nobi Nobi Boy coming to TGS 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>katamarikeita-takahashinamco-bandainobi-nobi-boyPS3tgs-2008tokyo-game-showThu, 02 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup revisits the classics]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/09/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-revisits-the-classics/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/09/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-revisits-the-classics/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/09/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-revisits-the-classics/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Digital Unrest's Chris Simmons originally made this comic in April 2006, and we subsequently crashed his servers. The strip has bee remade this week with new art and, given that it never got a fair shot last time, we're going to throw it in again this week. Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Chris. Here are our picks for the week's best game-related webcomic. Polling after the break; be sure to vote for your favorite!

Orderly Debate (Digital Unrest)
The World May Never Know (Fanboys Online)
Bluetooth Headset (CAD Minis)
For Your Consideration (Penny Arcade)
Rupees Cannot Buy Hearts (MNC)
The Fundamental Theorem of War (2P Start)
Anguish (Penny Arcade)
Giving Birth (Castle Vidcons)

(Not game-related, but make sure you read PVP Online's five-part FoxTrot/Family Circus "tribute")

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup revisits the classics

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup revisits the classics originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 09 Aug 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chris-simmonsdigital-unrestfamily-circusfoxtrotkatamarikatamari-damacypvp-onlinetrollwebcomicSat, 09 Aug 2008 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Born for Wii: Katamari Damacy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/17/born-for-wii-katamari-damacy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/17/born-for-wii-katamari-damacy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/17/born-for-wii-katamari-damacy/#commentsFiled under:

Katamari Damacy rolled onto the gaming scene in 2004, bristling with the unanticipated fury of a budget title with mass-market appeal. Damacy's success and popularity in the United States, where it has quickly achieved a devoted cult following, is remarkable for a game that's so distinctly ... Japanese. However, anyone who's played the game can instantly grasp the appeal -- a delicious layer of charm coats the inner goodness of straightforward, addictive gameplay, and that's why Katamari Damacy is this week's game that is Born for Wii.

When the irresistibly alluring, slightly fruity King of All Cosmos accidentally destroys the heavens, his solution is a novel one -- roll up piles of junk and send them skyward to replace the fallen stars. Fortunately for us, he's far too lazy to do the grunt work himself. And that's where we come in as the tiny Prince, charged with the daunting task of restoring the stars to the sky with the aid of a magical ball (a katamari, of course) that sticks to damn near everything.

Continue reading Born for Wii: Katamari Damacy

JoystiqBorn for Wii: Katamari Damacy originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beautiful-katamariborn-for-wiijoystiqfeatureskatamarikatamari-damacynamconamco-bandaiportps2Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[What's the deal with Beautiful Katamari?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/25/whats-the-deal-with-beautiful-katamari/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/25/whats-the-deal-with-beautiful-katamari/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/25/whats-the-deal-with-beautiful-katamari/#commentsFiled under:


It's been a very long time since we've heard anything about Beautiful Katamari and the Wii. And, seeing as how the game has been out on Xbox 360 for quite some time now, we were done thinking that it would ever grace Nintendo's console. Thanks to select retailers' online shops, however, hope is slowly being restored.

Major retail chains Target and Wal-Mart are both listing the game on their respective websites, while Buy.com lists the game with the same price ($29.99), but states it's "temporarily sold out." Even rental service Gamefly has a section up for a Wii and PS3 version of the game.

So, what's the deal? Who knows at this point, but the Wal-Mart page points to an August 29th release, so perhaps we'll hear something soon? We're not going to get our hopes up like before, but we'd be lying if we said we didn't want this to happen.

[Thanks, Zack!]

Read - Wal-Mart listing
Read - Target listing
Read - Buy.com listing
Read - Gamefly listing

JoystiqWhat's the deal with Beautiful Katamari? originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bandaibeautiful-katamarikatamarikatamari-damacykatamaridamacynamconamco-bandainamcobandaiFri, 25 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Today in Joystiq: February 29, 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/01/today-in-joystiq-february-29-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/01/today-in-joystiq-february-29-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/01/today-in-joystiq-february-29-2008/#comments Katamari Damacy meets Day of the Dead, care of Nicolas Caesar Scary-Art.com (thanks, brian). Can we call him Prince of All Dying Stars? Check out the highlights for today:

