Katamari Damacy- system seller?

[RJ]

A buddy of mine said he heard this on G4:

 

“The real test of a good game is whether the game itself can sell a console. If someone is willing to buy a console just to play a game, then THAT is the true test of a great game.”

 

I tend to agree; it'd have to be a GREAT game.

 

He says Katamari Damacy isnt/wasnt good enough to sell a system- that no one bought a PS2 to play this game. (I said many people who bought KD already HAD a PS2). I told him I'd post here to get some feedback on the issue.

 

So, anyone out there buy a PS2 to play this game?

[Jasoco]

It was for me. Not even Jak and Daxter could convince me to buy the PS2 I have. It was Katamari and the promise of a sequel that got me to actually make the decision.

[jeepnut24]

No, but it has my interest peaked in picking up a PS2. Id get one more for GT4 if it had online though. I would love to spend some time with KD though. Rave reviews from just about everone Ive seen.

[Lost Monkey]

In theory, I guess it could be true.. I bought the game a few weeks after release due to the groundswell of praise it received.. (I still haven't gotten around to picking up a system though...)

 

I've played it for several hours on my nephew's Ps2.. it gives me motion sickness, but I love it anyway...

[NE146]

I bought the ps2 out of the gate, so I'm out. Would Katamari Damacy have made me go out and buy a console I don't have just to play it? Nope.

 

I love the game though.

[joeybastard]

I've played it for several hours on my nephew's Ps2.. it gives me motion sickness, but I love it anyway...

 

Sorry to go OT but I have the same problem on many modern games. I tried those accupressure wrist bands for motion sickness and they really helped on most games, you might want to give them a shot. Didn't help on Timesplitters 2 though, I'm going to end up trading that in I guess.

[jeepnut24]

I've played it for several hours on my nephew's Ps2.. it gives me motion sickness, but I love it anyway...

 

Sorry to go OT but I have the same problem on many modern games. I tried those accupressure wrist bands for motion sickness and they really helped on most games, you might want to give them a shot. Didn't help on Timesplitters 2 though, I'm going to end up trading that in I guess.

 

It seems to be fairly common these days, and Timesplitters 2 is one of the most common offenders. Perhaps due to the odd controlls for a FPS. When it was released, I saw quite a few threads from people with the same problem.

[n8littlefield]

If I did not already own a PS2, and rented Katamari...I would say yes, it would likely be enough to sell the system for me. Katamari and Ico together would make it a defininate.

[sega saturn x]

That is some pretty ass backwards logic

[kemsted]

I already owned a PS2 when I bought KD. I did buy my PS2 to play Vice City, and it is a great game.

 

I used to get headaches from Goldeneye and Halo, but eveentually , they just went away. Ive never played timesplitters so I dont know what thats like.

 

-kemsted

[Albert]

KD's a great game, although a bit on the short side (of course, you can go back and spend time redoing levels). Would I buy a system just to play it? Probably not, but it is a breath of fresh air and I'm looking forward to the sequel.

 

..Al

[spacecadet]

If I didn't already own a PS2, Katamari Damacy would have pushed me over the top. Would it have sold me on the system at launch if it was the only game I wanted? No, but taking the rest of the PS2's library into account, and the fact that the system's $149 at this point, yes, I would have finally bought a system based on KD if I didn't already own one. The instant I saw this game on TV (on one of G4's stupid review shows) I knew I had to have it. And it's now one of my favorite games on the system. Yeah, it's short, but I have replayed every level about five times and the fun has not diminished.

 

In 10-15 years I predict this game will be remembered a lot better than a lot of the more popular games on the market today.

[Stingray]

Gran Turismo 3 was the game that made me choose a PS2 over the other modern consoles. Katamari Damacy is a great game, but as Al pointed out, it's a little short. So, yes it's a blast, but I don't think it's enough to sway many people into choosing one console over the others.

 

-S

[The Eidolon]

It's pretty late in the console's lifespan for a new title to push people

over the edge enough to buy one if they haven't for all these years.

That being said, Katamari is one of those games that I've heard

enough good things about that it's made me sorely tempted to look

at buying a PS2...

 

(But only because I also want to play

R-Type Final

Gradius V

FFX

Half Life

Ico

etc...)

 

--The Eidolon

[Artlover]

KD's a great game, although a bit on the short side (of course,

Longer then Halo2.

 

It is a great game, but not so much that I would have bought a PS2 just for it.

 

I bought my PS2 for GTA:SA. I also bought a N64 for LoZ:OoT.

[sku_u]

Katamari Damacy is an extremely fun game with some staying power which is very rare in a modern game.

 

As for whether or not I'd buy a system to play it on, that depends...is the PS3 already out and popular at that point?

[Albert]

KD's a great game, although a bit on the short side (of course,

Longer then Halo2.

 

All I can say is that I'm glad I never bought an Xbox to play the original Halo. Halo was of a reasonable length, but it was extremely repetitive and I thought it took a somewhat bizarre turn with The Flood, where I was suddenly playing a horror movie. After that, I really had no desire to play Halo 2. I ended up playing Halo on the Mac, which I was able to get for free since I did the Japanese port for OS X.

