History VideoGame / TaikoDrumMaster

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/taiko_no_tatsujin.png]]

''Taiko no Tatsujin''[[labelnote:*]]lit. "Expert of Taiko"[[/labelnote]] (also known as ''[[MarketBasedTitle Taiko Drum Master]]'' for a while) is a series of rhythm games created by Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment. The series started in 2001 as an UsefulNotes/ArcadeGame; eventually console versions were released for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2, UsefulNotes/PlayStationPortable, UsefulNotes/NintendoDS, UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}, UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS, UsefulNotes/WiiU, UsefulNotes/PlaystationVita, UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, as well as for mobile, Apple iOS and Android.

The gameplay revolves around the traditional Japanese drum, the ''Taiko''. Red notes, or ''don'' notes, are played by hitting the center of the drum; blue, or ''kat'' notes by hitting the rim. Long yellow notes are drumrolls, where each hit during the note grants points, Balloon notes work similarly, where you have to hit the drums x times, where x is the number on the balloon. (The DS version exclusive note, the ''denden'', is like the balloon note, except you have to alternate between ''don'' and ''kat''.) The home console installments include a smaller drum-controller called the ''Tatacon'', but the handheld versions rely on analogue controls (although the player can use the touch screen as a 'drum' in the DS and 3DS versions)

''Taiko Drum Master'' has [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters many, many characters]], a wide range of songs, and a wider range of difficulty, shown by the [[NintendoHard infamous Oni difficulty]].[[note]]Also known as Extreme in English release of ''Drum Session'' and ''Drum 'n' Fun''[[/note]] This is part of its appeal, as casual gamers can handle the easier difficulties, while veterans can challenge themselves with Oni/Extreme. As mentioned above, the game is available on a very wide variety of platforms, and is perhaps the closest a RhythmGame has ever gotten to being PortOverdosed.

Games in the series include:

[[folder:List of games in Taiko no Tatsujin]]
* Arcade releases
** The first generation series, running on the Namco System 10 board, from Taiko no Tatsujin to Taiko no Tatsujin 6,
** The second generation series, running on the Namco System 246 board, with a graphical overhaul and new user interfaces. Runs from Taiko no Tatsujin 7 to Taiko no Tatsujin 14, with two Asia-region releases in Chinese, Taiko no Tatsujin 11 Asia and 12 Asia.
** The third and current generation series, running on the Namco System 357 board. Another graphical overhaul, and connectivity with Namco's Banapassport card system. The series was also rebooted, to an extent: the first game in this generation is simply called ''Taiko no Tatsujin''. Games include ''Taiko no Tatsujin'' (commonly referred to as Taiko 0 to differentiate it from the first game), ''Taiko no Tatsujin: KATSU-DON version'', ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Sorairo Version'', ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Kimidori Version'', ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Murasaki Version'', ''Taiko no Tatsujin: White Version'', ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Red Version'', ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Yellow Version'', ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Blue Version'' and ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Green Version''.
* Sony Playstation 2
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Tatacon de Dodon ga Don'' (2002). The first console release, introducing mini games and survival modes.
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Doki! Shinkyoku Darake no Haru Matsuri'' (2003)
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Appare! Sandaime'' (2003)
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Waku Waku Anime Matsuri'' (2003), sort of a LicensedGame, as effectively all songs in this version were Anime theme songs.
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Atsumare! Matsuri da!! Yondaime'' (2004). The first console game to switch to the second-generation graphics, as well as introducing the Don-point unlock system.
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Go! Go! Godaime'' (2004). Introduced the Doron (Invisible) modifier.
** ''Taiko Drum Master'' (2004). The first game to get a Western release, and the only localized game to use a MarketBasedTitle. Fully translated to English and included a few English-language songs.
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Tobikkiri! Anime Special'' (2005). Another anime LicensedGame.
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Wai Wai Happy! Rokudaime'' (2005). Introduced the [[OneHitPointWonder Perfect]] modifier.
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Doka! to Oomori Nanadaime'' (2006). Introduced the Abekobe (reverse notes) modifier, as well as the first console game to have a structured Adventure Mode.
* Sony Playstation Portable
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin Portable'' (2005). Featured additional DLC songs and supported local multiplayer for up to 2 players.
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin Portable 2'' (2006). First console game to feature a proper Story Mode.
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin Portable DX'' (2011). Featured medley mode, allowed stacking of modifiers, as well as introducing the Kimagure (Random) and Detarame (S-Random) modifiers.
* Nintendo DS
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin DS: Touch de Dokodon!'' (2007). Allowed download play for up to 4 players with one cartridge, and came with a unique stylus.
** ''Meccha! Taiko no Tatsujin DS: Nanatsu no Shima no Daibouken!'' (2008). Introduced boss battles for Story Mode, as well as the Bomb note (don't hit it).
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin DS: Dororon! Youkai Dai Kessen!'' (2010)
* Nintendo Wii
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin Wii'' (2008). First game to support lyrics at the bottom of the screen. Supports Miis.
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin Wii: Dodon~! to Nidaime!'' (2009). First console game to congratulate Full Combos.
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin Wii: Minna de Party Sandaime'' (2010).
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin Wii: Kettei-Ban'' (2011)
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin Wii: Chogouka-Ban'' (2012)
* Nintendo 3DS
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Chibi Dragon to Fushigi na Orb'' (2012). The first handheld game to use third-generation graphics.
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Don to Katsu no Jikuu Daibouken'' (2014). The first handheld game on Nintendo platform to features DLC songs.
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Dokodon! Mystery Adventure'' (2016)
* Mobile / iOS / Android
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin Mobile'' - Japanese cellphones only, only supports the two easiest difficulty modes.
** For iOS, ''Taiko no Tatsujin'' & ''Taiko no Tatsujin 2'' for iOS, two standalone apps with 5 songs each, as well as ''Taiko no Tatsujin RS'', a LicensedGame for Japanese band Rip Slime.
** Also for iOS, ''Taiko no Tatsujin Plus'', the main app for Taiko. Includes DLC packs and Twitter support.
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin Android'' - Functionally similar to the iOS 'Plus' version.
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin Plus: Shinkyoku Tori Houdai!'' - A port of ''Taiko no Tatsujin Plus'' for Android, but lacks the one-time paid song packs the iOS version has and relies on subscription-based service.
* Nintendo Wii U
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Wii U Version!'' (2013). The first console game to use 3rd generation graphics, and also the first console game to feature DLC songs.
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Tokumori!'' (2014)
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Atsumete Tomodachi Daisakusen!'' (2015). The first Taiko no Tatsujin game to not have Don as the main character in the Story mode as it had Katsu as the main character instead.
* Sony Playstation Vita
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin: V Version'' (2015). The first Taiko game on Sony platform to have 3rd generation graphics, scoring and navigation. Introduced the Spartan modifier.
* Sony Playstation 4
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Session de Dodon ga Don!'' (2017). The first Taiko no Tatsujin game with overhauled graphics UI and introduced the online-only ghosted session mode and offline-only guest session mode. Also the first console Taiko since 2004's ''Taiko Drum Master'' to get an English release and the first to be released worldwide as ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum Session'', with it and the ''Nintendo Switch version'' launching in the West on the same day.
* Nintendo Switch
** ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Nintendo Switch Version'' (2018). Lets you use the Joy-Con controllers as drumsticks and has a selection of multiplayer minigames. It's localized internationally as ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum 'n' Fun!'' and be released in the West alongside the first [=PS4=] game on the same day.
[[/folder]]