Joystiquery
DS Fanboy Lite: Feb. 23 - Feb. 29
Joystiq interview: Crystal Dynamics' Lindstrom talks Tomb Raider: Underworld
Joystiq Podcast 039 - Leap year edition
Metareview: Patapon (PSP)
This Week in DLC: Sucking up Triggerheart Exelica

News
Ironclad's Sins sells more than 100,000 in less than a month
SCi plans radical restructuring with mass layoffs and project cancellations
Call of Duty 4 feature patch is now live
See the Battlefield Heroes debut trailer
GDC08: First screenshots of Mirror's Edge
Eidos returns to open water with Battlestations: Pacific
Borders Books testing game sales in London
Trism brings tilt-sensitive puzzle gaming to iPhone
Rock Band Weekly: Grateful Dead six-pack
Sony reveals Home integration for Resistance, Uncharted, Warhawk
Pong creator Nolan Bushnell working on MMO
Take-Two: More companies want to buy us
US/Euro MGS4 lacks Japanese voice over tracks
Rocketmen blast off onto XBLA, PSN next week
Major League Eating crammed into WiiWare
Future Futurama flick features extra Xbox episode
Voice of Marcus Fenix talks Gears of War 2
Street Fighter IV test machines in Japan, features Sagat and Balrog
Former EA exec: Kotick's WoW remark meant to scare competition

Rumors & Speculation
Rumor: Lost Odyssey sequels on the way

Culture & Community
GDC '08 breaks attendance record, press may need invite next year
Game Developers Choice Awards on G4 tonight
Jason Ocampo leaves Gamespot for IGN

JoystiqToday in Joystiq: February 29, 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beautiful-katamaridailyrecapkatamarikatamari-damacySat, 01 Mar 2008 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Oops: Euro Katamari demo for Xbox Live Silver members only]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/oops-euro-katamari-demo-for-xbox-live-silver-members-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/oops-euro-katamari-demo-for-xbox-live-silver-members-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/oops-euro-katamari-demo-for-xbox-live-silver-members-only/#commentsFiled under: ,

trading places
Microsoft Europe's Xbox community manager Graeme Boyd dropped a "wee" note on his blog this morning to let everyone know that only Xbox Live Silver members can download the Beautiful Katamari demo (released in Europe, Australia and New Zealand just yesterday). Yep, you paying folk will have to wait.

Boyd assures us that the situation will soon be resolved (maybe it already is), meaning, Gold members will get the exclusive access they've been promised, and Silver members will be back on the outside looking in. But, for the moment, all you freeloaders should revel in this brief episode of trading places.

JoystiqOops: Euro Katamari demo for Xbox Live Silver members only originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beautiful-katamaridemoeuropekatamarixblXbox-360xbox-liveThu, 31 Jan 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's Katamariest video: Cartoon Network's 'Chowder']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/23/todays-katamariest-video-cartoon-networks-chowder/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/23/todays-katamariest-video-cartoon-networks-chowder/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/23/todays-katamariest-video-cartoon-networks-chowder/#commentsFiled under: ,


It seems that Katamari Damacy continues to roll on, inspiring imitators and homages long after the original title's release. This time, it seem everyone's favorite clump of souls has rolled onto cable television, with the Cartoon Network program Chowder presenting an extended Katamari-esque sequence involving a rather large piece of bubblegum.

Chowder is the latest in a long line of original Cartoon Network animated shows, created by the mind behind Spongebob Squarepants and The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy. The show is about an apprentice cook named Chowder. In fact, every character is named after food. There's a girl named Panini. Panini. We think that's just awesome.

[Thanks, Mark]

JoystiqToday's Katamariest video: Cartoon Network's 'Chowder' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Nov 2007 01:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cartoon-networkcartoonnetworkhottest-videohottestvideokatamarivideovotdFri, 23 Nov 2007 01:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Today in Joystiq: November 14, 2007]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/14/today-in-joystiq-november-14-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/14/today-in-joystiq-november-14-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/14/today-in-joystiq-november-14-2007/#comments Notebooks, silverware, copper bowls, bowling pins, dishes, Pocky and Milky boxes, clothes pins, yarn balls, cakes, barrels, milk crates, cats and dogs, farm animals, giant mushroom, kitchen table, shrubs, flowers, trees, a giraffe and a van. These are all the objects to be "rolled up" in Jenne Maneri's wonderful Katamari model. There are plenty more pictures at her website. Check out the highlights for today:

