Taiko: Drum Master comes westward for the first time in over a decade

Bandai Namco is bringing Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! for Nintendo Switch and Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum Session! for PlayStation 4 westward, making it the first North American and European releases from the series in 14 years. Previously, Taiko: Drum Master debuted on PlayStation 2 in 2004, but despite a long stretch of games in Japan, none were ever given the localization treatment. 

Bandai Namco is bringing Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! for Nintendo Switch and Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum Session! for PlayStation 4 westward, making it the first North American and European releases from the series in 14 years. Previously, Taiko: Drum Master debuted on PlayStation 2 in 2004, but despite a long stretch of games in Japan, none were ever given the localization treatment. 

Now rhythm game fanatics can return to the popular drumming series as it opts for the original Japanese titles and features a wide variety of new songs, crossover characters, and multiplayer features. Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! will feature motion control play that mimics controlling the game with the oversized drum and drum sticks available in the arcade versions. 

Rhythm Mode lets you use power-ups and characters from throughout Nintendo’s portfolio, such as Kirby and the Squid Kids from Splatoon. On top of a new selection of songs, there are also 20 multiplayer rhythm mini-games that four players can jump in and jam. 

Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum Session! is aimed at the more competitive nature of Taiko fans, and will feature a Ranked Mode so players can take the drum solo online. Just as the Switch version features Nintendo stars, the PlayStation 4 title will offer popular cameos like Hello Kitty and Hatsune Miku. 

Both games are targeting a Nov. 2 release on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. No need to dust off that old PlayStation 2 combo set you bought at GameStop for $20.