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!!The franchise provides examples of:
* ADayInTheLimelight: Katsu in ''Atsumete Tomodachi Daisakusen!''.
* AndYourRewardIsClothes: Some outfits are obtainable by purchase from Reward Shop and completing Don Challenge in arcade Taiko games. Some are obtainable by playing certain songs, such as [[http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/taiko/images/a/a0/KRGhostDonChan.png this]] [[Series/KamenRiderGhost one]] in ''White Version''.
* AnimateInanimateObject: Don and Katsu Wada are living ''taiko'' drums.
* AprilFoolsDay: 2008 was a crossover between it and Bemani. The 2009 prank... became a reality.
* AscendedExtra:
** From the American version, "Don Rangers," originally heard ''very'' briefly during one of the intermission scenes in ''VideoGame/KatamariDamacy''.
** Shin-Uchi Mode originally debuted as a secret mode in ''Taiko 14'' that was only accessible with a CheatCode, but it was popular enough with players to become an official ruleset for competitive ''Taiko''.
* BigBad: Dr. Waruru from ''Dodon~! to Nidaime!'' is responsible for the creation of the Waru Robots that wreak havoc on the festival.
* BigEater: Don and Katsu love food, and most of the minigames in the ''Taiko no Tatsujin'' series involves food.
%%* BossBattle
* BrainwashedAndCrazy: [[spoiler:Alumi]] from ''Dodon~! to Nidaime!'' is brainwashed by [[spoiler:her creator, Dr. Waruru,]] into wreaking havoc on the festival and fighting her friends. Don manages to bring her back to her senses, but she stops functioning as a result of her defeat.
* ClassicCheatCode:
** Most versions of the arcade game have Oni/Extreme difficulty as a secret unlockable difficulty by hitting the left/right rim ten times on a specific menu. Newer versions of the arcade game allow you to keep Oni/Extreme unlocked permanently if you have a Banapassport and clear one song on Oni/Extreme difficulty, while most console versions either unlock it another way or just have it open from the outset.
** ''Taiko 14'' also allows you to use the same cheat code on the title screen to unlock the hidden Shin-Uchi Mode, which bases scoring only on note input timing. Newer 3rd Generation versions and newer console versions have Shin-Uchi Mode accessible as a default mod instead.
* CrossOver:
** Many songs from ''VideoGame/TheIdolmaster'' have been featured, dating back all the way to the arcade version's release. In fact, the PS Vita game ''THE iDOLM@STER: Must Songs'' is basically ''Taiko no Tatsujin: THE iDOLM@STER Edition''.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fpNPlI2q0k Some]] songs from ''[[Music/{{Vocaloid}} Project Diva]]'' appears in the Taiko games. On the other hand, ''Project Diva Extend'' has loading-screen ads for ''Taiko no Tatsujin DX'', featuring the Vocaloids drawn as drums.
** Don-Chan is playable in ''VideoGame/MarioKart Arcade GP DX'' the third in a series of [[ShapedLikeItself Mario Kart Arcade games]] developed by [[Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment Namco]]. He also [[TheCameo cameos]] as one of VideoGame/PacMan's many Namco {{Shout Out}}s in his playable appearance in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros for [=WiiU / 3DS=]''.
** The ''Tenkaichi otoge sai Zenkoku issei nintei taikai'' event sees ''Taiko no Tatsujin Kimidori ver.'' receiving crossovers from other developers' rhythm games:
*** "Garakuta Doll Play" by t+pazolite, from ''VideoGame/{{maimai}}''
*** "Got more raves?" by COSIO (under his "E.G.G." alias used for his boss tracks), from ''VideoGame/GrooveCoaster''
*** "FLOWER" by DJ YOSHITAKA, from ''VideoGame/{{jubeat}}''
** Many songs from ''VideoGame/YokaiWatch'' was added to the rhythm game through several arcade updates and conosle releases, which also includes an appearance by Nate and several other Yo-Kai, and Jibanyan himself appears as a recruitable battle member in ''Don to Katsu no Jikuu Daibouken'' and ''Dokodon! Mystery Adventure''. In exchange, Don-Chan was made a guest character in ''Yo-Kai Watch 2'' and ''Yo-kai Watch 3''.