Joystiquery
Joystiq visits Harmonix to talk Rock Band DLC and incidentals
Metareview: Kane & Lynch: Dead Men (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)3
Metareview: Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (PS3)
Nega-review: Crysis
Today's Segway one-upping video: Personal Yoshi
Wii Fanboy Weekly: November 7th, 2007 - November 14th, 2007

News
Atari CEO resigns as company exits game development
See new World of Warcraft patch trailer
2K Games: No Bioshock on PS3; stop asking
TimeShift gets multiplayer demo on Xbox Live
DualShock 3 rumble works with PS2 games
Nintendo disputes WiiWare limitations
Variety says Mario Galaxy shows Wii's weaknesses
Guitar Hero, Tony Hawk getting in-game ad treatment
Xbox Originals are not without issues
BBC reminds that Wii supply is still an issue
Class action lawsuit over Xbox Live consumer fraud
Overline gives Wii owners "The Shaft"
Fallout sale to help fund Earthworm Jim, Descent comebacks
Cyanide confirms Blood Bowl for Xbox 360, PSP, DS
Dutch teen arrested for stealing virtual furniture
Mad Catz purrchases Saitek, Joystiq shoots headline author
Guitar Hero III PC/Mac hybrid 'later this year'
Rock Band DLC priced! Cheaper than Guitar Hero's, more choice
Mass Effect banned in Singapore over lesbian scene

Culture & Community
Bungie's Weinland and Cowan to keynote Game Design Expo
See the 10 most expensive video games
Zero Punctuation hates Jericho

[Thanks, JP]

JoystiqToday in Joystiq: November 14, 2007 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Nov 2007 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beautiful-katamaridailyrecapkatamarikatamari-damacyWed, 14 Nov 2007 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Katamari creator downplays importance of video games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/29/katamari-creator-downplays-importance-of-video-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/29/katamari-creator-downplays-importance-of-video-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/29/katamari-creator-downplays-importance-of-video-games/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ever the eccentric, Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi went on stage at a video game conference and tried to tell the audience that video games are NOT the most important thing in the world.

We couldn't believe it either.

Standing barefoot in front of London Nottingham's GameCity conference, the obviously brain-damaged Takahashi alleged that "it would be impossible for us to be here... if the world was not peaceful." He tried to convince the crowd that real world suffering and problems were occasionally more pressing than games. "If you're suffering from poverty and disease, could you worry about collecting coins? I don't think so," he argued, unconvincingly.

Takahashi also implied, rather laughably, that things like recycling and being friendly were just as important as beating Halo 3 on Legendary for the third time. "I'm not trying to be the next Al Gore but I'm not sure if we could afford to have video games in ten or twenty year's time," the fearmongering designer said, adding that white is black and up is actually down.

After the confusing opening, Takahashi showed off a demo of Nobi Nobi Boy, thankfully distracting the audience from the problems of the real world once again.

JoystiqKatamari creator downplays importance of video games originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>environmentkatamarikatamaridamacypollutionPS3takahashiXbox-360Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Katamari not named Beautiful coming to PS3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/21/katamari-not-named-beautiful-coming-to-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/21/katamari-not-named-beautiful-coming-to-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/21/katamari-not-named-beautiful-coming-to-ps3/#commentsFiled under:


Namco got us all hot and bothered when it listed Beautiful Katamari heading to the PS3 on its website a few weeks ago. However, all hope of playing Beautiful Katamari was dashed when 1up confirmed with the game's director Jun Morikawa that the title will not be coming to Sony's console.

Wait! Don't jump off the bridge yet; all hope is not lost! Morikawa said "the series will definitely be making its way to the console soon," which is great news for the junk-collecting faithful.

So instead of getting just a port, we can now look forward to an entirely new entry in the series.

JoystiqKatamari not named Beautiful coming to PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Sep 2007 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beautiful-katamarikatamarinamconamco-bandaiFri, 21 Sep 2007 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dragon Tamer knows exactly how to tame gamers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/28/dragon-tamer-knows-exactly-how-to-tame-gamers/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/28/dragon-tamer-knows-exactly-how-to-tame-gamers/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/28/dragon-tamer-knows-exactly-how-to-tame-gamers/#commentsFiled under: ,

We somehow managed to resist Pac-Man World Rally, but we aren't sure how many times we're going to be able to see the Prince in games and keep our wallets holstered. We love Katamari Damacy like nothing else, and it's all we can do to remind ourselves that series creator Keita Takahashi is no longer making Katamari games, and that the Prince has become a Namco franchise character rather than a labor of love.