 

..Al

[spacecadet]

All I can say is that I'm glad I never bought an Xbox to play the original Halo. Halo was of a reasonable length, but it was extremely repetitive and I thought it took a somewhat bizarre turn with The Flood, where I was suddenly playing a horror movie.  After that, I really had no desire to play Halo 2.  I ended up playing Halo on the Mac, which I was able to get for free since I did the Japanese port for OS X.  

 

I've gotta be one of the big Xbox weirdos in that I bought an Xbox on launch day to play Project Gotham and DOA3. I don't even own Halo or Halo 2 and have no real desire to play either one. I may pick them up someday when they hit $10 or so.

 

Games like Halo are games that are popular when they're out, but over the years their flaws become more and more apparent and they're superceded by games in the same genre with better graphics, more action, etc. I usually don't buy games like this much, although you could really say the same about most driving or fighting games too and I'm a sucker for those. I'm usually not impressed by games that don't really have any lasting qualities, though.

 

Katamari Damacy's only real flaws are that it's short and it has some camera issues. The shortness is double-edged, though - for one thing, it's longer than most classic games, and for another, you only think it's short because you don't want it to end. If the game sucked, nobody would be complaining about how short it is. As for the camera issues, that's something pretty much every third-person 3D game has dealt with, and nobody's ever really figured out a satisfactory solution that completely eliminates the problem. So it's not specific to KD.

 

I think it's a game that will be played and remembered for a long time. It's really Namco's return to doing the great puzzle/maze games that they used to be so well-known for, IMO. (Some say that about Mr. Driller, but I always thought that game was a little too simple and boring.)

[Justin42]

I thought I was the only Xbox owner who didn't care about Halo... I have it (actually 2 copies, now-- one I got for $14.99 on sale and the other I got with my green Xbox about a year later).. but PGR was definitely THE game I wanted to play. I still think the game is underrated, but it's not as much better than Metropolis Street Racer was on the DC. I guess I was hoping for much more. It's prettier, and a much more refined take on the concept... (the bump mapping on the street is almost annoying to me... it's TOO perfect! )

 

As for Katamari-- it's a great game, and I'm glad I found mine, but I don't think I'd buy a PS2 for it. But there are enough fun, unique games for the PS2 that it IS a worthwhile purchase for any gamer... you just have to avoid the dreck.. but I can't see Katamari being a system seller at this point.

[MegaManFan]

KD is wacky, original, and fun enough it could be a system seller, but not in any way close to the volume or level that the GTA series, the Madden series, and the FF series are. Those games all have diehard followers, plenty of crossover recognition, and people will buy a PS2 just to play them. KD on the other hand will sell a console to someone who doesn't have one if they get it at a reduced price (like the $150 slimline) and they're into wacky puzzles, challenging platformers, and obscure Japanese games. It's a much smaller niche and it does push consoles, but it's like comparing a flea to an elephant. (Now get out that Katamari ball and roll them both up, and don't forget to look for Vending Machine older sister and younger sister while you're at it. Otherwise the King will be very dissapointed in you, oh diminutive one!)

[n8littlefield]

As a side note, there is a website reporting that the next Nintendo Power Magazine confirms that Katamari is coming to the Nintendo DS. I'm not sure if it's a system seller for a handheld, but I know I'm reserving it the day it gets entered into the EB computer system! And I thought I played Warewario Touched alot...Katamari will never leave the DS once it comes out!

[figgler]

KD is wacky, original, and fun enough it could be a system seller, but not in any way close to the volume or level that the GTA series, the Madden series, and the FF series are.  Those games all have diehard followers, plenty of crossover recognition, and people will buy a PS2 just to play them.  KD on the other hand will sell a console to someone who doesn't have one if they get it at a reduced price (like the $150 slimline) and they're into wacky puzzles, challenging platformers, and obscure Japanese games.  It's a much smaller niche and it does push consoles, but it's like comparing a flea to an elephant.

 

This is a good point. Depending on anyone's preferences, any game that is good could be a system seller. If people are willing to buy a PS2 for Katamari, I can't see why Maximo, King of Fighters 2000 / 01 or even Crash Nitro Kart wouldn't sell systems. It all depends on what genres you love and how much you believe the hype.

 

Either way, I'd say that even vapourware sells many more systems than all these quirky niche type games combined.

[Lost Monkey]

KD is wacky, original, and fun enough it could be a system seller, but not in any way close to the volume or level that the GTA series, the Madden series, and the FF series are.  Those games all have diehard followers, plenty of crossover recognition, and people will buy a PS2 just to play them.  KD on the other hand will sell a console to someone who doesn't have one if they get it at a reduced price (like the $150 slimline) and they're into wacky puzzles, challenging platformers, and obscure Japanese games.  It's a much smaller niche and it does push consoles, but it's like comparing a flea to an elephant.

 

This is a good point. Depending on anyone's preferences, any game that is good could be a system seller. If people are willing to buy a PS2 for Katamari, I can't see why Maximo, King of Fighters 2000 / 01 or even Crash Nitro Kart wouldn't sell systems. It all depends on what genres you love and how much you believe the hype.

 

Either way, I'd say that even vapourware sells many more systems than all these quirky niche type games combined.

 

Exclusivity also plays a big role in that.. I bought KD and I don't have a PS2.. I will buy one eventually, but KD is THE game that made me decide that I finally needed one.