iPhone App Review: I Love Katamari

Name: I Love Katamari (iTunes Link)
Written By: Namco Networks America Inc.
Category: Games
Price: $7.99
Size: 84.0 MB
Requirements: iPhone / iPod Touch

“I Love Katamari” is a fun and addictive puzzle game created by Namco. It can also be found on various gaming platforms, but the version for the iPhone and iPod touch brings you an experience you can’t find anywhere else.

As the story goes, “The King of All Cosmos has accidentally knocked all the stars out of the sky during a crazy night out. It is up to the pint-sized Prince to put the twinkle back in the heavens.” You play the role of the young prince who’s undying wish is to please his father. The King of All Cosmos sends the young prince to Earth to bring back his requested object.

The object of the game is to roll a katamari (a very adhesive ball) around various locations to collect interesting objects such as pencils, push pins, sushi, and more! Larger objects can be rolled up in your katamari as its diameter increases. I know this sounds very weird, but it’s also highly addictive and you’ll find yourself tiling your iPhone/iPod touch in all directions.

Keep in mind that rolling the desired object is the goal and not rolling everything in sight. The game features a few play modes: Story Mode (find and roll-up the King’s requested object), Time Attack Mode (roll up as much as possible in a limited time), Exact Size Challenge Mode (match exactly a requested katamari size), and Eternal Mode (roll at your own pace without any time or size limit). Finishing the challenge in Story Modes opens up new adventures for you though.

The graphics of the game are fun and the music is entertaining. My only concern is the speed of the animation, but hopefully that will be fixed in the next update. Try out “I Love Katamari Lite” (iTunes Link) to get the feel of the game, which includes the first level.

This was originally published and featured in iProng Magazine Issue #36.

Related Products:

The Business of iPhone and iPad App Development: Making and Marketing Apps that Succeed

The phenomenal success of the iPhone, iPad and the iPod touch has ushered in a “gold rush” for developers, but with well over 300,000 apps ... Read More >

Apple iPhone 3G 8GB - UnlockedThe Apple iphone 3G 8GB - Unlocked is the second generation Apple device designed to work anywhere in the world. Just pop in your sim card and go. This phone uses fast 3G technology and provides lightening data speeds. The phone cannot be updated or restored or you may lose your unlocked status.

Best iPhone Apps (Best Apps)

With over 250,000 apps to choose from in Apple's App Store, you can make your iPhone or iPod Touch do just about anything you can imagine -- and al... Read More >

Popularity: 10% [?]