Still, seeing a "Princesaurus" in Dragon Tamer: Sound Spirit weakens our resolve. It doesn't matter what the game actually is (a monster-breeding/fighting game that uses sound inputs to generate monsters), we have a hard time saying no to that little face. It has an attack called "Katamari on the Rock" as well. If anyone had told us back in the day that Katamari Damacy would be a strong enough property that Namco would use it to promote other games, we'd have either laughed or given that person a sincere hug.

JoystiqDragon Tamer knows exactly how to tame gamers originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Aug 2007 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dragontamerkatamarinamcobandaiTue, 28 Aug 2007 09:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Katamari demo rolls up (get it?!) Marketplace]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/katamari-demo-rolls-up-get-it-marketplace/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/katamari-demo-rolls-up-get-it-marketplace/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/katamari-demo-rolls-up-get-it-marketplace/#commentsFiled under: ,


Beautiful Katamari's demo just landed on Marketplace and has been rolling up a storm. At first, it was available on a recent OXM demo disc, but now it is available for the whole world Canada, America, and Mexico (read: North America) to download. It weighs in at just under 435 MB, so it's not going to break the disk space bank, although X3F reader Magic Whiskey tells us that it's also on the short side, but enough to get the premise of the game. Give it a download and tell us what you think.

JoystiqKatamari demo rolls up (get it?!) Marketplace originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Aug 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Beautiful KatamariBeautifulKatamariKatamariMarketplaceXBLMTue, 14 Aug 2007 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Beautiful Katamari demo on Xbox Live]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/beautiful-katamari-demo-on-xbox-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/beautiful-katamari-demo-on-xbox-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/beautiful-katamari-demo-on-xbox-live/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Sometimes a checkbook, a life-sized model, a shirt, a Play-Doh model, a Lego version or even Catamari isn't enough. Sometimes you need the real deal, the mainline Katamari. Your Xbox Live dealer has prepared a hit just for you on Xbox Live with a new demo: Just remember, only the first one's free.

If you're among the uninitiated (and if you're solely a 360 gamer, there's a good chance you are) prepare for ... well, for insanity that you control with two sticks. If you try to figure it out, your brain's going to sprain it's ankle, so just roll with it. ... Do you get it? Roll. It's funny. Cause it's a ball.

JoystiqBeautiful Katamari demo on Xbox Live originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Aug 2007 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beautifulkatamaridemoskatamariXbox-360xboxliveTue, 14 Aug 2007 09:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's most introductory video: Beautiful Katamari]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/11/todays-most-introductory-video-beautiful-katamari/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/11/todays-most-introductory-video-beautiful-katamari/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/11/todays-most-introductory-video-beautiful-katamari/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Still playing is-it-or-isn't-it-an-exclusive, (hey, can you spare $50 million?), Beautiful Katamari's opening sequence has surfaced on GameTrailers. Having finished the other, less beautiful Katamari games, our joy in seeing the introduction video wasn't as great as we imagine a virgin Katamari player's amazement. And with this title landing on the 360, we expect a lot of gamers will be introduced to the delightfully quirky franchise with Beautiful.

See the opening video after the break, or rock it in HD directly from GameTrailers.

Continue reading Today's most introductory video: Beautiful Katamari

JoystiqToday's most introductory video: Beautiful Katamari originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beautifulkatamarihottestvideokatamariXbox-360Sat, 11 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Katamari creator to keynote UK's GameCity]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/23/katamari-creator-to-keynote-uks-gamecity/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/23/katamari-creator-to-keynote-uks-gamecity/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/23/katamari-creator-to-keynote-uks-gamecity/#commentsFiled under:

Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi will give a keynote address at this year's GameCity festival in Nottingham, England. According to GI.biz, Takahashi will also be showing off his upcoming title Nobi Nobi Boy.

Takahashi's keynote will take place Saturday, October 27. Festival participants include Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, Freestyle Games, Travellers Tales, Free Radical Design, Mode 7 and Frontier; more details are expected shortly. The second annual GameCity festival will be held October 24 through 28 at Nottingham Trent University.

