Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival

A new Taiko no Tatsujin game has landed on Nintendo Switch, and it’s another great reason to pull out your drum.

85%Game Brain Score

music, gameplay

optimization, monetization

90% User Score Based on 528 reviews

Critic Score 79%Based on 9 reviews

Platforms

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About

Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is a single player and multiplayer casual shooter game with anime and kids themes. It was developed by Bandai Namco Amusement Lab Inc. and was released on November 6, 2024. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

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90%

Audience ScoreBased on 528 reviews

music52 positive mentions

optimization4 negative mentions

Authentic and addictive Taiko no Tatsujin gameplay with simple mechanics that are easy for beginners and challenging for veterans.
Extensive song library accessible via affordable monthly subscription (Taiko Music Pass) offering hundreds of songs from various genres and previous games.
Supports multiple input methods including keyboard, controllers, and dedicated drum peripherals, with high performance and smooth 120 FPS visuals on PC and Steam Deck.

Expensive base game price combined with a mandatory subscription or costly DLC required to access most songs, resulting in a perceived greedy business model.
Clunky and slow user interface with cumbersome menu navigation, loading screens, and unintuitive song management which hampers overall user experience.
Limited online community with dead or nearly dead ranked multiplayer mode, and lack of crossplay or comprehensive multiplayer options restricts online engagement.

