Once Upon a KATAMARI

 PlayStation 5
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
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  1. GameOver.gr
    Nov 13, 2025
    70
    Once Upon a Katamari returns as weird as ever and remains faithful to the previous games. While some serious repetition in its levels and a problematic camera hold it back, these flaws do little to diminish the relaxing and uniquely delightful experience that Katamari continues to offer.
  2. Everyeye.it
    Oct 22, 2025
    65
    It's not easy to frame an operation like Once Upon a Katamari, suspended between the desire to renew a twenty-year-old tradition and the fear of losing the true essence of what is a cult PS2 title. The joy of completely destroying the settings, starting from their smallest elements, remains intact, and it's impossible not to be won over by the nonsensical madness of a video game that never takes itself seriously. Yet it was reasonable to expect some substantial additions to a gameplay formula that, while still unassailable, dates back to distant 2004. Bandai Namco has thus played to the nostalgia factor without taking the risk of modernizing its intellectual property, giving longtime fans another chance to roll their Katamari, but without offering any convincing glimpses into the future of the series.
  3. Metro GameCentral
    Oct 22, 2025
    60
    Yet another entirely unnecessary sequel to a classic game that should never have got any follow-ups at all. But if you want even more of the same old thing there are few small sparks of imagination here and there.
  5. Restart.run
    Oct 22, 2025
    60
    Once Upon a Katamari walks a fine line between offering players lots of fun things to do and getting in its own way through all of these add-ons, and I found myself thinking it landed on both sides of that line at various points, depending on my mood. Perhaps it’s because I’m such a fan of the series that I have the complaints I do about this one. I’m inevitably comparing Once Upon a Katamari to all of the fun I had with previous installments, and feeling this one falls short with its attempts to do too much. I just want to roll. And while I technically can in Once Upon a Katamari, I’m forced to think about five other things while doing it.
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  1. 3DJuegos
    Oct 28, 2025
    Another fantastic, fun and plenty of humour entry in this unique Bandai-Namco’s Katamari franchise. [Recommended]
  2. Polygon
    Oct 22, 2025
    With the holidays coming up, Once Upon a Katamari is a great way to wile away those long days of couch confinement with the whole family. The gated progression stuff is annoying, there’s no way around it. But if you’re the type of person who enjoys games for the vibes, the vibes are immaculate here. It lures you in by seeming to be a casual, pick-up-and-play experience. Then all of a sudden, it’s six hours later and you’re standing directly in front of your TV rolling up squids and jellyfish in the dark. Roll ball, make ball big.
  3. The Escapist
    Oct 22, 2025
    Once Upon a Katamari is a whimsical puzzle game offering varied and vibrant environments through its unique time periods. Its simple gameplay is filled with surprisingly depth, fun challenges, and strategic twists that constantly keep it fresh. Despite some frustrating controls and an intrusive camera, the nostalgic PS2-era visuals, catchy soundtrack, and light multiplayer segments make it a charming and engaging experience.