JoystiqKatamari creator to keynote UK's GameCity originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Jul 2007 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>englandfestivalgamecitykatamarikatamaridamacykeitatakahashinobinobiboynottinghamukMon, 23 Jul 2007 16:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Nobi Nobi Boy: new PS3 game from Katamari creator]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/17/nobi-nobi-boy-new-ps3-game-from-katamari-creator/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/17/nobi-nobi-boy-new-ps3-game-from-katamari-creator/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/17/nobi-nobi-boy-new-ps3-game-from-katamari-creator/#commentsFiled under: ,


Should PS3 fans be sad about the loss of Katamari Damacy on their system? Not necessarily. Keita Takahashi - creator of the famed rolling series, ostensibly on a break from playground design - has just debuted a new game for the PS3: Nobi Nobi Boy. Considering "nobi" means "stretch" in Japanese, we can probably expect a game that does for stretching what Katamari did for rolling.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

JoystiqNobi Nobi Boy: new PS3 game from Katamari creator originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Jul 2007 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnewskatamarikatamaridamacykeitatakahashinobinobiboyPS3Tue, 17 Jul 2007 09:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Beautiful Katamari to be 360 exclusive]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/beautiful-katamari-to-be-360-exclusive/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/beautiful-katamari-to-be-360-exclusive/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/beautiful-katamari-to-be-360-exclusive/#commentsFiled under:


Again, the rumors turned out to be true! Beautiful Katamari is headed to the Xbox 360 exclusively with no PS3 version in sight. In the latest issue of Japanese magazine Famitsu, they state that production on the PS3 version of Beautiful Katamari has been halted and that the Xbox 360 version is set to roll out this Fall. Famitsu also uncovered a few new multiplayer details including split screen co-op and online battle modes. Heavenly.

And so another game completes its journey to becoming an Xbox 360 exclusive title. Maybe Namco would be kind enough to tell us exactly why they decided against developing Beautiful Katamari on the PS3. Because god knows we'd love to gush over all the juicy details.

JoystiqBeautiful Katamari to be 360 exclusive originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jul 2007 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bandaibeautiful katamariBeautifulKatamarie3e307katamarinamcoMon, 09 Jul 2007 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Beautiful Katamari drops PS3, picks up Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/06/rumor-beautiful-katamari-drops-ps3-picks-up-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/06/rumor-beautiful-katamari-drops-ps3-picks-up-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/06/rumor-beautiful-katamari-drops-ps3-picks-up-wii/#commentsFiled under: ,

Rumors surfaced over the last couple of weeks about Beautiful Katamari rolling itself away from PlayStation 3 and towards Nintendo Wii. An Xbox 360 version, already weighted its own speculation, is the only confirmed version to be shown at next week's E3.

Now comes word that Famitsu (via PS3 Center) has validated the rumors and that Namco Bandai has indeed quietly canceled a PS3 iteration in favor of rolling the Prince of All Cosmos onto the Wii. As we have yet to see the purported issue of Famitsu, we're still labeling this as rumor fodder.

We've contacted Namco Bandai for a statement. In the meantime, take a stroll down memory lane with our recent b[ack]log on We Love Katamari.

[Via Evil Avatar]

JoystiqRumor: Beautiful Katamari drops PS3, picks up Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Jul 2007 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bandaibeautiful katamariBeautifulKatamarikatamarinamconamco bandaiNamcoBandaiPS3WiiFri, 06 Jul 2007 14:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Namco E3 lineup confirms Katamari exclusivity?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/06/namco-e3-lineup-confirms-katamari-exclusivity/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/06/namco-e3-lineup-confirms-katamari-exclusivity/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/06/namco-e3-lineup-confirms-katamari-exclusivity/#commentsFiled under:

If you needed any more confirmation that Beautiful Katamari will only roll on the Xbox 360, you need look no further than Namco Bandai's recently released E3 lineup. Eurogamer has the list and was quick to notice that the Xbox 360 was the only platform designated for the title. Is it ironclad proof that Beautiful Katamari is 360 exclusive? No, but it's pretty damned close. Other Namco Bandai 360 games to be shown at E3 include Dynasty Warriors Gundam, Ace Combat 6, Eternal Sonata, and Culdcept SAGA.

