A mere 18 years after its original release on Sony’s PSP handheld, acclaimed rhythm adventure Patapon is shaking off its PlayStation exclusivity. It’s launching for Switch, PC, and PS5 as a two-game remaster bundle – also featuring Patapon 2 – on 11th July.
Patapon 1 first enchanted players when it launched for PlayStation Portable back in 2007, challenging them to steer a tribe of adorable sentient eyeballs – the Patapon of the title – across a dangerous world. That involved a mix of real-time strategy and rhythm-action as players battled enemies using different unit types and by issuing drum-based commands to the beat.
Patapon recieved the Eurogamer stamp on approval, earning itself a positively archaic 8/10. And a much-expanded sequel – adding the likes of new Patapon types and new drum rhythms – was also well-received when it arrived the following year. Since then, the series has seen a third instalment, and the first two titles have made the jump to PS4 in remastered form.
And these first two games are now set to emerge once again, this time courtesy of Bandai Namco. When Patapon 1+2 Relay launches for Switch, PC, and PlayStation 5 on 11th July, it’ll feature “new updates” for both included titles intended to make the experience “more accessible and enjoyable”. These additions include three difficulty settings (Normal, Easy, Hard), timing adjustment, and constant command display.
It is, then, a pretty good time to be a Patapon fan. Not only is the series poised for an official revival some 14 years after its last instalment, there’s also a spiritual successor on the way. Announced back in 2023, Ratatan is the work of Patapon creator Hiroyuki Kotani and features audio by original Patapon musician Kemmei Adachi. It’s currently expected to launch for PC, Switch, PlayStation 4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S this April.
