Once Upon a Katamari — A New Chapter Rolls Out in 2025

Once Upon a Katamari — A New Chapter Rolls Out in 2025 originally appeared on GameDaily .

During the Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase on July 31, 2025, Bandai Namco unveiled Once Upon a Katamari, marking the first all-new entry in the beloved Katamari franchise since 2011. Announced with a release date of October 24, 2025, the title launches on the original Nintendo Switch—though no confirmation has been made yet for Switch 2 or other platforms.

This latest release is notable for more than its timing—it breaks with the series' recent remastered trend. Unlike last year's We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie, Once Upon a Katamari doesn't carry the familiar "REROLL" subtitle, suggesting an original adventure rather than another remake. With new IP filings surfacing in February 2025, the title was officially trademarked by Bandai Namco in Europe and Japan—a strong indicator that this is more than just a nostalgia play.

The original Katamari Damacy series, created by Keita Takahashi, debuted in 2004 and quickly became known for its surreal visuals and delightfully bizarre gameplay—rolling everyday objects into ever-larger katamaris to rebuild celestial bodies. Once Upon a Katamari appears to be a return to that creative spirit, aiming to rekindle the charm that has made the series a cult favorite.

Expect new thematic worlds, quirky objectives, and the trademark rolling mechanics—but also hopes that modern hardware allows for expanded arenas and dynamic physics. With the Switch release date now public, fans are eagerly awaiting gameplay reveals and previews.

Once Upon a Katamari brings both relief and excitement. After years of remasters, this signals that the franchise is entering new territory. The trademark name break and Switch exclusivity point toward something fresh—a hopeful return to the absurd whimsy and visual charm that gave Katamari its identity.

With the announcement aligned with Nintendo's third-party showcase, and a launch date firmly set, it seems we'll no longer just be "rolling around." Come October, Once Upon a Katamari may finally let players roll into new adventures, new sizes, and perhaps new worlds.

This story was originally reported by GameDaily on Jul 31, 2025, where it first appeared.