Katamari Damacy is an example of how unusual of an idea the Japanese can come up with. This puzzle/action game involves rolling a ball over a bunch of objects which, in effect, increases in size. Eventually, it’ll be big enough to roll up people and even planets! Namco first introduced this concept with its first game for the PS2 in 2004. That time, Katamari Damacy gave a truly unique gaming experience like no other. There were sequels that followed and were released for the PS3 and Xbox 360. And now, the Playstation Vita gets to share in the Japanese creativity with Namco’s portable version, called Touch My Katamari.
Your objective is to roll up as many objects that you come across, either lying around or moving about, within a set time limit. Most levels give you the objective of reaching a certain size before you can progress further. Others grants you a calorie limit, in which case your task is to collect salads and avoid fatty and unhealthy foods like burgers. When you complete the level, the King of All Cosmos will take your ball of…whatever…and turn it into a star.
If you played the console version of this game, you’ll know how challenging the controls can be. But in Touch My Katamari, moving your ball around seems a bit easier to perform. You get the twin stick controls whose function remains consistent with the console version. Also you get to use the touch screen and rear pad. Specifically, if you swipe with two fingers outward, you end up stretching your Katamari. This lets you cover more area from left to right as you try to capture more objects for your ball.  Brining your two fingers together will get Katamari to become tall and narrow. This will allow you to move faster as well as be able to go up inclines with ease.
Touch My Katamari has an array of pastel colors presented in a crisp and clear environment filled with detail and smooth textures. Besides the graphics, the audio is also executed well. The music can get wacky at times while the strange sound effects you hear as you roll up creatures and even people will have you chuckling. And if you like to listen to the King talk, you’ll hear the record scratches similar to the effects that DJs make.
Touch My Katamari manages to keep a light-hearted atmosphere with a tongue-and-cheek sense of humor. You’ll get all kinds of peculiar and interesting items for you to run over. In addition, the commentary from the King of All Cosmos can be amusing with all the gibberish that you get from his mouth. They don’t really make any sense but it’s still funny! Additionally, the mini film starring Goro the Slacker will keep you smiling.
The thirteen levels in Touch My Katamari is long enough to keep you occupied for a few hours. By completing each level, you get candies that act as currency for you to spend on such things like soundtracks, an alternate mode for the levels you completed, and new outfits for the King.
The main menu can be very annoying when you’re trying to find out where the next level is. Although it’s a unique and creative approach, it can be time consuming when you’re going through each character that represents a level. A list of challenges would have been preferred.
But overlooking this issue, Touch My Katamari still remains to be one heck of a game. Its superior and intuitive controls will allow even beginners to pick up and play right away.  As well, the fun and hilarious content will have you rolling around yourself with laughter. You can get this nifty title for the Vita for $29.99. So why wait? It’s time to get the ball rolling!
