[Drum on] Taiko no Tatsujin DS - 56K Warning -

Sharpie

What is it?
Taiko no Tatsujin DS: Touch de Dokodon is a rhythm game released for the DS in Japan. Maybe you remember an obscure PS2 title called Taiko Drum Master? That is the only version from the popular Japanese arcade series that has made it to America. Gameplay for TnT DS is surprisingly faithful to the PS2 counterpart. It is more in the vein of Guitar Hero than Ouendan or Elite Beat Agents gameplay wise. The top screen displays your saccharine drum avatar dancing to the beat and also scrolls the 'notes.' The bottom screen is more minimalist, just showing your taiko drum. The game includes two drumstick styli to play with, although you can use the buttons if you wish. The in-game tutorial explains how all the notes work for both play styles.

Ok, but how's the music?
I'm not going to lie to you. The game is full of J-Pop. I know that is not everyone's cup of tea. But, the game also has a decent selection of Classical music tracks to choose from that play surprisingly well. Additionally, there are Konami original tracks that are instrumental as well as videogame music. It really is fun to drum to the Mario theme. So, while about half the tracks are J-Pop, there is something for everyone in there. Including unlockables, the game has 36 tracks.

Track Listing Courtesy Wikipedia

But it's in MOON LANGUAGE!
Yes, it is in Japanese. However, the menus are pretty easy to figure out. Still, I will put a guide in here.

This is the main screen. The red button (yellow here because it is highlighted) takes you to the game. The Orange button brings you to the Dojo Challenge. Green brings you to multiplayer, blue to the drum's house and purple brings you to options.

Game Mode

This is the song selection screen. Pretty straightforward. The Left button takes you back to the menu, the middle button changes difficulty and the right button lets you change what sounds the drum makes.


Sakura (flowers) is easy, Bamboo is medium and Bonzai is hard. There is a super-hard mode unlocked by clearing 20 songs on Bonzai mode. It's called Oni, so I'm guessing it will be represented by some Onigiri (riceball).


When you pause the game (start button) or close the DS during a song, this screen will come up. The first option is continue, the second is restart, third brings you back to the menu and fourth quits the game.

Dojo Challenge

The dojo challenge can be taken once a day. This is how you unlock the six songs that are not available at the start. Also, you increase your rank by playing well. I don't really understand the point of it all though. To take the challenge, tap the big yellow song box and choose the red option. The blue option lets you practice.

Occasionally you will get challenge letters in the mail that ask you to do certain things. I believe these unlock more clothing options for your drum, but I can't read them well enough to know what to do.

Multiplayer is both single cart and multi-cart. I have never played it though, so that's all I've got.

Taiko's House

The wardrobe lets you choose how to customize your drum avatar with costume peices you earn by beating songs. You can also change its color. The mailbox is (of course) where you go to get your mail. The green and yellow book lets you watch the tutorial over again.

Options

The first one lets you choose what button configuration you want if you decide not to use the awesome included styli. The second one allows you to change your profile name. The third one, however, ERASES YOUR GAME DATA. Yes I did learn that the hard way.

So where can I get this?
Import stores, ebay, anywhere you can get games from Japan. However, the first release of the game has a cartridge-breaking glitch- if you have more than one save file, don't dress up your drums or the pak will brick. The game art posted above is the old version.

The fixed version has this graphic added to it under the picture of the styli. Reputable import sites should be no problem, but if you go with eBay just make sure to check.

Links
Official Japanese Site
Somewhat frightening TV Spot

Well that's pretty much it. This is one of my favorite games!

Also, my first OP in this forum.