** In addition to Jibanyan mentioned above, ''Don to Katsu no Jikuu Daibouken'' also includes few guest characters as battle members, including Funassyi and [[VideoGame/MonsterHunter Mon and Hun]].
** While ''V Version'' only has original characters as battle members, guest characters appear as either support, costumes, or deathblow in the game's story mode. This includes [[VideoGame/RidgeRacer Reiko Nagase, Kamata SYNCI, Saul, Gordon]], [[VideoGame/FreedomWars Propa, Propaganda Idols]], [[Music/{{Vocaloid}} Gumi, IA]], [[VideoGame/AceCombat ASF-X Shinden II]], [[{{VideoGame/Ys}} Adol Christin]], [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsOfColdSteel Rean Schwarzer]], [[{{VideoGame/Tekken}} Kazuya Mishima, Emilie De Rochefort]], [[Manga/AssassinationClassroom Koro-Sensei]] and others
** ''Dokodon! Mystery Adventure'' features a wide variety of guest characters in its RPG mode, including [[Franchise/{{Kirby}} Kirby and King Dedede]], [[Franchise/AceAttorney Phoenix Wright]], [[VideoGame/{{Touhou}} Reimu Hakurei, Marisa Kirisame, Sakuya Izayoi]] and others, with Jibanyan and Koro-Sensei making return as a battle member and support respectively from previous installments.
** ''Drum Session!'' features guest characters for selected songs that has guess session mode. This includes [[{{Music/HatsuneMiku}} Hatsune Miku]], [[{{VideoGame/Tekken}} Heihachi Mishima]], [[{{Franchise/HelloKitty}} Hello Kitty]], [[{{Anime/Doraemon}} Doraemon]] and [[{{VideoGame/PacMan}} Pac-Man]].
** Both ''Drum Session!'' and ''Drum 'n' Fun!'' has an ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' DLC pack that contains "MEGALOVANIA", "Hopes and Dreams", and "Heartache".
* DamnYouMuscleMemory: The way difficulty ratings work in this series is different from many other rhythm games with difficulty scales. Whereas rating values are on a single scale in many other music games (for example, song A may have a Normal chart rated 4 and Hard chart rated 5, and song B may have a Normal chart rated 6 and Hard chart rated 8; song B's Normal thus is harder than song A's Hard), the difficulty rating shown on each chart is an indicator of difficulty relative to other songs on the same difficulty. For example, song A may have a Normal chart rated 5 and song B may have a Hard chart rated 4; song B's Hard chart will still be harder than song A's Normal. Inexperienced players who have played other music games may thus try that Hard 5* chart, assuming it to be about as hard as a Normal 5* chart, only to get bodied. This also means that you will frequently encounter songs where the ratings from easiest difficulty level to hardest will not necessarily go from lowest number to highest.
* DefeatMeansFriendship: The [[QuirkyMinibossSquad Dokon-Dan]] (from DS 2) and the Waru-Mekkas (from Wii 2) becomes so in their respective games' ending sequence.
* DynamicDifficulty: Some charts have Diverge notes, in which the chart will switch to one of two different forks depending on your performance so far.
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: Tellu from ''Dodon~! to Nidaime!'' is one of the Waru Robots that wreak havoc on the festival by order of their creator, Dr. Waruru. When defeated, however, she seems glad to see her estranged sister, [[spoiler:Alumi]], alive.
