Once Upon A Katamari Official Opening Movie Trailer 2026
Once Upon A Katamari is the first new mainline Katamari game in 14 years, bringing time-traveling ball-rolling gameplay to Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on October 24, 2026. After watching the newly released opening movie trailer, I’m genuinely excited to see the Prince return with his cosmic ball-rolling adventures, complete with era-hopping mechanics and that signature quirky charm that made me fall in love with the series back in 2004.
In this comprehensive preview, I’ll share everything I’ve discovered about Once Upon A Katamari from the official opening movie and recent announcements, including the new KatamariBall multiplayer mode, 69 playable characters, and why this comeback matters for longtime fans like myself who’ve been craving more feel-good gaming experiences.
| Game Feature | Key Details | Impact for Players |
|---|---|---|
| Time-Travel Gameplay | Roll through different eras of history | Fresh twist on classic mechanics |
| KatamariBall Mode | Competitive multiplayer arena battles | First true PvP in series history |
| Character Roster | 69 playable characters with customization | Massive variety for personalization |
The Opening Movie Trailer: A Two-Minute Journey Through Time
Bandai Namco’s opening movie trailer, released on August 22, 2026, delivers exactly what I hoped for: pure, unfiltered Katamari energy. The two-minute showcase opens with the familiar sight of the King of All Cosmos causing cosmic chaos, but this time with a temporal twist that sends the Prince tumbling through different historical periods.
What struck me most about the trailer was how it maintains the series’ distinctive art style while introducing new visual elements. I spotted the Prince rolling through what appears to be prehistoric times, medieval castles, and futuristic cityscapes. The seamless transitions between eras suggest that time-travel won’t just be a narrative gimmick but a core gameplay mechanic affecting how we build our katamaris.
The soundtrack deserves special mention. “Katamari Time!” by chelmico perfectly captures that infectious, impossible-to-ignore energy that Katamari music is known for. After listening to it loop several times (yes, I’m that person), I can already tell this will join classics like “Katamari on the Rocks” in my regular gaming playlist.
Why This 14-Year Wait Matters for Gaming?
When I first played Katamari Damacy on PS2, I never imagined it would become such a beloved franchise or that we’d wait over a decade for a new entry. The series has survived through remasters and re-releases, with We Love Katamari Reroll + Royal Reverie keeping the flame alive, but nothing beats the excitement of genuinely new content.
This extended hiatus actually works in the game’s favor. The gaming landscape has changed dramatically since 2011, and Once Upon A Katamari arrives at a perfect time when players are craving best feel-good video games that offer escape from competitive stress. The Katamari formula of rolling up increasingly absurd objects while vibing to exceptional music feels more relevant than ever.
What’s particularly interesting is seeing RENGAME take the reins from original creator Keita Takahashi. While some fans might worry about losing the series’ unique vision, the opening movie suggests the new team understands what makes Katamari special: the perfect balance of chaos and zen, wrapped in a colorful, surreal package.
New Gameplay Features That Have Me Excited
Based on the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase announcement from July 31, 2026, Once Upon A Katamari introduces several gameplay innovations that could revolutionize the rolling experience:
Time-Travel Mechanics
The era-hopping concept isn’t just for show. From what I’ve gathered, each time period will feature period-appropriate objects to collect. Imagine rolling up dinosaurs in prehistoric times, then switching to knights and castles in medieval periods. This could add strategic depth to katamari building that the series hasn’t seen before.
New Power-Up Items
The game introduces special items like magnets and rockets that modify how your katamari behaves. As someone who’s spent hundreds of hours perfecting rolling techniques, these additions could completely change speedrun strategies and challenge completions. The magnet item particularly intrigues me – will it attract specific object types or everything within range?
69 Playable Characters
This massive roster represents the largest character selection in series history. Each character comes with customization options, allowing players to personalize their cosmic experience. I’m hoping this means we’ll see cousins from across the entire series timeline, plus some era-specific newcomers.
KatamariBall: The Multiplayer Mode We Never Knew We Needed
Perhaps the most surprising addition is KatamariBall, a competitive multiplayer mode that transforms the typically peaceful rolling experience into arena-based combat. While Katamari has featured limited multiplayer before, this appears to be the first truly competitive implementation.
From the details available, KatamariBall seems to pit players against each other in timed challenges where size matters even more than usual. I imagine scenarios where players compete to roll up specific objects first or race to reach certain size thresholds. This could become the party game mode that introduces Katamari to a whole new audience.
The cross-platform nature of the release means the multiplayer community should remain healthy across all systems. Whether you’re playing on Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, or PC, you’ll have plenty of cosmic competition.
Platform Availability and Special Bonuses
Once Upon A Katamari launches simultaneously on October 24, 2026 for:
- Nintendo Switch
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (via Steam)
At $39.99 USD (£34.99 UK), it’s priced perfectly as a mid-tier release, acknowledging its niche appeal while remaining accessible. For players who own We Love Katamari Reroll + Royal Reverie on the same platform, there’s a special Young King outfit bonus waiting – a nice touch that rewards series loyalty.
Bandai Namco has also confirmed DLC packs will be available, though specific details remain under wraps. Based on previous entries, I expect costume packs, additional music tracks, and possibly new stages or time periods to explore.
My Predictions and Hopes for Launch (2026)
After analyzing every frame of the opening movie and recent announcements, I have high hopes for Once Upon A Katamari. The time-travel theme provides the perfect excuse to revisit and reimagine classic Katamari scenarios while introducing entirely new concepts. I particularly hope RENGAME includes references to best retro games of all time, given the era-hopping nature and the original Katamari Damacy’s status as a gaming classic.
My biggest question remains: will the new team capture that perfect balance of frustration and satisfaction that defines great Katamari levels? The opening movie suggests they understand the assignment, but execution will be everything.
Why You Should Mark Your Calendar?
Once Upon A Katamari represents more than just another sequel – it’s a testament to the enduring appeal of unique, creative gameplay in an industry often dominated by safe sequels and battle royales. The October 24, 2026 release date can’t come soon enough for fans who’ve been rolling the same levels for over a decade.
Whether you’re a series veteran who remembers the PS2 original or a newcomer curious about the hype, this new entry promises to be the most accessible and feature-rich Katamari experience yet. The combination of classic rolling gameplay, time-travel mechanics, competitive multiplayer, and that incredible soundtrack creates a package that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
The opening movie trailer has done its job perfectly: reminding us why we fell in love with this bizarre, beautiful series while promising new adventures worthy of a 14-year wait. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to listen to “Katamari Time!” just one more time… or maybe fifty.