Once Upon a Katamari launches on Switch 2 with new DLC on October 8

Bandai Namco has announced that Once Upon a Katamari, the most recent entry in its long-running action puzzle series, will arrive on the Nintendo Switch 2 on 8 October 2026. The announcement, confirmed by the publisher across multiple regional divisions, coincides with the simultaneous release of a new downloadable content expansion, Rolling LIVE Highlights.

The Nintendo Switch 2 iteration introduces technical enhancements over the original Nintendo Switch version. According to Bandai Namco, players can expect a smoother frame rate and higher-definition graphics. Furthermore, the console version will support exclusive mouse controls, a feature intended to provide a new rolling sensation during gameplay. Owners of the original Nintendo Switch version who play on the Nintendo Switch 2 will receive a free update to unlock these performance and control improvements.

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Regarding data continuity, Bandai Namco confirmed that players on the Nintendo Switch will be able to transfer their save data to the Nintendo Switch 2, provided that no save data already exists on the new system.

The Rolling LIVE Highlights Expansion

Launching alongside the new hardware version, the Rolling LIVE Highlights DLC will be available for purchase across all platforms where the base game is currently released: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, and the Nintendo Switch. This expansion draws significant inspiration from the mobile game Katamari Damacy Rolling LIVE, which was released in 2025. The content includes:

• 10 new quests
• 12 new songs
• 6 new cousins
• 18 new accessories

In the narrative of the expansion, players assist the King of All Cosmos in navigating trends and impressing fans by rolling alongside Earth’s streamers. While the core game involves The Prince traveling through time—visiting the Jurassic Period, the Ice Age, and historic Japan—to rebuild stars destroyed by the King, the DLC focuses on these streamer-themed environments and quests.

Gameplay and Customization

Once Upon a Katamari features a cast of 68 cousins, all of whom, along with The Prince, can be customized with various facial features and colors. These characters are used in the game's competitive multiplayer mode, KatamariBall. In this mode, four players compete to roll the largest Katamari to earn points within a set time limit. The mode supports both online multiplayer and offline play against CPU opponents.

Additional gameplay features include a magnet tool for attracting nearby items and a soundtrack that combines series classics with new compositions. Bandai Namco also noted that players with existing save data from Katamari Damacy ReRoll or We Love Katamari ReRoll+ Royal Reverie will unlock a playable Young King character at launch.

Product Editions and Availability

As part of the rollout, Bandai Namco is updating its library of available editions. The Royal Sound Edition will replace the existing King of Sound Edition, which the publisher stated will be discontinued on 7 October 2026. The new game and DLC will be offered in bundles for the Nintendo Switch 2, though the DLC remains available as a separate purchase for all other platforms.

For further updates on the release, including potential physical release details, users are encouraged to monitor Nintendo Everything, Shacknews, and the official Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe news portal.