music
419 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
83%
5%
The music in Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival features a diverse and extensive selection spanning anime, J-pop, classical, and Namco originals, but the base game’s song list is notably limited. Most players find the vast majority of songs locked behind a paid subscription “Taiko Music Pass” or expensive DLC packs, which offers great value in quantity but is criticized for its subscription model and many cover versions instead of original tracks. While the subscription provides access to hundreds of songs and regular updates, some users feel the paywall detracts from the experience given the game's initial cost.
- “The base version includes a substantial song list spanning anime themes, J-pop, classical arrangements, game music, and original compositions.”
- “With the Taiko Pass there is a really good variety of different tracks (868 songs compared to 89 after unlocks in the base game without DLC), so you'll probably find something you like.”
- “The main game mode is still as fun as ever (it's Taiko; what could go wrong?), and while the DLC is still overpriced and probably not worth your money, the music pass subscription service is great value.”
- “It's a really fun rhythm game - probably one of my favorites alongside rhythm doctor - but the price of the game itself does not justify the amount of songs you get if you purchase the setlist collection on an impulse like I did hoping for a far better selection.”
- “Base song list is quite pitiful, though this is bolstered massively if you buy the music pass, it doesn't sit right with me that you basically have to do that in order to have a decent song selection for a game that's already near AAA price.”
- “For me, the terrible covers of many beloved songs and the fact that they put a subscription model on this rather than just letting us buy all the songs like in previous games feels like a greedy cash grab and a kick in the balls to taiko fans.”
gameplay
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
51%
9%
The gameplay is praised for its smooth, simple yet addictive mechanics that appeal to both casual and competitive players, faithfully recreating the classic arcade experience. However, the base song list is limited without a subscription, and some users note minor calibration and flow issues outside actual gameplay. Overall, the core rhythm gameplay remains engaging, energetic, and satisfying despite some UI and content limitations.
- “Its accessible mechanics, wide-ranging soundtrack, multiplayer variety, and cheerful presentation create a rhythm experience that caters to both casual and competitive audiences.”
- “Whether you’re casually tapping along or going all out on harder difficulties, the gameplay is always fun and addictive.”
- “The simplicity of the base gameplay mechanics is genius, welcoming but also adds surprisingly insane amounts of depth.”
- “The game's leveling mechanic is tedious for similar reasons, making you collect all of your level rewards one by one without skipping, while being able to progress only 5 levels at a time.”
- “There's a lot of entering and exiting submenus with loading screens and little design decisions that make everything take longer than it ought, resulting in a severe lack of flow for everything surrounding the actual gameplay.”
- “Would only recommend for beginner to mid-high level gameplay, nothing past mid level 8 stars feels good enough to get a DFC on.”
story
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
74%
11%
The story in this game is generally regarded as simple, cute, and somewhat filler, with many players skipping or minimally engaging with it in favor of the core rhythm gameplay. While it adds some context and extra modes that enhance fun, its lengthy cutscenes and slow progression can be a drawback, especially for those who prefer multiplayer or faster pacing. Overall, the story is an optional, light-hearted addition rather than a central feature.
- “With Nintendo Switch, you could get Drum 'n' Fun if you get a physical copy, but with Rhythmic Adventure 1+2, you basically get 2 games' worth of songs plus a story mode that's actually worth paying attention to.”
- “Fun rhythm game with a very high skill ceiling as well as a training mode (improvement support) which is very useful for newer players to get better, also has a pretty neat story as well as missions in some game modes that, while not very complex, is still something to work for instead of just playing charts over and over with nothing else going on.”
- “The story and extra game modes make it a lot more fun to play.”
- “The story/progression system is really filler and ended up skipping all of it just to get the new songs and costumes unlocked.”
- “Hell nah the storyline and all the other garbage ain't worth that much bruh.”
- “The thing is, you need to go through lengthy toy war story mode to unlock toys, and they unlock at snail's pace.”
optimization
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
50%
29%
The game generally runs smoothly on PC and handheld with stable 60fps and responsive input crucial for rhythm gameplay, but suffers from occasional persistent stuttering and frame skipping issues, especially when monitor refresh rates exceed standard settings. These performance hiccups negatively impact timing and user experience, indicating subpar optimization despite technical strengths.
- “Technically, the PC version runs smoothly and maintains responsive input timing, which is critical for rhythm games.”
- “Performance stability supports extended sessions without significant issues, reinforcing its suitability for competitive play.”
- “The game runs smoothly on the handheld, maintaining a stable 60fps.”
- “Also has unfixable (as far as I know) stuttering issues causing frequent frame skips even with VSync and FPS cap options properly set.”
- “Where things start to get downhill fast is the game performance is terrible; you can be having a wonderful run then suddenly the game stutters or skips notes, throwing off your timing.”
- “Offset in this game wildly varies due to poor optimization and frame drops.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users find the humor in this drum game lighthearted and goofy, with its playful sounds and amusing music choices bringing them joy. The game's quirky, fun nature is a major reason players enjoy it, often eliciting happy and laughter-filled reactions.
- “Funny drum game makes me happy :)”
- “Give man stick, hit round object, make funny noises, man happy.”
- “Oh, such funny, goofy music, what name is it?”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
12%
38%
The game features gorgeous, vibrant, and cartoony graphics with adorable character designs and crisp, smooth visuals that enhance the addictive gameplay. It includes appealing art styles and graphic-novel cutscenes, though the busy visuals might be challenging for players with poor vision. Overall, the graphics strongly complement the rhythm game experience.
- “The gameplay is simple but addictive, the visuals are gorgeous and the characters have fun and adorable designs.”
- “The game runs impressively with lovely crisp, smooth graphics and fun, vibrant colours one could expect from a taiko title.”
- “+ visuals are unsurprisingly eye-catching, cartoony, vibrant and outright gorgeous”
- “The visuals can be overwhelming at certain points, which might be problematic for people with poor vision.”
- “The art style is really cute but sometimes the graphics feel scattered and cluttered.”
- “Some graphic-novel cutscenes are included, but the overall graphical quality is average and not very impressive.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The monetization model is widely criticized for relying on subscriptions and expensive DLC rather than allowing full song purchases, which many see as a greedy cash grab. Despite this, some note that free songs and game modes provide reasonable content without aggressive upselling. However, the overall perception is that PC users receive a less favorable deal with a costly and limited approach compared to other platforms.
- “I'm sure many have already complained about the monetization model, with over $100 worth of DLC songs seeming a bit much for an already pricey rhythm game, but you know what you're getting into; the game never shoves it in your face, and the bank of free songs and game modes is already plenty.”
- “For me, the terrible covers of many beloved songs and the fact that they put a subscription model on this rather than just letting us buy all the songs like in previous games feels like a greedy cash grab and a kick in the balls to Taiko fans.”
- “Apparently you can get extra songs as DLC or in a music pass but either way it's a cash grab, especially when the game has been out for other platforms so you would think PC users would get a better deal, but no, cheap and nasty port with barely any tech support.”
- “It still has a lot of cash grab'ness to it.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users find the grinding aspect tedious due to slow menu navigation and the requirement to collect level rewards individually, with limited level progression at a time. However, the game still appeals to those looking for an authentic taiko arcade experience, especially if supplemented with additional song packs. Grinding may deter some, but commitment makes the experience worthwhile.
- “The game's leveling mechanic is tedious, forcing you to collect all of your level rewards one by one without skipping, while only allowing progress of 5 levels at a time.”
- “I would agree that the menuing is slow and tedious, and the base song selection is quite limited.”
- “I understand those who say they won't be grinding or consistently playing the game; it's entirely up to you.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere is characterized by a festive and celebratory vibe, enhanced through additional modes beyond standard rhythm play. Although these elements don’t change gameplay mechanics, they effectively contribute to the series' signature lively and joyful ambiance.
- “Beyond standard rhythm play, Rhythm Festival expands its appeal through additional modes designed to create a celebratory atmosphere.”
- “While these elements do not alter gameplay mechanics, they enhance the festive atmosphere that defines the series.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users highlight the game's exceptional replayability, noting it surpasses that of most rhythm games.
- “Even compared to most rhythm games, the replayability is insane.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game demonstrates excellent stability, running smoothly without any noticeable issues or crashes.
- “Game runs great.”

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79%Critics’ scoreBased on 9 critic reviews

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151h Median play time

101h Average play time

2-200h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is a casual shooter game with anime and kids themes.

Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

The main story can be completed in around 11 hours. On average players spend around 101 hours playing Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival.

Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival was released on November 6, 2024.

Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival was developed by Bandai Namco Amusement Lab Inc..

Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival has received very positive reviews from players. Most players liked Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival for its music but disliked it for its optimization.

Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Groove Coaster, Muse Dash, MUSYNX, Trials Rising, Capcom Arcade Stadium and others.

Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival

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