JoystiqNamco E3 lineup confirms Katamari exclusivity? originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Jul 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bandaibeautiful katamaribeautiful katamari damacyBeautifulKatamariBeautifulKatamariDamacye307katamarinamconamco bandaiNamcoBandaiFri, 06 Jul 2007 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The universe really is full of Katamari rumors]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/02/the-universe-really-is-full-of-katamari-rumors/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/02/the-universe-really-is-full-of-katamari-rumors/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/02/the-universe-really-is-full-of-katamari-rumors/#commentsFiled under:


Remember the rumor that Beautiful Katamari was going to roll onto the Wii? It won't die. It's come back again, this time with psychotic reasoning behind it.

IGN's Matt Casamassina has "100 percent reliable" word from mysterious, anonymous sources that Bandai Namco is planning a version of the game on Wii. As the story goes, they encountered difficulty porting Beautiful Katamari to the PS3, so Namco decided to scrap it and create a new Wii version instead.

This is really the part that arouses our suspicion. A port is too hard, so they switch over to an all-new game? It just sounds like an excuse to troll the PS3 and make the Wii look better at the same time. It may be true, but we're not taking that reasoning as an explanation for anything.

We still aren't sure we should even care, with no Keita Takahashi involvement, but we can't help but become wistful when we think about a new Katamari. We wish we could hear some final word about this. We're tired of the emotional rollercoaster!

[Via GayGamer]

JoystiqThe universe really is full of Katamari rumors originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Jul 2007 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bandaibeautiful katamariBeautifulKatamarikatamarikatamari damacyKatamariDamacynamconintendonintendo wiiNintendoWiiwiiMon, 02 Jul 2007 14:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Katamari-inspired indie game De Blob coming to Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/29/katamari-inspired-indie-game-de-blob-coming-to-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/29/katamari-inspired-indie-game-de-blob-coming-to-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/29/katamari-inspired-indie-game-de-blob-coming-to-wii/#commentsFiled under: , ,


German magazine Maniac! is reporting the student demo project De Blob will be making its way to the Wii sometime next year. The Katamari-inspired game (which PC users can download for free) puts you in control of a squidgy blob rolling around the city painting the buildings different colors. It's a simple 3D game that unfortunately has some hefty system requirements, but it's free, and it's quite a bit of fun. Blue Tongue Entertainment is working on the Wii port and THQ will publish the title in 2008.

[Via Go Nintendo]

JoystiqKatamari-inspired indie game De Blob coming to Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Jun 2007 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualgermanindependentindiekatamarithqWiiFri, 29 Jun 2007 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[The B[ack]log: Katamari Do Your Best]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/26/the-b-ack-log-katamari-do-your-best/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/26/the-b-ack-log-katamari-do-your-best/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/26/the-b-ack-log-katamari-do-your-best/#commentsFiled under: ,

Well, the title seemed sort of clever at the time. "The B[ack]log" represents one gamer's fight against that seemingly insurmountable and entirely self-inflicted obstacle, the ever-sprawling backlog of games that are either unfinished, unplayed or unloved. That's the "Backlog" part. After surgically inserting some brackets, it becomes "B[ack]log," a reference to both the blog format and the unique sound emitted whenever I view the stack of games I keep adding to every month. And every week, I hope to subtract at least one and ramble about it for a few paragraphs... if you don't mind. A review this is not.

It seems simultaneously appropriate and depressing then, that the first game to be ejected and examined (and then ejected again) is one primarily concerned with hoarding as much stuff as you possibly can -- We Love Katamari for the PlayStation 2.

Continue reading The B[ack]log: Katamari Do Your Best

JoystiqThe B[ack]log: Katamari Do Your Best originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Jun 2007 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backlogb[ack]logKatamariKatamari-Damacy-2NamcoNamco-BandaiNOW ProductionNowProductionPS2We-Love-KatamariTue, 26 Jun 2007 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Joystiq Weekend: June 23 - 24, 2007]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/24/the-joystiq-weekend-june-23-24-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/24/the-joystiq-weekend-june-23-24-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/24/the-joystiq-weekend-june-23-24-2007/#comments The Prince of All Cosmos sporting his Katamari music player, found by Flickr user nuzz -- "not my doing, but hilarious," he writes. We didn't fare too much better in our admittedly brief search, but we did stumble upon an iRoll button with a similar image. It's green like Xbox, but that's probably just a coincidence. Check out the highlights for the weekend:

