Patapon is a niche rhythm game released in 2007 (in Japan) on the PSP. This fun little tribal action game, from the mind of Hiroyuki Kotani, was a staple of the unique Sony games that made the PSP such a desirable platform. After a decent response, a sequel was born. However, the series unfortunately went silent after Patapon 3 hit the scene.
There was a PS4 remaster of the first game, but now in 2025, Patapon returns alongside its sequel on numerous platforms, no longer shackled to the PlayStation. So let’s dive right into Patapon 1+2 Replay on Nintendo Switch!
The world of the Patapon is out of balance. The disappearance of their god has left them unable to fight back against their enemy, the Zigotons. When starting the game, players take place of an entity using magic drums to command the Patapons as they set out on their journey. This continues through both games as an overarching theme where the Patapons want to head to EarthsEnd.
There is a deceptively simple feeling to Patapon; it’s got one key mechanic that is easy to learn, BUT it is deceptively hard to master. The game taps out a beat, and players can hit their drums in time to this beat. Staying on beat creates a synergy with the Patapons and the player unlocking Fever mode, where the Patapon are far more powerful, but slip up even once, and it ends immediately. If the player is uncoordinated, the game is extremely difficult to progress through.
The player essentially has a set of rhythms to tap out, each with a different command for the Patapon to follow. To move, the player drums out the pattern “PATA, PATA, PATA, PON” which, on its own, is easy to maintain. However, the first combat move is “PON, PON, PATA, PON” which needs to be beaten out between movement commands. All according to the game’s steady beat.
This is simple, but under pressure, it’s deceptively hard to maintain. It’s a truly unique system that feels amazing when it’s going well, but can be frustrating on harder levels, especially when more options are added to the rhythm roster.
Levels are designed well, considering the restrictions in the game. Each is a mostly flat plain with nothing obstructing the way except for small roadblocks that the Patapon can destroy. This is fine given how constrained the gameplay is. To help them feel more lively, each level refreshes the visuals and swaps out animals, monsters and tribesmen the Patapon encounter.
There is a small hub from which all the levels are reached. In here, the player can get to know certain Patapon as well as interact with a variety of interesting things – including a mini game which yields crafting materials to better outfit the Patapon on missions. They can also resurrect hero Patapon to aid in quests, which unlock new types of warriors to use. In fact, via the hub world, the player can essentially interact with the tactics elements of the game. This is true in both titles, which are functionally almost identical.
Visually, things are great. Designed by a French artist, Patapon was discovered by game designer Hiroyuki Kotani, who decided they had to be in a game. Being first party from Sony’s – sadly now defunct – Japan Studio, this is a looker. Even on the PSP, the games had a very cool, minimalist art style. It’s transitioned to HD very smoothly.
The Patapon are really cute and unique-looking creatures, and with their big central eyes, stand out easily from the background, even against darkness. Patapon 1+2 Replay is designed with a very distinct style that uses colours to make the silhouettes pop; it’s a super pretty aesthetic and one that has aged excellently.
Sound is also a huge undertaking given the rhythm game elements. It’s all crisp and about as high definition as it can be. This seems to be a better master than the PSP version that holds up in a more expansive sound system. Design-wise, the Patapon are pretty cute, but the amount of call and repeat can get a bit tedious if playing a lot of the game in a single sitting.
The bonus of playing it all on Switch is that it retains the game’s original intent of being a portable title that is played in short segments. This is by far the best way to play and is highly recommended.