* ExcusePlot: Most of the "Campaign" modes from the newer console versions have it to justify beating stuff up with taiko drumming.
* TheFourGods: The four most difficult songs are dubbed as so by the [[WordOfGod staff team]]. Which makes things interesting considering how the fandom speculates that Ryougen no Mai's composer is [[spoiler: Tatsh]].
* InconsistentDub: Don's name has been translated as "Don", "DON-CHAN", "DON-chan", and "Don Chan". In Japan, he's "Don-chan".
* InterfaceScrew: During the boss battles in DS 2, sometimes the bosses will make noises, represented as [[WrittenSoundEffect sound effects]] that cover part of the notes.
* {{Keet}}: Both Don and Katsu.
* LastNoteNightmare: Notechart-wise, Hello!Halloween and Rotter Tarmination
* LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters: Aside from the titular characters Don and Katsu, there are many MANY more characters, all either humans or walking, talking items found in traditional japanese festivals.
* LongTitle: The second DS installment is named ''Meccha! Taiko no Tatsujin DS: 7-tsu no Shima no Daibouken''
* LootBoxes: ''Drum Session'' has a non-{{Microtransaction}}-based variant in the form of Treasure Boxes. Treasure Boxes can be bought with the in-game currency DON Coins, which are earned from BINGO Cards, Sessions, playing online, and completing the MinigameCredits. Everything you can get from Treasure Boxes is cosmetics to deck out Don-chan and your profile, but there's a rare chance that you'll get ''absolutely nothing'' from a Treasure Box.
* MarketBasedTitle: The one [=PS2=] game that got released in the West is called ''Taiko Drum Master''. Averted with the Switch and [=PS4=] versions, which just use the ''Taiko no Tatsujin'' name.
* MistakenForCheating: [[TheSmurfettePrinciple Donko]] gets into a fit when she sees Don with Miko, in ''Portable DX''. This despite Miko is clearly a human girl and Don and Donko being taiko drums.
* NintendoHard: Easy and Normal tend to be fairly easy, and Hard is challenging yet not insane. [[HarderThanHard Oni/Extreme]], however...''hoo boy''. There's also the matter of having to learn how to hold the sticks properly, as an improper technique can make charts harder than they're supposed to be and blister your fingers.
* NonIndicativeDifficulty: The star difficulty can be somewhat off sometimes. For example, Bolero is 5* on Normal and 7* on Oni/Extreme, although those difficulties are too high (Bolero on 2x speed is arguably one of the easiest Oni/Extreme songs in the DS version, arguably as easy as a typical 2-4* song) and Tonari no Totoro is 5* on Oni/Extreme when it is really like a 5* on Hard. On the other hand, some songs should have more stars, such as Go Go Kitchen on normal (it is 5*, but is more like 7*).
* OneHitPointWonder: The Perfect mod. You miss once, you fail the stage. The similar Spartan mod instantly restarts the song if you miss a note, which makes it easier to retry for full combos.
* ThePowerOfFriendship: This series won't relent from [[JustForPun drumming]] the importance of having friends into your head! It's a Japanese spirit.
* QuirkyMinibossSquad: The "villains" from DS 2. Overlaps with TerribleTrio, since they seem to be inspired by the UrExample, the "bad guys" from the ''Anime/TimeBokan'' series. They are a small humanoid cat, a woman and a big dumb robot.
** The 3DS installment introduces another set of minibosses, this time based on the SevenDeadlySins
* RecurringRiff: Notechart-wise...Saitama2000. Even the song itself spawned sequels such as Kitasaitama 2000, Hayasaitama2000, and now, [[OverlyLongGag Mata]]saitama2000.
* {{Retraux}}: A number of medleys based off the NES games are composed in 8-bit. And of course there's YMCK's Family Don-don.