Joystiquery
Podcast Rodeo for June 24: E.A.R.
Today's chowiest video: John Woo and Chow Yun-Fat in Stranglehold
Today's shootingest video: Quake Wars
Weekly Webcomic Wrapup: winning formula edition

News
Dale Earnhardt Jr. signs endorsement contract with Sony
New Time Crisis 4 screenshots, Guncon 3 pics
Sonic the Hedgehog turns 16
Devil May Cry anime hits the web
Jaffe's warehouse pics possible studio space in Utah
Austin Powers available free on Xbox Live
Chun Li cries the pain of loss away
Boston Globe: Wii puts violence in motion
Blue Dragon ad campaign wins Cannes award
DS games at Toys R Us are buy 2 get 1 free this week
The Darkness delayed for Euro PS3 until July 20
Metroid Prime 3 details emerge from Play magazine
Addiction experts: Video games aren't an addiction

Rumors & Speculation
Manhunt 2 controversy may boost sales

Culture & Community
Postal designer speaks out on Manhunt 2 bans
The anomaly of Nancy Drew games
Gamespot changes review system, adds 'medals'
DIY pixel art T-shirts

JoystiqThe Joystiq Weekend: June 23 - 24, 2007 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 24 Jun 2007 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appledaily recapDailyRecapkatamarikatamari damacyKatamariDamacySun, 24 Jun 2007 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Beautiful Katamari isn't XBLA material]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/20/beautiful-katamari-isnt-xbla-material/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/20/beautiful-katamari-isnt-xbla-material/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/20/beautiful-katamari-isnt-xbla-material/#commentsFiled under: ,

When Gamespot posted their hands-on Beautiful Katamari preview they mentioned that the game would be available exclusively on the XBLA. Which caused a little confusing to how much the game was actually beefed out and what would have to change since it would have to fit the XBLA size requirements. But it looks like we don't have to worry about any of that, because Gamespot retracted their Beautiful Katamari on XBLA talk and now say that the game will be released in a "full retail package". So, believe what you wish. But we ask, which would you have preferred? A cheaper Arcade Katamari or the whole big shebang retail Katamari?

JoystiqBeautiful Katamari isn't XBLA material originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jun 2007 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadebeautiful katamariBeautifulKatamarikatamarinamcoxblaxbox live arcadeXboxLiveArcadeWed, 20 Jun 2007 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamespot oopsies about Katamari on XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/19/gamespot-oopsies-about-katamari-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/19/gamespot-oopsies-about-katamari-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/19/gamespot-oopsies-about-katamari-on-xbla/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Gamespot has retracted all mention that Beautiful Katamari will release on Xbox Live Arcade and "regrets the error." Screw-up or cover-up? You decide. Gamespot now says that the game will be released as a "full retail package and not a download." Gamespot is typically on the ball, it's very out of character for them to just make a major statement like Beautiful Katamari would be on XBLA without reason.

Beautiful Katamari has had a very odd public trip so far. First it popped up when Orange Lounge Radio discovered it in retail computers. Then Namco Bandai strong-armed the independent podcast to pull the story, but then the game also ended up on GameFly with a fall release. Then it was confirmed for all systems and finally became a possible Xbox 360 exclusive, which led to the XBLA announcement. Heck, we've still got another four months or so before the game comes out, what other things can be picked up in this beautiful katamari of crazy gaming news?

JoystiqGamespot oopsies about Katamari on XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 22:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamespotkatamariking of cosmosprince of cosmosxblaXbox-360Tue, 19 Jun 2007 22:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's full of stuff video: Beautiful Katamari]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/17/todays-full-of-stuff-video-beautiful-katamari/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/17/todays-full-of-stuff-video-beautiful-katamari/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/17/todays-full-of-stuff-video-beautiful-katamari/#commentsFiled under: , ,


While we fear the series has run its course -- and rolled up the shark -- seemingly Xbox 360 exclusive and XBLA downloadable title Beautiful Katamari wins us over for today's video pick. The extended gameplay clip looks nearly the same as what we remember from the PS2 until the camera keeps pulling back and the Prince rolls up countries and continents. That's a big katamari, full of so many dreams and so much stuff.

See the video after the break.

