Everyone wants to roll up the world again. Honestly, the craving for a new Katamari Damacy game is one of those constant background noises in the gaming community, like the eternal wait for Silksong or people wondering if Nintendo will ever make another F-Zero. But lately, the whispers have shifted. People aren't just asking for any sequel; they are looking for Once Upon a Katamari Switch 2. It's a specific title that has started circulating in forums and speculative threads as we approach the launch of Nintendo's next-generation hardware.
Is it real? Is it just a fan-fueled fever dream?
Let's be clear: Bandai Namco hasn't held a press conference to scream this title from the rooftops. However, the history of the franchise and the current state of the Nintendo Switch successor—often called the Switch 2 by basically everyone—suggests that the King of All Cosmos isn't done with us yet. The Katamari series thrives on quirky, low-stress, high-chaos gameplay that fits the Nintendo ecosystem like a glove. If you've spent any time rolling up thumbtacks only to eventually consume a skyscraper, you know that the "one more go" loop is perfect for a handheld-hybrid console.
The Reality of the Once Upon a Katamari Rumors
Rumors in the gaming world are usually a mix of leaked logistics and pure, unadulterated hope. The term Once Upon a Katamari Switch 2 likely stems from the series' recent naming conventions. We had Reroll, then we had We Love Katamari Reroll+ Royal Reverie. Bandai Namco has a pattern here. They love these whimsical, almost fairy-tale-sounding titles. It makes sense that a brand-new entry, rather than a remaster, would lean into a "Once Upon a Time" aesthetic to reset the clock for a new generation of hardware.
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Wait. Let’s look at the facts.
The original creator, Keita Takahashi, famously moved on from the series long ago to work on projects like Wattam and Noboby. But Bandai Namco owns the IP. They know it sells. They’ve seen the success of the remasters on the current Switch. The sales figures for Katamari Damacy Reroll proved there is a massive, hungry audience that doesn't just want nostalgia; they want new levels. They want better physics. They want a Katamari that can handle more objects on screen without the frame rate chugging like an old steam engine.
That’s where the Switch 2 comes in. The biggest technical hurdle for Katamari has always been the draw distance and object density. Imagine a version of this game where the hardware doesn't break a sweat when you're rolling through a crowded Tokyo street. The Switch 2's rumored T239 chip and increased RAM would finally allow for a "seamless" world transition—moving from a tabletop to a city street without a single loading screen.
Why the Timing for a New Katamari Makes Sense
Nintendo's next console is the elephant in the room. Every developer is currently looking at their catalog and deciding what gets a "Pro" patch and what gets a full-blown sequel.
Bandai Namco has a very cozy relationship with Nintendo. They helped develop Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. They work on Mario Kart. It is almost a certainty that they have dev kits for the Switch successor. If Once Upon a Katamari Switch 2 is a real project, it would likely be positioned as a "Year One" title. It’s the kind of game that showcases improved physics and haptic feedback without needing a $200 million budget like Call of Duty.
Think about the Joy-Cons. Or whatever the new controllers end up being.
The HD Rumble in the current Switch was okay, but it never quite captured the "grittiness" of rolling over different textures. Imagine feeling the distinct "thud" of a cow being absorbed into your ball versus the "clink" of a coin. If a new game is built from the ground up for the Switch 2, these are the sensory details that will define it.
Addressing the "Once Upon a" Title Leak
Where did the "Once Upon a" part come from? Mostly, it’s speculation based on trademark filings and the general vibe of the Royal Reverie expansion. Bandai Namco has been leaning heavily into the King of All Cosmos's backstory. We've seen his childhood. We've seen his strict upbringing. A "Once Upon a Katamari" could easily be a prequel or a storybook-themed reboot that ignores the confusing continuity of the later PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 entries.
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Some fans think it might be a collection. I disagree.
We’ve already had the two best games remastered. Going back to Beautiful Katamari or Katamari Forever feels like diminishing returns. The market is ready for a fresh start. We need a new Prince. We need new cousins. We need a reason to roll up things that aren't just the same Japanese houses we've been seeing since 2004.
