Once Upon A Katamari Young King Guide: Unlock the REROLL Bonus Cousin

Meet the Young King: The Cousin That Rewards Returning Players

The Once Upon A Katamari Young King is one of the most talked-about unlockables in the series' first new mainline entry in 14 years — and it's surprisingly easy to miss. Unlike the dozens of cousins you meet just by rolling through stages, this royal variant is tied to save data from earlier remasters, which means that old Katamari Damacy REROLL file on your console is suddenly worth something.

If you have been wondering why a tiny crowned character keeps appearing in other players' screenshots, this guide explains exactly how the Once Upon A Katamari Young King works, what triggers the bonus, and how to customize him once he joins your roster.

Once Upon A Katamari launched on October 24, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, with a Nintendo Switch 2 release following alongside additional DLC. The game brings back the Prince, the King of All Cosmos, and a sprawling cousin collection — but the Young King sits in a category of his own.

What Exactly Is the Young King Cousin?

The Young King is a special cousin character: a smaller, younger-looking take on the King of All Cosmos himself. He rolls like any other cousin, but he stands out visually, which makes him a favorite base for player customization.

He is not part of the standard progression path. You will not find him by clearing a stage or hitting a score threshold. Instead, the game treats him as a loyalty bonus — officially labeled the REROLL BONUS — reserved for players who have history with the two most recent remasters.

That design decision says a lot about how the developers approached this entry. After more than a decade without a new Katamari Damacy game, rewarding long-time fans with a recognizable royal character is a smart piece of fan service. Community reports consistently describe him as one of the more satisfying characters to dress up, largely because he looks so different from the Prince and the standard cousin lineup.

How to Unlock the Once Upon A Katamari Young King

The unlock process is short, but it has a strict order. If you skip a step or use the wrong profile, the bonus simply will not appear.

If no notice appears, the three usual culprits are: the tutorial in KDR or WLKR was never finished, the Once Upon A Katamari save is on a different profile, or you have not yet cleared Chapter 1. Fix those and the message should trigger the next time you load the game.

Eligibility Check: Which Save Files Trigger the Bonus

Not every old Katamari save counts. Here is a quick reference for what does and does not qualify.

Player experience suggests that simply having the save present is enough — you do not need to replay stages or re-earn any collectibles. The game checks for the file, not for your completion percentage.

Young King vs. the Rest of the Roster

It helps to see where the Young King fits compared to the other characters you can roll as. Once Upon A Katamari lets you unlock, play as, and customize up to 68 cousins through normal progression, but the Young King sits outside that flow.

That last row matters because new players often confuse the two. The King of All Cosmos is the towering figure who narrates and judges your rolls. The Young King is a cousin you control — a miniature tribute rather than the same character.

Customizing Your Royal Roller

The Young King's real appeal is what happens after the unlock. Because he is treated like any other cousin in the customization system, you can build him however you like.

Accessories are where the Deluxe edition pays off. The King of All Sounds edition bundles two DLC packs: Side A includes 26 background music tracks and up to 18 accessories, while Side B adds 34 more tracks and 8 additional accessories. For players who want their royal cousin to look the part, that is a large wardrobe to draw from.

Rolling With the Young King in Multiplayer

KatamariBall is the game's competitive mode, and it is the fastest way to show off a customized cousin. The rules are simple: roll, roll, roooll, and finish with the highest score.

Because CPUs automatically fill open spots, you never need a full group of four to start. That makes KatamariBall a good testing ground for a new Young King build — you can queue solo, see how he handles, and then invite friends once you are happy with the look.

Power items are the other thing to learn early. They are mapped differently across platforms, and the PC binding in particular catches people off guard.

With those controls down, you are ready to roll up pins, fish, cars, buildings, and everything else in your path — whether you are playing as the Prince or as the Once Upon A Katamari Young King.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of the Unlock

A few practical habits make the whole process smoother:

• Do not delete your REROLL saves. They are the entire key to the bonus, and re-earning them means replaying a full tutorial.
• Set everything up on one profile. Saves and Once Upon A Katamari must live on the same account.
• Finish Chapter 1 before troubleshooting. Most "missing bonus" reports come from players who simply had not progressed far enough yet.
• Screenshot the notice message. It is a clean confirmation that the game registered your save, and it helps if you need to troubleshoot later.
• Check MENU > Prince and Cousins after saving. This is the definitive confirmation that the character exists in your roster.
• Consider the Deluxe edition if you like customization. The accessory count in the two DLC packs is substantial.

For the official details on release platforms, editions, and bonus content, the Once Upon A Katamari FAQ on the Bandai Namco website is the most reliable reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to own Katamari Damacy REROLL to get the Once Upon A Katamari Young King? You need save data from either Katamari Damacy REROLL or We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie, with the tutorial completed. Owning just one of the two is enough.

Can I unlock the Young King on Nintendo Switch 2? The bonus is tied to save data rather than to a specific platform, so the same requirements apply across the supported versions of the game, including the Nintendo Switch 2 release.

Is the Young King the same character as the King of All Cosmos? No. The King of All Cosmos is a story figure who appears throughout the campaign. The Young King is a playable cousin character with his own customization slot.

How many cousins can I unlock in total? Once Upon A Katamari lets you unlock, play as, and customize up to 68 cousins through normal progression, with the Young King sitting outside that count as a bonus unlock.

Whether you are a returning fan with a dusty REROLL save or a newcomer curious about the royal roster, the Once Upon A Katamari Young King is worth the extra setup. Finish that tutorial, clear Chapter 1, and let the good times roll.