Taiko no Tatsujin – Drum ‘n’ Fun!

Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun!, released in Asia as Taiko no Tatsujin: Nintendo Switch Version!, is a rhythm game developed by Bandai Namco Studios & DokiDoki Groove Works and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It was first released in Japan and other parts of Asia in July 2018, and in North America, Europe and Australia in November. The title’s release marks the first release of a Taiko no Tatsujin game to Western audiences in over a decade. It was delisted from the Nintendo eShop in November 2023. Similar to past entries in the series, music notes, represented by circular faces of the series’ mascots, move across a timeline in the middle of the screen from right to left. Red notes represent the face of the drum, while blue notes represent the drum’s rim.

Successfully playing the correct note as each one reaches the end of the timeline builds up a “Soul Gauge”. If the gauge reaches a certain point by the end of the song, the stage is cleared. There are several control options for Drum n’ Fun!. The most accurate and consistent option is a specific peripheral controller developed by Hori, in the shape of a drum, as well as non-electronic plastic “drumsticks”. These drums are sold separately or in a bundle with the game. It’s possible, however, to use a regular controller to play, through use of a buttons-only mode. One could also use the Nintendo Switch’s native controllers, the Joy-Con, through a mechanic called “virtual drumsticks” that utilizes the advanced motion controls of the Joy-Con.

This method is considered unreliable and best for casual gameplay. Besides traditional gameplay for a maximum of two players, a multitude of multiplayer rhythm-based party games are present to further expand upon the concept for up to 4 players. Additional updates to the game further added a head-to-head competitive multiplayer mode for two players, as well as online head-to-head and tournament competitive multiplayer modes. Similar to previous games in the series, the tracklist is organized into seven categories. The game also features downloadable song packs which can be purchased through the Nintendo eShop. The game contains 300 songs (inclusive of all downloadable songs) as of July 2020.