Continue reading Today's full of stuff video: Beautiful Katamari

JoystiqToday's full of stuff video: Beautiful Katamari originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 17 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ballcosmosdownloaddownloadablegameplayhottest videoHottestVideokatamarikatamari damacyKatamariDamacyprincerollvideoxblaXbox-360Sun, 17 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamespot: Beautiful Katamari coming to Xbox Live Arcade [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/16/gamespot-beautiful-katamari-coming-to-xbox-live-arcade/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/16/gamespot-beautiful-katamari-coming-to-xbox-live-arcade/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/16/gamespot-beautiful-katamari-coming-to-xbox-live-arcade/#commentsFiled under:


[Update: We shouldn't have doubted you, Ross! Gamespot has stated that the information in the article was indeed "total crap". Original post follows.]

As the extreme and possibly insane cynic might ask, "Isn't there already a colossal ball of junk on Xbox Live Arcade?" To that we answer, "No sir, but there soon will be. Although, Feeding Frenzy was a bit rubbish, wasn't it?" The destined arrival of Bandai Namco's next Katamari game on Xbox Live Arcade is announced in a rather blasé manner by the first sentence in Gamespot's hands-on preview of the title: "The big, huge Katamari ball of junk just keeps on rolling, this time with a new installment called Beautiful Katamari slated to hit Xbox Live Arcade in October."

The news sticks to yesterday's word from Newsweek's N'Gai Croal that Beautiful Katamari would be an Xbox 360 exclusive, and neatly contradicts previous XBLA portfolio manager Ross Erickson's "total crap - not happening". Something obviously changed in the months since then, an observation not befitting of the Katamari franchise, it seems. Gamespot's Brad Shoemaker labels the game as "more of the same," noting the presence of new levels, high-definition graphics, 4-player online gameplay and, perhaps most importantly, an original soundtrack. Despite losing momentum in terms of moving the series forward, we suspect there's still plenty to heart about Katamari -- especially if the price is right.

JoystiqGamespot: Beautiful Katamari coming to Xbox Live Arcade [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 16 Jun 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Normally we don't feature Playstation 2 games on Wii Fanboy (unless they're ported to the Wii, am I rite) but this week's video is all about someone we're all familiar with, looking somewhat less familiar. We're happy to feature games from other consoles when they're so reverent of our icons.

Garakuta Studio's Graffiti Kingdom allows players to make their own 3D characters for use in a platforming adventure. Someone went to the trouble of making a Mario that is almost dead-on. We say "almost" because the movements are slightly weird, but for something made in-game this is quite an achievement. It's good enough for a Graffiti Kingdom character, right? Check out the video of "Mario" doing some adventuring and some basically 3D Mario moves after the break.

And while we're talking about Graffiti Kingdom, we can't help but link to these fanmade versions of the King of All Cosmos and a weirdly accurate Razor Ramon HG-- how disturbing, as the King would say.

JoystiqFriday Video: It's-a me! On the PS2! And kind of creepy! originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Jun 2007 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ffvgarakutagraffitigraffiti kingdomGraffitiKingdomhard gayHardGayhgkatamarikingkingdommarionintendonintendo wiiNintendoWiips2wiiFri, 15 Jun 2007 18:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Newsweek: Beautiful Katamari rolling exclusively with Xbox 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/15/beautiful-katamari-rolling-exclusively-with-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/15/beautiful-katamari-rolling-exclusively-with-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/15/beautiful-katamari-rolling-exclusively-with-xbox-360/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Striking a blow to symmetrical ball-rolling controls everywhere, Newsweek's N'Gai Croal reports that Beautiful Katamari's royal rainbow will extend only to the Xbox 360. He explains that an exclusivity deal is already "very close to fruition" and is likely to be announced formally at July's Min-E3 event in Santa Monica. The trail of digital crumbs leading to the deal seems especially obvious in retrospect, with Ridge Racer 6, Ace Combat 6, Eternal Sonata and Pac-Man: Championship Edition all indicating quite the chummy relationship between Namco Bandai and Microsoft.

With the Katamari franchise not being nearly as unstoppable as its clutter-collecting cosmic prince, PlayStation 3 alarmists shouldn't view this as the end of their fragile and constantly beeping world. That being said, seeing a distinctly, almost obviously "Japanese" game picking up Microsoft's system alone certainly points to interesting times ahead. It also makes completing the level that much harder.

[Thanks, Matthew]

JoystiqNewsweek: Beautiful Katamari rolling exclusively with Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Jun 2007 12:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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