Drum roll please.
Bandai Namco has released an announcement trailer for their latest rhythm game, Taiko no Tatsujin (Taiko Drum Master) for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. Fantastic news for Nintendo fans who’ve been waiting patiently since the Nintendo Direct back in March and for those PlayStation fans who also waited since the PlayStation 2 title in 2004. The game is set to release on November 2nd, so not terribly long.
With copyrights between between Japan and in western countries, it’s a bit tedious to figure out what popular tracks will come from Japan to the west. Nintendo Switch players will receive tracks from Kirby and Splatoon 2. PlayStation Blog has reported that the following media will have at least a track in the game (no guarantee if Switch version will have all of these): Neon Genesis Evangelion, Dragon Ball, One Piece, Tekken, IdolM@ster, Hatsune Miku, Frozen, Zootopia, Kemono Friends, Osomatsu San, Touhou Project, Tales of Berseria, Ridge Racer, and IdolM@ster!
For those who wish to not wait and import the game, we don’t blame you. Along with the English patch coming in on August 9th, the game will also receive Studio Ghibli tracks as a DLC pack, also on August 9th. This DLC comes with a price tag of 500 yen (approximately $4.50 USD) but worth the price if you are a fan of Studio Ghibli. Five tracks will come from the following films: My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Ponyo, and Castle in the Sky. There’s potential we could see additional tracks from Japan that’ll never arrive on the eShop for the west. Right now, this is up in the air until we hear back from Bandai Namco.
Here’s the official press release from Bandai Namco US:
Leading videogame and interactive entertainment developer and publisher, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc., announced today that Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! for Nintendo Switch® and Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum Session! for PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system will be available in the Americas on November 2nd, 2018.
This popular Japanese rhythm game officially returns to the Americas and will feature a wide variety of new songs, special crossover characters, and multiplayer capabilities that are sure to get players drumming to the hypnotic rhythm of taiko drums. Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! for Nintendo Switch® and Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum Session! for PlayStation®4 each have unique features that tailor the Taiko no Tatsujin experience to each specific platform for optimized gameplay.
Using the Joy-Con® controllers as drumsticks, Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! for Nintendo Switch® introduces motion-control play that replicates the popular arcade-style experience, enabling Nintendo Switch® players to fully take advantage of the platform’s unique capabilities. During Rhythm Mode, players will be able to use platform exclusive characters with power-ups from classic Nintendo® games such as Kirby from Kirby® and Squid from Splatoon® 2. Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! also features 20 multiplayer rhythm-based mini-games that can be played by up to 4 players using additional controllers.
Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum Session! for PlayStation®4 plays to the spirited competitive side of Taiko with its Ranked Mode, enabling players to connect online and test their skills against Taiko players around the world through ghost data. Players will also have the chance to unlock costumes, sound effects, and greetings for the Taiko no Tatsujin mascot, Don-chan, and can play Guest Session with popular characters such as Hatsune Miku® and Hello Kitty®.
“We are excited to bring Taiko no Tatsujin back to the Western audience for an entire new generation of Taiko fans!” said Dennis Lee, Director of Marketing at BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. “Nothing gets people moving and having fun like a great music game. Soon, fans will be able to enjoy this classic rhythm game with their friends at home and on the go!”
Each version will have some exclusive features such as tracks, ranked mode, and costumes. Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! for the Nintendo Switch and Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum Session! for the PlayStation 4 will release on November 2nd, 2018. No official announcement if the drum peripheral will also cross shores.
Source: Bandai Namco PR, official Japanese site of Taiko no Tatsujin Switch