Once Upon a Katamari Hits Switch 2 Oct 8 With DLC

Bandai Namco has dated the Switch 2 arrival of Once Upon a Katamari for 8 October 2026, bringing with it a native version tuned for better visuals and new control options. The publisher is also pairing the debut with a paid DLC pack called “Rolling LIVE Highlights,” while owners of the original Switch version will receive a free update aimed at closing some of the gameplay gap.

Switch 2 release date and what’s improved

Once Upon a Katamari is set to launch on Switch 2 later this year on 8 October 2026. The Switch 2 edition is described as offering improved resolution and higher frame rates compared with the original version.

Control changes are also a major part of the update. Players will be able to use mouse controls by “rolling” the Joy-Con forward—presented as a similar idea to Drag x Drive.

Free update for existing Switch owners (mouse + frame rate)

Bandai Namco says there’s no confirmed “upgrade path” details for current Switch owners to move to the native Switch 2 version. However, the publisher is offering a free update for players on current hardware.

That update is intended to add the same mouse controls and frame rate improvements for those who play the Switch version on Switch 2. The announcement does not state that resolution improvements are included in this free patch, reserving that enhancement for the native Switch 2 release.

Switch 2 native version (8 Oct 2026): improved resolution, higher frame rate, and mouse controls
Free update for Switch version on Switch 2: mouse controls and higher frame rate
No announced upgrade path: players are not given details on how (or whether) ownership carries over to the Switch 2 edition

Rolling LIVE Highlights DLC lands the same day

The paid DLC “Rolling LIVE Highlights” will launch alongside the Switch 2 release on 8 October 2026. The DLC package includes 10 new quests, 12 new songs, 6 new cousins, and 18 new accessories.

While the Switch 2 edition is the focus of this announcement, there’s no indication that the DLC is exclusive to Switch 2; it’s positioned as launching with the new version while remaining part of the game’s broader DLC offering.

What’s new in the game itself: modes, characters, and KatamariBall

Once Upon a Katamari is positioned as a series entry with new content and modes, including new stages presented as a journey across time. The game also features a new soundtrack, additional customization options, and new tools—highlighted by a magnet for pulling in nearby items.

Players can choose to play as The Prince or any of the 68 cousins, all of which can be customized with different colors and facial features. Those custom characters are used in KatamariBall, a new four-player competitive mode where players try to roll the largest Katamari and convert it into points within a limited time.

KatamariBall supports online multiplayer and offline play against CPU opponents.

In a prior review of Once Upon a Katamari on Switch, the game received an 8/10 score and was described as proving itself as a mainline sequel while differentiating from other action-puzzlers through its “irresistible game feel.”