Classic PSP rhythm adventures Patapon 1 & 2 are shaking off their PlayStation exclusivity

A mere 18 years after its initial debut on Sony’s PSP handheld, celebrated rhythm adventure Patapon is breaking free from its PlayStation exclusivity. It is set to release for Switch, PC, and PS5 as a dual-game remaster package – which also includes Patapon 2 – on July 11th.

Patapon 1 captivated players when it debuted on the PlayStation Portable platform in 2007, challenging them to guide a tribe of charming sentient eyeballs – the Patapon of the title – through a perilous landscape. This dynamic blend of real-time strategy and rhythm-action had players battling foes using various unit types and issuing drum-based commands to the beat.

Patapon garnered the Eurogamer stamp of approval, achieving a respectable score of 8/10. Its worthy sequel – introducing new Patapon forms and fresh drum rhythms – was also warmly received upon release the following year. Since then, the franchise has seen a third installment, and the first two titles have made their way to PS4 in remastered editions.

These initial two games are indeed set to make a return once more, this time through Bandai Namco. When Patapon 1+2 Replay is released for Switch, PC, and PlayStation 5 on July 11th, it will feature “fresh updates” for both included games aimed at making the experience “more accessible and enjoyable”. These enhancements include three difficulty modes (Normal, Easy, Hard), timing adjustments, and a straightforward display mode.

Thus, it is truly an excellent time to be a Patapon enthusiast. Not only is the franchise on the verge of an official comeback some 14 years after…