1 Centimeter Mission

Lore & Background

The setting is typically the Prince's bedroom, a cluttered domestic space filled with toys, furniture, and household items. This mundane environment contrasts sharply with the cosmic stakes of the mission. As the katamari grows from a mere centimeter to a full meter, it transforms from a small toy into a rolling mass capable of swallowing larger objects like chairs and lamps, demonstrating the escalating scale that defines the series.

In Their Own Story

The room is quiet until the King's voice booms through the ceiling. The Prince stands before a single, lonely pin on the floor. With a determined nod, he leans forward and rolls his tiny ball over it. The pin sticks fast. He picks up speed, rolling past a scattered Lego brick, then a marble. Each collision adds weight, momentum building as the small sphere begins to wobble with newfound mass.

Reader's Guide

The player begins as a tiny katamari in the Prince's bedroom. The objective is to roll over small objects like pins, matches, and erasers to increase the ball's size. As the katamari grows, it becomes capable of picking up larger items such as action figures, books, and eventually furniture. The player must navigate around obstacles while ensuring they do not roll off the edge of the room. Once the katamari reaches exactly one meter in diameter, a star appears on the screen, signaling the completion of the mission. This level is crucial as it establishes the fundamental gameplay loop: rolling over objects to grow larger.

Did You Know?

• The starting object for this mission varies slightly depending on the specific version but is always something very small like a pin or matchstick.
• This mission introduces the player to the concept that the katamari's size determines what it can pick up.
• Completing this level unlocks the next stage, which usually takes place in a larger area like the garden or living room.
• The music for this stage is famously upbeat and sets the tone for the rest of the game.