 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Me and My Katamari
Common Sense Media says
Everyone will have a ball with this surreal game.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this third installment in the cult Japanese Katamari series contains nothing objectionable -- unless you object to rolling up people and animals in a giant sticky ball. Players can connect to other PSPs, but it's very unlikely they would connect to strangers, as the game doesn't support Internet play. The surreal adventures feature campy graphics and oddball dialogue, which may not make sense to young players.
What's it about?
Players who've experienced Katamari Damacy and We Love Katamari will be familiar with the premise here: Players direct Prince, son of the King of All Cosmos, as he pushes a sticky ball around a variety of environments (seaside town, office desk, swimming pool, zoo), collecting hundreds of objects that litter the scene.
Players start by rolling small stuff, like thumbtacks, and as they progress they can roll up animals, people, and even continents. The objective is to collect enough of a single type of object -- loud, heavy, expensive, soft, etc. -- so that the katamari (the ball) can be turned into an island for a needy animal. Sound strange? It is. But it's completely addictive, too.
Is it any good?
With infectious music, strange dialogue ("It slipped our silky mind!"), bright colors, and a campy sense of humor, ME AND MY KATAMARI may not appeal to every gamer. But if you're looking for a change of pace from the mindless first-person shooter or fighting games, this may fit the bill.
The series' move to the PSP is perfect for short portable gaming sessions (each level can be played in 15 minutes). Namco did add the ability to connect to other PSPs and roll against each other in a common level, but this multiplayer option doesn't support open Internet play. In the end, this installment is faithful to earlier editions. It makes a nice addition to the strange, wonderful world of Katamari.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how this game's strange premise sets it apart from other video game titles. What direction do you think video games are going: Are they getting more varied, or more similar?
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| Platforms: | PSP |
| Available online? | Available online |
| Genre: | Puzzle |
| Developer: | Namco Bandai |
| Release date: | March 21, 2006 |
| Price: | $39.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E for Alcohol References, Mild Fantasy Violence |
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