Topic: Katamari DamaWii?... one can dream

[Dryden]

Katamari Damacy.

Got to replaying this game and it's sequel, We Heart Katamari, last night.  Just rolling around inside these brilliant games really got me to thinking about a sequel coming to the Wii.

Econmonically and business wise, I don't see why it won't happen.  Namco and Nintendo have a strong business relationship, and Katamari only hit the PS2 over the Gamecube because the PS2 base was so much larger.  Now the PS3 is moving infinately far away from low-polygon looking games like Katamari, and the Wii is closer to Katamari's philosophy of play.  It's a match made in gamer's heaven.

Not only that, but Nintendo's Blue Ocean philosophy begs to have Katamari Damacy on it's side.  I have parties at my house, and people flock to watch "the rolling game" that they've seen at other people's houses.  They love "the rolling game".  (Miyamoto's wife probably would too).

Creatively, the Wii offers a lot the PS2 didn't, most importantly control with the Wiimote and Nunchuck.  Other ideas likely implemented would be rolling up the Miis (or using one as your playable character), and the possibility of Elebits-style level creation and sharing.

The only reason I can think of for this not happening?  If Namco is putting the series to sleep and shifting their brilliant creative minds behind Katamari Damacy onto brand new projects which could be destined for any platform.

Thoughts?  Rumours?  Speculation?  (If anyone suggests that The Prince is a playable character in Smash Bros Brawl, though...)

[Magik]

Considering how Namco created the PSP version even though the creator said not to, I wouldn't be surprised if Katamari popped up on the Wii.  And with the way wiimakes are popping up, probably a wiimake of the original Katamari.

[Dryden]

I didn't know the original creator didn't work on the PSP game...
Was it any good?  As good as the first two?

[Magik]

Nope.  The lack of a second analog made it very difficult to play.

[KDR_11k]

The tank controls are a bit awful and difficult for people who've never played any game with tanks. I think the Wiimote would be the perfect controller for Katamari (tilt on the horizontal axes for movement, turn around the vertical for turning, thrust downward for the 180 if it's even still necessary considering the wider range of movement of the Wiimote and the possibility of just giving the Katamari a higher turn speed) but I think most people who played one or two of the games that are already released probably had enough Katamari already (as We already got complaints about repetition).

[Dryden]

Looking for sales figures...
The original hit about 150,000...

Oops.  Stumbled across this instead, from March 2006:
http://gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=8571
To quote: Namco Japan's official website for popular franchise Katamari Damacy has announced that the team behind both the original game and its sequel, We Love Katamari, has dissolved, and that no sequels have been planned.

EDIT:
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3155032
To quote again... Just when everyone had come to terms with their beloved Katamari Damacy series fading away, up pops a trio of trademark applications to get everyone's hopes up for a sequel or three. On August 22, 2006 Bandai Namco Games filed trademark applications for Beautiful Katamari Damacy and Katamari Damacy Tres Bien, and on September 7, a further application was filed for Katamari Damacy-kun.

I can't find any news past that date, other than a stupid rumour about "ohyeahmaybeonWiiandXBLA!"  Soo... cool?

Besides, people who never bought a PS2 are buying up the Wii like mad.  Which means Wiimakes are likely, especially for non-gamer games like Katamari Damacy.  

[NWR_pap64]

Last I read, the creator dissed Nintendo greatly. I enjoyed the game but I thought the fame was getting to his head.

[Ceric]

If they make a Katamari Wii game I want hoop and stick play mechanics.  Instead of using your hands you move the Katamari with a stick.  You make pushing motions like you would with moving a ball with a stick with your Wiimote.  I play that.  

[Dryden]

Wow, that's... that's an incredibly simple idea, Ceric.  Totally workable and instantly accessible.  Miyamoto-san would be proud.

[Ceric]

WooHoo...  Miyamoto is one my favorite people in the world.  I want to meet him, Bill Gates, and Woz.  One day.

They all seem like great guys.

[Requiem]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[couchmonkey]

This is one of those ideas that comes up like every two or three months.  I guess that means it's a good idea!  I think Wii would be a good place for a sequel - it has the potential to be a non-gamer hit (although its weird art design might throw people off).  The team dissolving means nothing, if Namco thinks it will sell, it will get made.  It might be inferior to the originals, though.  

[KDR_11k]

Katamari works for non-gamers, even my mother can play it.  

[Tanookisuit]

From Magicbox today:

"- UNCONFIRMED: Bandai Namco will release Beautiful Katamari and Namco Museum Remix for Wii in November and October 2007 respectively. Beautiful Katamari is the latest work of the Katamari Damacy series, and Namco Museum Remix is a collection of Namco classic arcade games."

I hope this is true.  I love Katamari.

[Nick DiMola]

I've been hearing that alot lately too Tanookisuit, I'm really hoping there is truth to the rumor because that would make for a fantastic Wii game. The two Katamari games on the PS2 are easily my favorite PS2 games, and I'm sure a Wii version would be even better (though I doubt the soundtrack could ever be as awesome as the one in the first game).

[Tanookisuit]

I think it could be great on Wii too.  If it doesn't come out, I'm going to buy a PS2 just for those 2 games.