One of the most enduring rhythm games of the past decade is Bandai Namco’s Taiko no Tatsujin series. Only localized once for the West as Taiko: Drum Master on the PS2, although Donkey Konga can be seen as a spin-off, the franchise has thrived in its home region of Japan, with its massive drums making it something of an arcade staple.
Back in 2014 Bandai Namco released a 3DS installment in the series that added something a little different: an RPG-esque story mode. Players controlled the drum mascots as they adventured around a colorful world making friends and battling enemies with the power of song.
Now a sequel of sorts is on the way, titled Taiko no Tatsujin Dokodon! Mystery Adventure, and it will be adding some familiar faces as recruit-able allies:
That’s right, Phoenix Wright, Kirby and King Dedede will be making appearances from the video game side of things, while Koro-Sensei and Rakitama are heading over from the realm of anime and manga (Assassination Classroom and Kamisama Minarai respectively).
You can check out the full trailer below, which also shows off returning cameo characters from Monster Hunter, Yo-Kai Watch and more:
Taiko no Tatsujin Dokodon! Mystery Adventure will launch in Japan on June 16th.
Whether we’ll see this new Taiko game in the West is anyone’s guess. Chances are the licensing alone would make it a tricky prospect, but given the arcade game’s recent appearance in the English localization of Yakuza 5 and Bandai Namco’s growing interest in Western markets, it shouldn’t be totally ruled out.
Rest assured, we’ll be sure to let you know if a localization is ever announced!
Written by Tom Brown
Whether it’s an exciting new entry in a series long established or a weird experiment meant only for the dedicated, Tom is eager to report on it. Rest assured, if Nintendo ever announces Elite Beat Agents 2, he’ll be there.
