Crossovers with Taiko no Tatsujin
| Taiko no Tatsujin | |
|---|---|
| |
| First installment | Taiko no Tatsujin (2001) |
| Latest installment | Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Connect (2023) |
Taiko no Tatsujin is a series of games developed by Bandai Namco. It consists of rhythm games in which players play a taiko drum while following a piece of music.
The games feature numerous songs and costumes based on the Super Mario franchise. Additionally, its mascot, Don-chan, is a playable character in Mario Kart Arcade GP DX. The Donkey Konga series also features similar gameplay to Taiko no Tatsujin.
Overview
In every game of the Taiko no Tatsujin series, the player has to hit a taiko drum peripheral or controller buttons in rhythm with "notes" scrolling from the right of the screen. Each note corresponds to a certain hit of the drum or a different button. The games have different difficulties for each song: Easy, Medium, Hard, and Extreme. Hitting notes accurately fills a "spirit gauge", and songs are cleared if the gauge is filled past a specified point when they conclude. Inaccurately hitting notes, or not using the drum for a note, drains the gauge.
Prominent crossover elements
Characters
Don-chan
- Main article: Don-chan
Don Wada, typically known as Don-chan or simply Don, is the main character of the Taiko no Tatsujin series. He is a blue and red taiko drum with white arms and legs who appears as the playable character. He has the ability to craft items. He, like his brother Ka-chan, was born after his soul was merged into a taiko drum. Don-chan can also wear different costumes, which are unlocked by playing songs in the games.
In the Super Mario franchise, Don-chan has appeared as a playable character in Mario Kart Arcade GP DX. The Don-chan Cup from the same game is also named after him. He also makes a small cameo appearance in the Super Smash Bros. series, specifically Pac-Man's Namco Roulette taunt.
History in the Super Mario franchise
Donkey Konga series
The Donkey Konga series, also developed by Namco three years after the first Taiko no Tatsujin game, features extremely similar gameplay to Taiko no Tatsujin. Both series consist in rhythm games featuring a musical instrument as a optional peripheral, the difference being the use of bongos in Donkey Konga instead of taiko drums. The series also has a near-identical interface, in which notes (known as "beats") scroll from the right just like in Taiko no Tatsujin.
Mario Kart Arcade GP DX
In Mario Kart Arcade GP DX, Don-chan is a playable character. He has poor speed, average acceleration, and great handling. Strawberry Don-chan and Hero Don-chan are also available as unlockable costumes in the game. Don-chan also has his own kart, known as the Don Doko Drive, which increases a character's acceleration by one. A cup based on Taiko no Tatsujin, known as the Don-chan Cup, consists in two courses (Bon Dance Street and Omatsuri Circuit) themed after the series.
History in the Taiko no Tatsujin franchise
Super Mario songs in Taiko no Tatsujin
It has been requested that this section be rewritten and expanded to include more information. Reason: Is anything missing? Also verify which visual effects show up in each game.
| Title | Available in: | Description |
|---|---|---|
| "Super Mario Bros." | Taiko no Tatsujin 8 to 14 Medal no Tatsujin 2 Taiko no Tatsujin DS: Touch de Dokodon! Taiko no Tatsujin Wii Taiko no Tatsujin Red Version Taiko no Tatsujin Yellow Version Taiko no Tatsujin Blue Version Taiko no Tatsujin: Wii U Version Taiko no Tatsujin Green Version Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival |
A medley of tracks from Super Mario Bros.. In order, it plays "Ground BGM" "Underground Theme", "Super Star", the "Underwater Theme", "Castle BGM", "World Clear", "Ending", and various sound effects from Super Mario Bros.
In 13, 14, DS, and Wii, characters that appear on the bottom screen include Mario, Goomba, Toad, Buzzy Beetle, Koopa Troopa, Lakitu, Bullet Bill, Bowser, Princess Peach, Koopa Paratroopa, Hammer Bro, and Blooper. In Taiko no Tatsujin 13, 14, and Wii, when notes are hit, Super Mushrooms, 1-Up Mushrooms, Poison Mushrooms, and Super Stars appear. |
| "New Super Mario Bros. Wii Medley" | Taiko no Tatsujin Wii: Minna de Party Sandaime! Taiko no Tatsujin Wii: Kettei-Ban Taiko no Tatsujin Wii: Chogouka-Ban Taiko no Tatsujin 14 |
A medley of tracks from New Super Mario Bros. Wii. In order, it plays "Ground Theme," "Underground Theme," "P Switch," "Coin Heaven," "Athletic Theme," and "Course Clear." Mario, Luigi, Blue Toad, and Yellow Toad appear dancing along with the track. At the end, the Koopalings and Bowser Jr. appear. When notes are hit, Goombas, along with green and red Koopa Paratroopas, appear. Fireworks that take the shape of Super Mushrooms and Super Stars appear. |
| "Fever" | Taiko no Tatsujin: Wii U Version Taiko no Tatsujin Red Version Taiko no Tatsujin Yellow Version Taiko no Tatsujin Blue Version |
This track was added to Taiko no Tatsujin: Wii U Version on March 19, 2014, alongside other themes from Nintendo Entertainment System games. No unique visuals play for this track. |
| "Jump Up, Super Star!" (Short Version) | Taiko no Tatsujin Blue Version Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum 'n' Fun! Taiko no Tatsujin Green Version |
This track was added to Taiko no Tatsujin Blue Version on April 18, 2018. No unique visuals play for this track. |
Super Mario costumes in Taiko no Tatsujin
On September 13, 2018, a Cappy costume was released for Blue Version.
In Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival, Mario and Luigi costumes are available.
Super Smash Bros. series
In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Pac-Man's Namco Roulette taunt features Don-chan as one of the characters that he can randomly summon. Additionally, the arrangement of "Symphonic Druaga" from Taiko no Tatsujin Wii: Do-Don to Nidaime! was used in the reveal trailer for Gil's Mii Fighter costume in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Gallery
Taiko no Tatsujin Wii: Kettei-ban screenshot
Mario Kart Arcade GP DX artwork
Mario Kart Arcade GP DX screenshot
Don-chan and Mario at Japan Amusement Expo 2013
