[NS-RPG] Namco Caved on Drum Controller Support for Story Mode

 

Despite the fact that the drum controller not being supported in the story modes was very explicitly conveyed by Japanese promotional materials and relayed by us from the very beginning, many of the western folks getting their hands on Taiko no Tatsujin Dokodon RPG Pack/Rhythmic Adventure Pack seems to not like that.

Today, with the Version 1.0.4 Update, Bandai Namco caved to the Populus by finally adding drum controller support to NS-RPG. The drum controller has to be connected as Player 2, and only covers controls during drum performance (battles and song challenges). To activate Taiko Magic in Mystery Adventure, you need to press both the L- and R-button on the drum controller.

You still need a Joy-Con connected as Player 1 to handle the rest of the controls like moving Don-chan in the map and navigating menus, which you cannot do on just the drum controller.

[NS-RPG] Release Day Cosplay, Campaign and Oopsies

While it's not going to be a very smooth release day for Taiko no Tatsujin Rhythmic Adventure Pack (in Asia), let us open with a brand new TVCM featuring real-life Don-chan, Tocky (rabbit in the basket), Ticky, Tia and Popokaka (monkey and handler in tow).

Nintendo Switch Taiko Series Campaign

While stock lasts, if you purchase a copy of either NS1 or NS-RPG with a Taiko controller from designated participating stores, you can get a special-design box and clear folder as bonus gifts.

Taiko Goofs: Adventure Edition

A new Taiko no Tatsujin game is always welcome with us, but unfortunately Rhythmic Adventure Pack has not been exactly a marvel in terms of performance and polish. A common complaint by early adapters is the sudden unstable performance of touchscreen controls, which was not found in the original NS1.

太鼓の達人RPGパック、タッチ太鼓が史上最低にクソだった件… #NintendoSwitch pic.twitter.com/yQpa5QEBQf

— こったー (@kotter01) November 25, 2020

Doing the post-release survey (up until 2021/02/25) could be a way to reflect how you think and make for better future experiences.

[NSwitch RPG] - Rhythmic Adventure Pack's Western Release Date Reveal!

Mark your calendars, and get ready to drum to the beat in two RPG adventures! #TaikonoTatsujin: Rhythmic Adventure Pack arrives on December 3rd, 2020 for Nintendo Switch! https://t.co/kg6sBTW8GI pic.twitter.com/BWKQ9lklgS

— Bandai Namco US (@BandaiNamcoUS) October 29, 2020

We've already heard when the combo re-release deal is coming out in Japan, and now it's time for the Western release date! Courtesy of Christopher Columbus from Fate/Gr-*a-hem*, Bandai Namco's latest trailer reel for the game, we now know that the Rhythmic Adventure Pack will launch on December 3rd, just a week after the Eastern launch. It will also be possible to individually purchase one of the two games from the eShop without the bundled deal that's been advertised these past few months.

This is also the official release date for Europe as well (source, from Bandai Namco UK's Twitter feed), which will get a unique physical edition for it!... kinda. Boxed copies for the game will be distributed in select EU nations, but those will only bear an eShop download code for the digital version; if you want the two games inside its dedicated game card, acquiring the Japanese version is the only way.

Console Taiko Gaming Purchase Guide: How Many New Song Would You Get From Rhythmic Adventure Pack

We're one month away from the release of the port-compilation of Taiko no Tatsujin Dokodon RPG Pack/Rhythmic Adventure Pack ("NS-RPG" hereafter) on 2020/11/26 (Japan/Asia). Have you decided to get on the adventuring train with Don-chan? Basing off of our "Console Taiko Gaming - Where to Start?" article from just before NS1/PS4 release in the West, let's discuss some points you may want to note.

1) Control Schemes

Current info suggests that NS-RPG features mostly the same control schemes as the original Nintendo Switch Version for the normal performance mode, with the Joy-Con (including Furi-furi/motion control), Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and the Taiko drum peripheral confirmed to be supported. Touchscreen controls have not been explicitly mentioned as of now.

Do note that the Taiko drum peripheral is NOT supported outside of normal performance mode. This is understandable as the story modes need more varied input than just the four input (including Don-chan's movement, NPC interaction, menu navigation, Katsu Attack in RS2 etc.).

Addendum (2020/11/05): Subsequent trailers reveal that button control (on Joy-Cons or Pro Controllers) is the ONLY supported control scheme for the story modes. Touchscreen control and Furi-furi/motion control are also exclusive to the regular Performance Mode.

Addendum (2021/03/11): Version 1.0.4 update added support for drum peripheral in story modes (only during drum performance). The drum peripheral has to be connected as Player 2, and you still need button controls (like Joy-Con) on Player 1 for other controls. See full details here.

2) Signature Features

True to the name, the main selling point for NS-RPG are the two story modes as previously featured in 3DS2 and 3DS3, now in higher definition. This is the first time that a Taiko no Tatsujin story mode be available in English and legitimately outside of Asia (NB. 3DS2 had a Korean release and PSVita had a Chinese release). The main mechanic of the story modes lies with collecting various battle units and assembling a team for battle, then taking on random encounters and event/boss battles through Taiko no Tatsujin drumming (sometimes with obstructions).

