Game Stooge

First Screens of Beautiful Katamari Revealed

• Scribbled on April 20th, 2007 by Devin Grimes
• Filed in Microsoft Xbox 360, Platformer, Puzzle, Sony PlayStation 3

Recently, Famitsu officially unveiled the existence of the long rumoured Beautiful Katamari Damacy. Now, Namco-Bandai’s officially coming out of the closet with the goods, releasing some screen shots as well as an official press release, confirming a state-side debut.

Some of the key points in the press release include: 720p next-gen graphics, “unforgettable” soundtrack, and the real kicker — online multiplayer for both Xbox LIVE and the Playstation Network.

IGN has also posted up three screen shots from the Xbox 360 version which look rather unimpressive for “720p next-gen graphics.” Sure, the text is a little clearer, lines are crisper, but they need to do more to differentiate the graphics in the “next-gen” version from its PS2 predecessor. With the power of the PS3 and 360 they could really do some neat things with textures, but I’m not really seeing anything beyond the bland flat texturing found in the previous generation.

Katamari Damacy’s always been a pretty niche game, and I hate to say it, but Namco-Bandai can’t count on that same crowd buying the same game over and over again.

Click “Read more” for the pics and press release, and give us your opinion in the comments!

Namco Bandai Games Announces Beautiful Katamari, Rolling out in HD and Online for the First Time By Namco Bandai Games

Santa Clara, Calif., April 20, 2007 – Leading video games publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. announced today that The King of All Cosmos, everyone’s favorite pint-sized Prince, and the whole wacky and wild Katamari crew will be making their hilarious next generation debut in Beautiful Katamari for the PLAYSTATION3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft later this year. The newest installment in the insanely popular and highly captivating Katamari series will be rolling into the next generation world with Katamari-style quirky and unique high-definition graphics, an unforgettable new soundtrack, and a new online multiplayer feature that will have old and new players alike spinning when the title hits store shelves.

Experience the new high-definition, next generation sights and sounds of Beautiful Katamari as the Prince takes on a new high-rolling adventure, with his famous cousins in tow, to save the Katamari universe once again after the King of All Cosmos has a very un-royal and unfortunate accident. As usual, the King of All Cosmos demands the service of his son, the Prince, to roll anything and everything up into massive clumps and set things right, bringing harmony once again to the Katamari Cosmos.

Take the Prince for a spin in astounding 720p next-gen graphics, that stay true to the quirky yet captivating art direction the series is known for, but glistening with a new coat of paint in high-definition, as the Prince is tasked to roll up bizarre objects in brand new environments. To keep his son inspired, the King of All Cosmos will provide another fresh and memorable soundtrack that will have players moving and grooving to the beat as they roll through the absurd, yet wonderful world of Beautiful Katamari.

One is a lonely number, but thankfully the Prince can humbly ask the aid of over 50 of his cousins to get the ball rolling through his quest. The cousins have discovered new games to play since last time out, and love to compete with friends in multiplayer Katamari rolling games either together or online over Xbox Live and the PLAYSTATION Network. The Prince and his cousins’ online adventure won’t end there as a variety of future downloadable content will become available, continuing to expand on the amazing world of Beautiful Katamari, long after the game has launched. More online features will be rolled out at a later date.

For more information about Beautiful Katamari and other NAMCO BANDAI products please visit: http://www.namcobandaigames.com

About NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.

NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., is a leading interactive entertainment software publisher and developer based in Santa Clara, CA. The company is a part of the NAMCO BANDAI group of companies known for creating and publishing many of the industry’s top video game franchises including the PAC-MAN, SOULCALIBUR, Naruto and Tekken brands. For more information about NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., and our products log onto www.namcobandaigames.com.

(Via Kotaku)