* RiskStyleMap: The Omikoshi Battle from ''Portable DX'', in which you must defeat other taiko drum characters from all over Japan who are possessed by something resembling black smoke. The default option is starting from Tokyo.
* RPGElements: Some of the newer games have a "Campaign" mode that utilizes RPG-based mechanics and involves battling monsters and various kinds of enemies via taiko drumming. Cosmetics you collect inside and outside the campaign mode can be equipped to Don-chan and Katsu-chan to modify their stats and give them abilities. Certain games like ''V Version'' have additional mechanics that also modify characters and combat.
* ScoreMultiplier: One of the key elements to the scoring system of ''Taiko'' is how much emphasis it places in maintaining your combo. As your combo count rises, the amount of points dispensed for each individual hit increases, and you also get a massive amount of bonus points at [[EveryTenThousandPoints every 100 Combo threshold]]. Losing your combo ''severely'' impacts your score, making it extremely difficult to get high scores if you mess up even once.
* SeriesMascot: Don and Katsu.
* ShrineMaiden: Miko from ''Portable DX''. She's also the de-facto main character in Omikoshi Battle ([[NonEntityGeneral the player being the unseen conductor]]).
* SirCameosALot: Don-chan has appeared in various games including ''VideoGame/MarioKart'', ''VideoGame/MonsterRancher'', ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}}'', and ''VideoGame/YokaiWatch''.
* SoundtrackDissonance:
** Many of the songs are music that are about the last thing you'd associate with taiko drums. Anyone wanna drum to J-Pop or Western pop? Or better yet, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcfzuYj8c6g the first stage music]] from ''VideoGame/{{Darius}}''?
** Songs from the 2000 series are so weird it is difficult to imagine drumming to them.
* SpinOff: Namco and Nintendo co-developed ''VideoGame/DonkeyKonga'' for the Gamecube, which has very similar gameplay, except using a pair of bongos instead.
* StellarName: SORA-I Earth Rise, SORA-II Glise 581 and Sora-III Heliopause are named after astronomical terms. SORA-IV, however, deliberately averts this. Some other songs, such as Total Eclipse 2035 and Daidara 8551 are also named after astronomical terms
* ThemeNaming: The Waru Robots from ''Dodon~! to Nidaime!'' are named after chemical elements: Antimon (antimony), Yttrium, Gallium, Tantal (tantalum), Germa (germanium), Tungsten, Tellu (tellurium), and [[spoiler:Alumi]] ([[spoiler:aluminium]]).
* ToiletHumor: There are several unlockable drums you can obtain, such as a tambourine, a bell and so on. One of them is a butt which produces farting noises.
* VirtualPaperDoll: The player's respective Don-Chans can be customized extensively with different colors, patterns, and outfits.
* VariableMix: "Songs" like [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGTy0z7yLzY&feature=related this]] are playable in the series.
* VerbalTic:
** Don and Katsu Wada add "-don" and "-kat" to their respective sentences.
** Alumi from ''Dodon~! to Nidaime!'' adds "-nora" or "-ro" to her sentences.
* VillainousFriendship: Tellu from ''Dodon~! to Nidaime!'' is one of the Waru Robots that wreak havoc on the festival by order of their creator, Dr. Waruru. It's implied that she used to be friends with her sister, [[spoiler:Alumi]], before the latter suffered from amnesia.
* WidgetSeries: Absolutely everything that appears in the game is deeply-entrenched in Japanese culture, in both classic and modern sense.
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* InconsistentDub: Don's name has been translated as "Don" and "Don Chan". In Japan, he's "Don-chan".

