Thought Taiko 14 Plus was the end of it? No, Namco has something even bigger in mind, to bring the current antiquated arcade build up to modern standards and hopefully make it relevant for a lot longer than the ones we currently have!
Below are three flyers advertising the brand new Taiko machine. After 14 versions without any significant change in the hardware (you can easily replace the software in a Taiko 7 machine with Taiko 14 software and it will still play just fine, as long as the drums are in working condition), the new arcade cabinet prototype is a fresh new start for the ageing format of introducing new songs through secret codes and the use of 4:3 screens.
The new machine trims off all the excess baby fat from the first model (it's longer and taller, but the depth of the machine has been reduced significantly) and is far lighter and slimmer, thanks in part to the new 32-inch high-definition LCD screen! It's also more eco-friendly, cutting power usage by 30%. And instead of having two speakers, this has been increased to three. The first two placed on a much higher location, and a third added in the middle for surround sound. The interface has also been given its first makeover since Taiko 7, placing the Tamashii bar just above the scroll bar and the title on the top-right corner. It's a more modern look. You'll have to squint at the 3rd picture for it, but I'm sure we'll get clearer shots soon if Namco puts this on their blog this Thursday.
The other big new feature is one that most other more recent arcades have adapted, that is the ability to connect the arcade machine over a network to constantly update itself with new content. That's right, no more secret codes and for Namco, no more hacking the arcade software for hidden songs. They can just update the firmware of every arcade online! It is also compatible with the Bana-Passport, so players have have their own profile for the new Taiko, unlock costumes, exclusive songs, and rank names! Compatibility with mobile Taiko no Tatsujin will also be continued, apparently.
We don't know anything else about it, we don't even know the name for the machine yet (let's not refer to this thing as Taiko 15 for now). All we know from the three flyers is that it's obviously going to be called 'Taiko no Tatsujin' without any number tacked behind it. Hey, that's probably a good idea!
As for songs, the only ones currently known are the ones we can see in the pictures. Let's see what we've got here:
From the second picture:
KAGEKIYO
Symphonic Druaga (シンフォーニクドルアーガ) (first time on arcade, since Taiko DS3)
Doom Noiz
Angel Dream (エンジェルドリーム)
Show Done Kai (Show Done 改) (new song. Subtitle not legible. Oni 9*, apparently)
Shunyuu ~happy excursion~ (春遊~happy excursion~)
Mekadesu (メカデス。)
Kita Saitama 2000 (きたさいたま２０００)
Saturday Taiko Fever (サタデー太鼓フィーバー) (ooh, it's back, probably together with the Ura Oni from Taiko Wii 3)
Tonari no Totoro (となりのトトロ)
Gake no Ue no Ponyo (崖の上のポニョ) (oh hey, these two, finally!)
Maru Maru Mori Mori (マル・マル・モリ・モリ) (new J-Pop by AKB48. That's the third one in Taiko so far)
Everyday, Katyusha (Everyday カチュシャ) (AKB48 again. This one was dedicated to the 2011 Japanese tsunami victims)
Ponytail to Shushu (ポニテールとシュシュ)
Yuuki 100% (勇気１００％)
(can't make out the song currently selected on the top-right screen)
Touch (タッチ)
Odoru Ponpokorin (おどるポンポコリン)
3rd picture:
Love Letter (ラブレター) (A J-Pop song, but there's a billion songs with this name so impossible to pinpoint which one at this time)
La La La Suite Precure (ラ♪ラ♪ラ スイートプリキュア) (New Precure OP)
Anpanman no March (アンパンマンのマーチ)
Polyrhythm (ポリリズム)
Natsu Matsuri (夏祭り)
Cruel Angel's Thesis (残酷の天使のテーゼ)
Sakuranbo (さくらんぼ) (No-brainers)
Atarashii Hikari (新しい光) (second song by 9mm Parabellum Bullet after the infamous Punishment. Will it be just as difficult?)
Yoku Asobi Yoku Manabe (よく遊びよく学べ) (coming to PSP DX first, this)
Best Wishes (ベストウイッシュ！) (Pokemon Black/White anime OP)
