Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is an approachable, drum-led rhythm game with a solid 76-song base set, several party modes, and a much larger optional library through paid song packs or the Taiko Music Pass. Its core appeal is easy to grasp; the main buying decision is whether the included songs suit you or you expect to pay for more. You can play with a standard controller, so a dedicated drum accessory is not required.
What critics say about Rhythm Festival
On October 8, 2026, Metacritic’s Nintendo Switch critic page showed an 80/100 Metascore, labeled “Generally Favorable,” from 23 reviews: 20 positive, three mixed, and none negative. That score is for the Switch version and reflects the critic reviews counted on the page at that time; it is not a score for every platform or a measure of current player opinion. See the Switch critic aggregate on Metacritic.
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The sampled reviews praise the recognizable rhythm gameplay, its accessibility to newcomers, the range of music, and its party and multiplayer appeal. Some criticism focuses on how additional songs are sold and the subscription’s role in expanding the library. Those are useful points to weigh against your own music tastes: the base game is a complete starting point, but it is not the full catalog.
How the rhythm gameplay works
You follow notes as they scroll toward the hit marker and strike the drum face or rim in time. The game offers four difficulty modes, according to the Steam listing, making it possible to start simply and take on more demanding charts as your timing improves. Bandai Namco presents it as a game for newcomers as well as existing fans; the accessible premise does not mean every chart or difficulty will be easy.
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- THE STORY – Discover Omiko City, where the Taiko world is set - You will strive to become a Taiko Master along with your buddies, DON-Chan and Kumo-kyun
- There are four difficulty levels to choose from: “Easy,” “Normal”, “Hard”, and “Extreme” to match your skill level - There are 76 songs in the collection, including the latest songs such as “Gurenge”, “Feel Special”, and “Racing into the Night”
- You can play the game in a variety of play styles, such as “Handheld Mode,” “TV Mode,” “Sharing Joy-Con,” “Shaking,” “Touch Play,” and “Taiko Drum Set”
- PARTY MODE – In “Don-chan Band,” up to four players take charge of different tones and play together to make a successful live performance - And in the “Great Drum Toy War,” you build your own deck of toys and battle it out
- CUSTOMIZE – Get “Don Coins” by playing various modes - Use the coins to get items such as costumes and name plates from the in-game store - Customize as you like
You can use a standard controller. On Nintendo Switch, the official listing also supports the Taiko and Stick controller, and single-player Taiko Mode can be played with touch input while the system is in handheld mode. A drum accessory is therefore an optional way to make the experience more physical, not a prerequisite. If buying one, confirm the exact model’s compatibility with your console and edition before ordering.
How many songs are included, and how do you get more?
The base game includes 76 songs, according to Bandai Namco and the platform listings. Beyond that, you can choose individual DLC packs, the Setlist Edition bundle, or a Taiko Music Pass subscription. Bandai Namco’s November 7, 2024 announcement described the pass as offering more than 700 additional tracks. That is the publisher’s stated offering, not a promise of an exact, permanent playable total today.
Rank #2
- Taiko no Tatsujin - Rhythm Festival Coleccionista
| Option | What it includes | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Base game | 76 songs. | Players who want to start with the included tracklist and decide later whether they want more. |
| Individual DLC packs | Selected additional song collections sold separately; the available packs can vary. | Players who know which genres or collections they want and prefer selecting specific content. |
| Setlist Edition | The base game plus Anime Songs Collection, Pops Collection, and VOCALOID Songs Collection, according to Bandai Namco’s official game page. | Players drawn to those three collections who want them bundled with the game. |
| Taiko Music Pass | A paid subscription that Bandai Namco described in 2024 as providing access to more than 700 additional tracks. | Players who want broad access to a larger selection rather than buying only a few chosen packs. |
Prices, subscription terms, and the availability of packs were not established for every platform and region. Before buying, compare the options in your own platform’s store and check whether a bundle includes songs you already own or intend to buy.
What modes can you play?
Taiko Mode
The central mode is built around playing songs and hitting the notes in time. Nintendo lists it for one or two players, and it is also the mode that supports single-player touch input in handheld Switch play.
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Great Drum Toy War
This competitive mode supports up to two players on Nintendo Switch, according to the Nintendo store listing. It offers a different kind of session from simply taking turns on a song.
DON-chan Band
This mode supports up to four players on Switch. Its group format makes it the clearest option for a larger local gathering.
Rank #4
- Can be worn alone. Great for everyone! Let's get a lot of tokotons with a drum!
- Introducing the latest series of Taiko Drumsticks from Nintendo Switch! This stage is Omico City, a city filled with Taiko Drums
- Aim for Taiko Drum Master with Kumikyun who met his partner Dong-chan in Omico City. Includes 76 songs, including “Kureenhua”, “Feel Special”, and “Running at Night”. You can improve your skills by practicing and improving your skills by repeatedly exercising the uncomfortable parts and enjoy playing battle with players around the world. There are also new modes that everyone can play with them, such as the Donkatsu Toy War to battle decks with toys, and the Donchan Band for success in the live with 4 players
- In addition, there are more than 500 songs of the tai Drum Music Pass subscription service that allows you to play as you please
Run! Ninja Dojo
Bandai Namco names Run! Ninja Dojo among the game’s modes in its launch announcement. The available source material does not specify a player limit for it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which platform should you choose?
The game is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The Switch version first released in 2022; Bandai Namco launched the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam versions on November 7, 2024. Bandai Namco says those newer-platform editions support up to 120 fps. This is a publisher-stated capability, not an independent performance or latency test, so it does not establish that one platform feels more responsive than another.
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- Choose Switch if you value handheld play, want the listed touch option for single-player Taiko Mode, or are interested in the supported Taiko and Stick controller. Nintendo says the game is “Supported” on Switch 2, with behavior consistent with Nintendo Switch.
- Choose PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or PC if one of those platforms is where you prefer to play. The publisher’s up-to-120-fps statement applies to these newer-platform versions, but no measured comparison between them is established here.
Digital editions and DLC can differ by platform and regional storefront. Bandai Namco’s official game page carried a notice dated May 28, 2026, saying certain DLC would be discontinued; customers who had purchased affected content could redownload and continue using it in-game. The notice excerpt does not enumerate every pack or regional store, so check your own platform’s listing before planning a purchase.
Is Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival worth it?
It is a good fit if you want an easy-to-understand rhythm game with multiple difficulty levels, local party options, and a base set of 76 songs. The critic reception on Switch is favorable, while sampled reviews also flag the additional-content model as a consideration. Whether it remains satisfying beyond the base selection depends on how much you like those songs and whether you prefer chosen packs or a subscription for broader access.
For a first-time player, the standard-controller support keeps the entry cost simple: you can try the core experience without buying a drum accessory. For players already committed to the Taiko style, the optional drum controller may make play feel more like drumming, but compatibility should be verified for the specific model and platform. A demo is listed on the publisher’s game page and the Steam listing; availability may depend on platform and region.
Quick Recap
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