Technical Hurdles and Expectations
Let's talk specs for a second. The current Switch struggles when the Katamari gets massive. You see the pop-in. You see the low-resolution textures on distant buildings.
- Resolution: A Switch 2 entry would likely target 4K in docked mode using DLSS.
- Physics: More independent objects. Right now, many items are "frozen" until you hit them. Real-time physics for thousands of items would be a game-changer.
- Scale: The jump from "City" to "Continent" has always been a bit jarring. Better hardware means smoother scaling.
If Once Upon a Katamari Switch 2 exists, it has to move the needle. Just "more of the same" won't cut it in 2026. We need online multiplayer that actually works. We need a level editor—imagine the chaos of the community designing their own rooms for people to roll up.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Franchise
Most people think Katamari is just a "weird Japanese game." It's not. At its heart, it’s a commentary on consumerism. You are literally consuming the world because a giant, celestial being got drunk and broke the stars. It’s dark. It’s funny.
The misconception is that it doesn't need "power." People say, "Oh, it's just a ball rolling, it can run on a potato." Wrong. To make the ball feel "right," you need sophisticated collision detection. When you have 500 objects stuck to a sphere, and that sphere is rotating at high speeds, the math gets complicated. The Switch 2 is the first Nintendo handheld that might actually be able to handle the original vision of the game without compromises.
I've talked to developers who mention that the "jank" of the original games was often a result of fighting the hardware. The PlayStation 2 was screaming while trying to render those levels. A new entry wouldn't have those shackles.
The Evidence for a New Entry
While we wait for the official Nintendo Direct that reveals the Switch 2, we can look at Bandai Namco’s financial reports. They have consistently listed "Existing IP Revitalization" as a core pillar of their business strategy. They aren't just making new Tekken and Elden Ring DLC. They are looking at their mid-tier classics.
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Katamari is the king of mid-tier classics.
It’s cheap to produce compared to a triple-A shooter, but it has a 100% "attach rate" with a certain type of gamer. You know the type. The one who buys every Kirby game and has a dedicated shelf for indie physical releases. That is a loyal fan base. Bandai Namco would be leaving money on the table if they didn't have Once Upon a Katamari Switch 2 in development for the next console launch window.
What to Do While You Wait
Since the game hasn't been officially "shadow-dropped" yet, you have a few ways to prepare and stay informed. Don't just sit there staring at the King of All Cosmos.
- Finish the Rerolls: If you haven't 100% completed Royal Reverie, do it. It contains the most clues about where the developers' heads are at regarding the King's lore.
- Monitor Trademark Databases: Keep an eye on "Chizai Watch" or similar Japanese trademark trackers. This is usually where the "Once Upon a..." titles appear first, months before a trailer.
- Check the Nintendo Direct Schedule: We are in a prime window for Switch 2 news. Any major "Partner Showcase" is a likely candidate for a Katamari reveal.
- Manage Expectations: Remember that "Switch 2" is a placeholder name. When the console is officially named (whether it's Super Switch, Switch Attach, or something else), search for the game under that new hardware banner.
The reality is that Once Upon a Katamari Switch 2 represents the next logical step for a series that has spent too long looking backward. Remasters are great for preservation, but the joy of Katamari is the surprise. It’s the weirdness of finding a giant squid in a schoolyard. It’s time for new surprises. Based on everything we know about the industry's current trajectory, the King is just waiting for the right moment to make his grand re-entry. Keep your eyes on the stars.
Next Steps for Fans
Check your Nintendo eShop "Wishlist" settings to ensure you get notified of any Bandai Namco publisher sales. Often, a massive discount on old Katamari titles precedes a new announcement to drum up interest. Additionally, follow the official "Katamari Damacy" Twitter (X) account, as they have recently become more active with anniversary art, which historically signals that a brand manager is warming up the account for news.