This is one of my all-time favorite games. Great for the serious or casual gamer, old or young. For [...] it's a no-brainer. Buy!

This game is fun, relaxing,replayable. I always enjoy sitting back and play a bit of this game, again and again, I can roll up all kinds of stuff, flowers, tons of flowers, clouds, cranes,candies...and believe me, it is hard to roll up 100% of the require stuff. oh and did I memtion Tons of funs?

I love this game! I'm 51 and played it when it first came out after buying it for my son. We've all aged and we still play it. I think it's great for ages 5 to 95! I only wish there were more family friendly games like this available.

This was my first PS2 game. I had seen some friends play it at college, and I thought it looked fun. I found it in a bargain bin for $9, and decided it would be a good starting point for console gaming. The opening screen is full of color, dancing animals, and probably hallucinogenics. The theme song is playing, and it really gets you into the mood to roll up the world!

Learning the controls was difficult as I had never used the analog sticks before. However, the tutorials in the beginning were very helpful. Once I got used to rolling, I couldn't wait to get to the levels!

There are four types of levels:
1) Make a Star. You have a time limit and a size goal. Roll up everything you can!
2) Constellations "Collect as many as you can". In these levels, you have to roll up as many of one type of item as you can. For example, to make Virgo, you have to roll up as many "maidens" (girls) as you can. You can roll up other objects to increase the diameter of the katamari, but you are judged by the count of that one category.
3) Constellations "Find the biggest". In order to make Ursa Major and Taurus, you have to roll up the biggest bear or cow you can. The first item of this category that you pick up will end the level. You will be judged on the size of that object. But beware! Accidentally roll over that teddy bear or that milk container, and it's all over. I found these levels to be frustrating.
4) North Star. Get the katamari as close to 10 meters as possible, without a size indicator.

The music is the best part of the game. The songs create a "must roll" feeling, and they're upbeat.

The King of All Cosmos says some wonderful things, especially if you fail a level. Don't skip his dialog the first time! And beware, you will start to speak in the royal "We".

There are three levels in which you can unlock "Eternal" mode. "Eternal mode" lets you roll around the level with no time limit! It's a great way to teach someone how to play and let them get used to the controls without the threat of failure. These levels are Make a Star 4, 8, and 10 (Make the Moon). To unlock this mode, you have to create a very large katamari. Keep trying!

You can also achieve "comets" by reaching the goal very quickly. I haven't found any reward for getting these comets, but it makes you feel good.

This game will make you smile. Whether it's the thrill of rolling up your opponent in two-player mode, or simply hearing the satisfying "Meow" when you roll up your first cat, the happiness cannot be avoided. If you have been suffering from self-inflicted wrist injury a la Guitar Hero or Rock Band, this is the cure!

This game is obviously not plot-driven. In fact, it contains one of the most conceited plots I've ever heard of... but because the plot matters so little, it is incredibly easy to ignore, and so you just go your way rolling stuff up and becoming the stuff of legend. You start with erasers and thumbtacks, then work your way up to animals and people and finally houses and towers and Godzilla and islands. One of my favorite games ever and one of the only three I ever play on a regular basis (the others are Okami and DDR). Every time I play this game I laugh and smile. It never gets old. The music, which ranges in genre from techno to jazz, is just as great. I have the soundtrack and listen to it frequently.
Don't at all be disheartened by the low-key menu screen. Just wait until the intro starts playing. ;)