Katamari – ball-rolling lunacy ends

It’s the end of an era for lovers of the daft-yet-genius ball-rolling mayhem that has been the Katamari Damacy series of games. The forthcoming PSP version, Me And My Katamari, looks like it’s finally and somewhat sadly the end for the groundbreaking series.

Whilst other gaming sites bitch and groan, SPOnG would just like to say one thing, before we go on about less important matters. Thanks to Keita Takahashi for designing and developing a truly fun and innovative game. We hope that you have inspired other artists and game designers to think a little differently when making games in future.

You have certainly made us, along with thousands of other gamers, think differently about playing games and about what we expect from games developers and publishers alike, and for this SPOnG offers our sincere and heartfelt thanks.

If you have a look over on the official Katamari web site, which was pulled down yesterday, you will notice (should you be able to read Japanese in a C3PO-like way) that it states that the Katamari team is moving on to other things and that “Doctor Katamari” (Keita Takahashi) is working on a new non-Katamari title. Also, click through and check out some of the awesome Takahashi designed T-shirts on sale.

Whoever said gamers have no style should check this site out.

Oh, actually, scrub that. That was us talking about ourselves, as we keep forgetting to save up money for clothes and spending it all on obscure SEGA Toys and ‘exclusive’ Monkey Ball merchandise instead.

Takahashi, SPOnG feels, should be applauded for moving on and wanting to create something new and fresh. Of course he could have continued to churn out new Katamari games and gathered together a big pot of money on the way, but it’s clearly not what drives him.

The last we heard Takahashi wanted to concentrate on designing futuristic, undulating children’s school playgrounds. Perhaps this is where his ‘ultimate best contribution to humanity’ lies? If so, SPOnG wishes him well and hopes that our offspring will enjoy playing on a Takahashi-designed playground at some point in a brighter, happier and more colourful future.

Oh and check out these pics of Katamari cosplayers right here which caused Fox News recently to cover the 'phenomenon' as "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" meets "Super Mario Brothers."

Amy of Kencomachi, the photographer of the above weirdoes and the interviewee for the Fox piece, had the following to say about the piece: "Overall I think Fox did a good job with the article. I was worried it'd be a cosplay bash-fest when the reporter asked for an interview, but I think he kept it pretty objective and informative. As you mentioned, I wouldn't call Katamari cosplay the next big thing or a scene, as Katamari cosplay and cosplay in general are nothing new. Katamari cosplay is just cosplay, not necessarily some rare phenomenon."