* SoundtrackDissonance: Many of the songs are music that are about the last thing you'd associate with taiko drums. Anyone wanna drum to J-Pop or Western pop? Or better yet, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcfzuYj8c6g the first stage music]] from ''VideoGame/{{Darius}}''?

** ''Drum 'n' Fun!'' has an ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' DLC pack that contains "MEGALOVANIA", "Hopes and Dreams", and "Heartache".

** ''Drum 'n' Fun!'' has an ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' DLC pack that contains "MEGALOVANIA", "Hopes and Dreams", and "Heartbreak".

** ''Nintendo Switch Version'' has an ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' DLC pack that contains "MEGALOVANIA", "Hopes and Dreams", and "Heartbreak".

''Taiko Drum Master'' (''Taiko no Tatsujin'' in Japan, lit. "Expert of Taiko") is a series of rhythm games created by Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment. The series started in 2001 as an UsefulNotes/ArcadeGame; eventually console versions were released for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2, UsefulNotes/PlayStationPortable, UsefulNotes/NintendoDS, UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}, UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS, UsefulNotes/WiiU, UsefulNotes/PlaystationVita, UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, as well as for mobile, Apple iOS and Android.

** ''Taiko Drum Master'' (2004). The only game to get a Western release. Fully translated to English and included a few English-language songs.

** ''Nintendo Switch Version'' has an {{VideoGame/Undertale}} DLC pack that contains MEGALOVANIA, Hopes and Dreams, and Heartbreak.

* VerbalTics:

* VerbalTic: 'Da-don!'

* BigEater: Don and Katsu. They love food, and most of the minigames in the ''Taiko no Tatsujin'' series involves food.

* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: Tellu from ''Dodon~! to Nidaime!'' is one of the Waru Robots that wreak havoc on the festival by order of their creator, Dr. Waruru. After her defeat, however, she seems glad to see her estranged sister, [[spoiler:Alumi]], alive.

** ''Gera Gera Po no Uta'' from ''VideoGame/YokaiWatch'' was added to the a recent update to the game, which also includes an appearance by Nate and several other Yo-Kai, and Jibanyan himself appears as a recruitable battle member in ''Don to Katsu no Jikuu Daibouken''. In exchange, Don-Chan was made a guest character in ''Yo-Kai Watch 2''.

** ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Wai Wai Happy! Rokudaime'' (2005). Introduced the [[OneHitPointWonder Sudden Death]] modifier.

** ''Taiko no Tatsujin: V Version'' (2015). The first Taiko game on Sony platform to have 3rd generation graphics, scoring and navigation.

The gameplay revolves around the traditional Japanese drum, the ''Taiko''. Red notes, or ''don'' notes, are played by hitting the center of the drum; blue, or ''kat'' notes by hitting the rim. Long yellow notes are drumrolls, where each hit during the note grants points, Balloon notes work similarly, where you have to hit the drums x times, where x is the number on the balloon. (The DS version exclusive note, the ''denden'', is like the balloon note, except you have to alternate between ''don'' and ''kat''.) The Play Station 2 and Wii installments include a smaller drum-controller called the ''Tatacon'', but the handheld versions rely on analogue controls (although the player can use the touch screen as a 'drum' in the DS and 3DS versions)

** The third and current generation series, running on the Namco System 357 board. Another graphical overhaul, and connectivity with Namco's Banapassport card system. The series was also rebooted, to an extent: the first game in this generation is simply called ''Taiko no Tatsujin''. Games include ''Taiko no Tatsujin'' (commonly referred to as Taiko 0 to differentiate it from the first game), ''Taiko no Tatsujin: KATSU-DON version'', ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Sorairo Version'', ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Kimidori Version'', ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Murasaki Version'', ''Taiko no Tatsujin: White Version'', ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Red Version'', ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Yellow Version'' and ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Blue Version''.

** ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Nintendo Switch Version'' (2018). Lets you use the Joy-Con controllers as drumsticks and has a selection of multiplayer minigames. It'll be localized internationally as ''Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum 'n' Fun!'' and be released in the West alongside the first [=PS4=] game on the same day.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/taiko_cal_1102_03_5550.jpg]]

** ''Dokodon! Mystery Adventure'' features a wide variety of guest characters in its RPG mode, including [[Franchise/{{Kirby}} Kirby and King DeDeDe]], [[Franchise/AceAttorney Phoenix Wright]], [[VideoGame/{{Touhou}} Reimu Hakurei, Marisa Kirisame, Sakuya Izayoi]] and others, with Jibanyan and Koro-Sensei making return as a battle member and support respectively from previous installments.