Patapon Marches On To The Nintendo Switch This Summer

Written by Brandon Hofer on March 28, 2025

News: Popular rhythm-based series Patapon was previously exclusive to PlayStation but is now branching out to other platforms.

Another surprise announcement at the recent Nintendo Direct was that Patapon will be coming to the Nintendo Switch. Patapon 1+2 Replay is heading to Nintendo’s portable platform, bringing the critically acclaimed rhythm-based action-adventure to a whole new group of gamers. Published by Bandai Namco, the first two games in the series known for their charm aesthetic and memorable soundtrack will be available in an “all-in-one” bundle.

Having lived in the desolate frontier for years, the Patapon tribe was driven from their home by the Zigoton army. This drove them to become fierce warrior spirits that can only be commanded by the beat of the war drum, played by the Mighty One(the player). Their wait has finally come to an end as the drums of war are heard once again by the Almighty’s return to guide the Patapon tribe through their adventures to fight against challenging enemies and return them to their homeland.

Patapon 1+2 Replay compiles the first two entries in the Patapon series, which debuted on Sony’s PlayStation Portable (PSP) in 2007 and 2008, respectively. The title is a 2D-platform game which offers a unique blend of rhythm-based action and real-time strategy, where players must overcome their enemies and return the Patapon to Earthend. As the Almighty, players will be tasked with following rhythmic commands intertwined with a catchy soundtrack set in charming and colorful environments. Players will find the game easy to jump into with its intuitive and rhythm-based controls and will ultimately need to hone their skills for precise timing and tactical thinking to maintain the rhythm to truly master the Patapon tribe. Along with updated graphics, players can now choose between three difficulty settings (Normal, Easy, and Hard).

Players can also customize their army with troops varying in distinct roles and combat styles such as the flag-waving “Hatapon” who leads the charge, the horse-riding “Kibapon” who charges into battle, and the bow-wielding “Yumipon” who strikes from afar. Patapons can also be enhanced by combining items collected from rare materials through stages and missions. With over 400 types of weapons and equipment, players can build their personalized Patapon unit and tackle diverse stages and formidable enemies.

Patapon 1+2 Replay arrives on July 11th on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. Check out the trailer and tell us what you think.