Once Upon A Katamari Review: Rolling Forward on Nintendo Switch and Beyond

Once Upon A Katamari Review: Rolling Forward on Nintendo Switch and Beyond The Katamari series, known for its whimsical style, memorable soundtracks, and addictive gameplay, has captivated fans since its debut.

Developer Bandai Namco has continued this tradition with Once Upon A Katamari, the franchise’s first brand-new console entry in years.

Players are once again tasked with rolling everyday objects into massive balls, journeying through different periods and vibrant levels.

Released globally in 2024 across Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC—with additional presence on Apple Arcade via Katamari Damacy Rolling LIVE—this title is a significant milestone for the series. Building on the foundation laid by acclaimed remakes like Katamari Damacy REROLL and We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie, Once Upon A Katamari sets out to reinvigorate the formula with fresh, history-themed stages and new progression systems.

While the premise remains uniquely satisfying, with a simple yet addictive loop of gathering objects to grow your Katamari, Bandai Namco introduces a host of collectibles—crowns, cousins (playable avatars), and presents—scattered throughout levels.

Crowns are strategically placed, preventing players from collecting them all in one run, and serve both as replay incentives and as gating mechanisms for stage progression. Though replayability is increased by these additions, the new progression system can sometimes frustrate players eager to quickly move through stages.

This change is a double-edged sword: while it extends game longevity, it may hinder the genre’s trademark casual enjoyment.

Power-ups such as magnets, sensors, and stopwatches also add variety, offering temporary gameplay boosts and enhancing the exploration aspect of each stage. Aesthetically, Once Upon A Katamari excels.

Each era is beautifully realized, and the game’s delightfully quirky music—particularly in the King of All Sounds Edition with tracks from previous entries—cements the experience as quintessential Katamari.

Customization options abound, ranging from cousin avatars and emotes to unlockable music and visual flourishes. However, technical performance varies significantly across platforms.

On PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, players benefit from crisp 60 frames-per-second visuals, rapid load times, and features like Quick Resume.

PC enthusiasts will appreciate the uncapped framerate, ultrawide and 16:10 display support, and exceptional performance—even besting consoles on compatible hardware like the Steam Deck.

In contrast, the Nintendo Switch version is limited to 30 frames per second, tops out at 1080p docked (720p in handheld), and suffers from shorter draw distances, extended load times, and noticeable pop-in effects during rapid camera movement.

These shortcomings, while not game-breaking, are more pronounced on Switch compared to prior series installments and other platforms. Another notable issue across all systems is a character movement stutter confined to the hub or ship area, resulting in non-smooth scrolling.

While gameplay within levels remains unaffected, the jitter detracts from the overall polish.

Bandai Namco has not indicated if a patch is forthcoming, but the issue is less pronounced at specific frame rates and is most severe in the Switch’s 30 FPS environment. Despite these technical limitations and a more demanding progression structure, Once Upon A Katamari remains recommendable—especially for series fans eager for new content.

Those with access to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or PC platforms will enjoy the optimal experience, with the Switch version best viewed as a portable alternative rather than the definitive way to play.

Notably, Apple Arcade’s Katamari Damacy Rolling LIVE offers a more refined experience in some respects, reinforcing Bandai Namco’s commitment to evolving the franchise. In summary, Once Upon A Katamari breathes fresh life into a beloved series, delivering joyful gameplay, creative audiovisuals, and platform variety.

While the Nintendo Switch version lags behind technically, dedicated Katamari collectors and newcomers alike will find plenty to love—though a more streamlined progression and enhanced Switch optimization could further elevate future entries in this iconic rolling adventure.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo PlayStation Apple PC Xbox Switch Katamari series Apple Arcade Beyond Once Upon A Katamari Arcade Katamari Damacy REROLL We Love Katamari REROLL Bandai Namco PlayStation 5 Xbox Series X Steam Deck