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Keita Takahashi's Favorite Games of 2016

Katamari creator and game designer Keita Takahashi shares with us some of his 2016 gaming highlights.

Keita Takahashi is a game designer best known for games like Katamari Damacy, We Love Katamari, and Noby Noby Boy. His most recent console game project, Wattam, is currently in development at Funomena. You can follow him on Twitter @KeitaTakahash.

SPL-T (app)

It's a puzzle game that released 2015, but I'm still playing it. I don't know if it's addictive, but I like this simple mechanic, and also its art style using simple black and white.

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Balloon Fight

I bought a Famicom Mini because I wanted my kids to learn a little bit of video game history while playing them. But I have almost forgotten the details of all of the games that the Famicom Mini has, and it turned out some of them are pretty violent, and not so kind like smartphone games. You have to beat/avoid/dodge/shoot bad turtles, bad walking mushrooms, bad aliens, bad seals and bad humans. It was not so easy to explain why the player has to do that to 5-year-old kid, and I think I could not explain the reasons properly. My bad. But Balloon fight is still great. It’s bit tough to play for kids tho.

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Run Yourself Ragged

I forgot how, but I played this game soooo many times when I was a kid. Then I found an original US version on eBay and I got it. (The Japanese one has a nice timer with cute lion on it.) You can even buy a current version of this game now, and surprisingly none of the obstacle designs have changed since its release back in 1979. That's quite impressive, and I think its level/obstacle designs are perfect. This game reminds me what my games should be like.

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The Last Guardian

I could not put The Last Guardian on my official list, even though Ueda-san sent me a sample copy, because I don't have a PS4 right now. I have a feeling I'm going to put it on the list of my favorite games of 2017 if I can buy a PS4 next year.

45 Comments

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dragonzigg

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The best list? The best list.

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TobbRobb

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TheManiacsGnome

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I watched that gif for way to long.

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Itwastuesday

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w0ah

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tiffanytryhard

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Someone get Keita a PS4 so he can put more adorable things out into the world.

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unsolvedparadox

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Love the doodles! Someone make a digital version of Run Yourself Ragged, pronto.

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zorak

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Love Keita Takahashi.

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Naoiko

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That gif...It draws you in. Makes me wanna try and find one of those things now.

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bruno0091

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The game is called Screwball Scramble here... which I think better encapsulates what the game is.

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DrWorm

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Oh, wow! I haven't seen Run Yourself Ragged in about 30 years. Lots of fond memories about it from my childhood.

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irishalwaystake

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Holy shit screwball scramble

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antivanti

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Oh wow! Run Yourself Ragged! I had that exact game! Don't remember if it was called the same here in Sweden but it was the exact same. And yes it was pretty darn great! =D

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JamesM

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I'd completely forgotten Run Yourself Ragged even existed! I'm not sure I ever even knew the name as a kid - who has the time to read what's written on the packaging at that age? Anyway, that invoked some intense nostalgia.

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deactivated-6082e3f123b5f

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very cool

looking forward to wattam

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CharonCaori

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Oh man I played that marble game as a kid, too. I think they must have had one set up in a toy store or something. I have vivid memories of the different obstacles.

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49th

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Screwball Scramble! I literally have one in the room next to me. I'm saving it for my nephew.

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Lab392

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Edited By Lab392

This is the best list of the year. Everyone else tried hard, and I applaud their efforts. But this one makes me feel good.

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Roomrunner

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Oh wow, i haven't thought out those marble games in something like 20 years! Primo list

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citizencoffeecake

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I want to get Run Yourself Ragged for my son now, thanks Keita Takahashi!

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ajamafalous

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This is a great list

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mrsmiley

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Oh my god I played Run Yourself Ragged when I was a kid (same name in the US, surprisingly), and I LOVED it. It really is like a video game in physical form. The closest modern thing I can think of to these are those sphere ball mazes you can buy at Target or Toys R Us.

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NoneSun

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Awesome, and weird. Also I guess they don't pay this guy enough? I pray that this PS4 dev can someday get a PS4.

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newmoneytrash

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I wish more people would put physical games on their list. This is good.

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ArbitraryWater

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I haven't thought about Run Yourself Ragged for a long time. Thanks Takahashi-san.

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rjaylee

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oh my GOD that Balloon Fight illustration

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catalex

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I knew 'Run Yourself Ragged' as 'Screwball Scramble' as a kid (possibly a UK thing?). The only thing I recall about it is my brother accidentally swallowing the metal ball. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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AdequatelyPrepared

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This is the comfiest bestest list I've ever seen on this site.

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redwing42

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Run Yourself Ragged was my favorite game I never owned when I was a child. Great pull.

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FunkyHugo

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This list made me feel very warm.

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audioBusting

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Very cool

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Deckard42

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Edited By Deckard42

Fuck, I had Run Yourself Ragged. That was great!

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Undeadpool

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Is Keita Takahashi wearing a 1-Up on the front page for anyone else?

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WrathOfGod

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This rules.

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Bicycle_Repairman

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These are the kind of lists i can appreciate the most. This one and the Bakalar one...And Ed Beach.

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astrophyle

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Run Yourself Ragged: I couldn't remember what this game was called, but thank you for reminding me! I played this so much as a kid as well. It was a great Rube-Goldberg game. I need to get this for my nephew now.

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ThePilgrums

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This list is adorable. Thank you, sir.

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Admiral_Crunch

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I never knew what that marble game was called because we got it used from a garage sale or something and the name

stand was not attached. Also, "Run Yourself Ragged" sounds like the name of a metal album.

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beef_melody

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Screwball Scramble was great, but I never found it in the shops. Instead I had Kongman, a poor substitute, even with the incredible magnetic wall.

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utternyms

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What is this world in which the creator of Katamari doesn't get free PlayStations for life??????????????????????? Humanity truly is hopeless. Seriously, Sony, fix this. You goddamn fucked up.

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MindChamber

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Bravo List
Edgy and different, for the sake of conformity

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coolowlbro

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This list is perfect.

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boatofcar

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Edited By boatofcar

Thanks for this--great list. Can't wait for Wattam.