The ability to customize Don-chan also returns (only on colors and two outfit items), but the outfit items are not just for cosmetic looks and actually provide useful skills to Don-chan in the story modes as well.

On the other hand, NS-RPG loses multiplayer action as from the other Nintendo Switch title, being explicitly stated to be a one-player-only experience.

3) The Song List

NS-RPG boasts to feature "over 130 songs" (actually 137), which is just the base song lists of 3DS2 and 3DS3 minus a few tie-in songs (with Meiji Foods and Funassyi) and the controversial Senbonzakura. There will not be DLC support for NS-RPG, so the number is pretty much fixed. 

Your actual new-track mileage may vary if you already own other Taiko games especially the legitimately worldwide NS1 and PS4. Thanks to the age of the original games, you would get more tracks that were topical around 2014-2016, which those two games (especially NS1) is already past for. 

We have prepared comprehensive comparison list after the jump, but in summary NS-RPG will have:

• (if you only own NS1) 11 dupes with the NS1 base list plus 17 more with NS1 DLC
• (if you only own PS4) 16 dupes with the PS4 base list plus 27 more with PS4 DLC
  (plus one more if you count Sotsu Omeshiki)
• (if you own both NS1 and PS4) 24 dupes with either base list plus 32 more with their DLC

With this discussion, hopefully you are more informed to your purchase decisions. See you as we inch closer to release for more hands-on updates. 

[NS-RPG] Dokodon RPG Pack Website Updated with Release Date, TVCM and Purchase Bonus Gifts

The main site for Taiko no Tatsujin Dokodon RPG Pack received the first update since its reveal two weeks ago. The most important detail is the release date (at least for Japan and Asian regions) now specified to be November 26 2020.

The most view-worthy part is the new television commercial, in both 30-second (above) and 15-second flavours. The commercial spot is also available in English, traditional Chinese and Korean (but the same Japanese voiceover) through the YouTube channels of Bandai Namco SEA, Taiwan/Hong Kong and South Korea respectively, with the localized titles for the latter two meet public eye for the first time.

The website update also brings a list of Japanese vendors that accept purchases/preorders for the title and the shop-exclusive purchase bonus for each. Unlike previous games where free songs or in-game battle units are given, all the purchase bonuses this time are physical goods:

• Asobi Store - big key holder
• Amazon.co.jp - two-piece ball-point pen set
• Aeon - original design earphones
• Edion Group - memo pad
• GEO - original design tote bag
• Joshin - face mask holder
• Bic Group - mini towel
• Rakuten Books - picnic blanket
  
• Loppi/HMV - button pin
• WonderGOO - original design sticker

Finally, the bottom of the site also added two tables showing a list of differences in features that NS-RPG has compared with the original 3DS titles:

• NS-RPG has a total of six new songs added to the tracklist as advertised, but  Senbonzakura,  Karl no Uta Autumn,  Katte Rock and  Funa Funa Funassyi from 3DS2 are gone
• NS-RPG lost all Funassyi-related elements from 3DS2
• NS-RPG is a strictly one-person experience; in addition to not having same-console two-player mode like NS1, it also loses the local wireless multiplayer functionalities from the 3DS titles
• NS-RPG will not have any DLC (including songs)
• StreetPass, SpotPass and QR code support are removed in NS-RPG due to the feature differences between the Switch and the 3DS

Taiko no Tatsujin Dokodon RPG Pack! song list

Announced worldwide in a Nintendo Direct Mini broadcast in late August 2020, this is the Taiko no Tatsujin franchise's first collection of previous Taiko games in one title, grouping together the last two games released for the Nintendo 3DS: Don to Katsu no Jikuu Daibouken and Dokodon! Mystery Adventure. The game was also set for a localized worldwide release as a digital-only game under the title of Taiko no Tatsujin Rhythmic Adventure Pack, with the two Taiko 3DS titles getting the really imaginative localized named of Rhythmic Adventure 1 and Rhythmic Adventure 2 respectively. It's also possible to purchase any of the two games separately through the eShop.

This game collection is essentially a port of the two 3DS games, with a few modes and features getting select modifications from the original games. More specifically, every Streetpass/Spotpass and multiplayer feature got removed from both games, alongside a song quartet from Don to Katsu no Jikuu Daibouken (Senbonzakura, Funa Funa Funassyi, Karl no Uta: Autumn Pondside Version and Katte Rock), while a trio of new licensed songs from the more recent Taiko titles got added to both games in return. In addition to these, even the Funassyi customization elements and the respective titles' DLC catalog (mainly songs and the 3DS2 extra chapters) were erased for this release.

Introducing the Taiko no Tatsujin Dokodon RPG/Rhythmic Adventure Pack!

   

 

It's been quite a while since the Taiko no Tatsujin series was advertised throughout the Nintendo Direct video lineup, and once again it was for a region-exclusive news broadcast at that. That changes today, with both the Japanese and overseas branch joining their hands together in unveiling a brand new Taiko no Tatsujin game release for the Nintendo Switch!

 

Perhaps, the 'brand new' label is best suited for the not-Asian audience, as you're about to read...