Patapon 1+2 Replay Review: Rhythm Strategy Classics Remastered on Nintendo Switch

Patapon 1+2 Replay Review: Rhythm Strategy Classics Remastered on Nintendo Switch Bandai Namco Entertainment continues its trend of reviving classic Sony handheld games with the release of Patapon 1+2 Replay.

Nearly twenty years after Patapon and Patapon 2 made their debut on the PlayStation Portable (PSP), both titles return in a remastered bundle for Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Steam, offering a host of enhancements for modern gamers.

This review focuses on the Nintendo Switch version, tested on both the Nintendo Switch OLED and Switch 2 models. For those unfamiliar, Patapon and Patapon 2 are innovative rhythm strategy games that combine musical rhythm mechanics with tactical decision-making and light RPG elements.

Players guide a tribe of Patapons—adorable, cyclopean warriors—by inputting specific button sequences in time to catchy in-game music.

Each button acts as a distinct drum sound, and performing the right sequences commands the tribe to march, attack, and defend as they journey across 2D battlefields.

As the game unfolds, new command combinations, units, and strategic elements are introduced, deepening the gameplay experience. At the center of the story is the Patapon tribe, who view the player as their deity.

Gamers decide which units and classes to deploy for each stage, customizing equipment and formations to fit the challenge ahead.

The narrative follows the tribe's quest to reach Earthend, presenting their history and journey through a series of stylized cutscenes—which, in this remaster, can now be skipped for convenience. Patapon 1+2 Replay brings the beloved duology together with notable upgrades.

Both games run at a crisp 60 frames per second and feature higher-resolution art assets, breathing new life into the franchise's minimalist, timeless aesthetic.

Accessibility features have been expanded, including three difficulty modes that primarily adjust the rhythm window for the game's Fever mode, the option to display command prompts during gameplay, and the ability to skip previously unskippable cinematics.

These enhancements collectively ensure the experience is both faithful to the originals and more approachable for newcomers. Bandai Namco has prioritized performance and visual fidelity on the Switch.

While playing primarily in handheld mode on the Nintendo Switch OLED and Switch 2, gameplay was responsive and visually striking.

The OLED display, in particular, accentuates Patapon's bold, stylish graphics.

Some users may notice minor inconsistencies, such as certain button prompts rendered in lower resolution and aliased edges on the Switch 2, but these do not detract significantly from the overall presentation. Input latency, a major concern with earlier remasters of Patapon, is much improved in Patapon 1+2 Replay.

Testing across Switch OLED, Switch 2, and even original hardware like the PS Vita, input accuracy remains tight and consistent, especially in handheld play.

The addition of robust calibration or separate input settings for docked and handheld modes would be a welcome patch in the future, but out-of-the-box performance is more than satisfactory. On the feature front, Patapon 1+2 Replay delivers the two core games rather than extra bonus content, interviews, or a museum mode.

However, the bundle provides substantial value, easily offering over 30 hours of engaging rhythm action bolstered by the memorable Patapon soundtrack.

The games' music and sound design continue to shine, particularly on devices with quality speakers like the Nintendo Switch OLED and Steam Deck OLED. Compared to its initial remaster on PS4, Bandai Namco has made significant strides in accessibility, visual presentation, and playability.

Despite some nitpicks—such as wishes for more calibration settings and higher resolution UI assets—Patapon 1+2 Replay is an excellent recommendation for fans of unique rhythm games and newcomers alike.

For the best experience, the game is best enjoyed on the Nintendo Switch in handheld mode, where its art and gameplay best come to life. Patapon 1+2 Replay is available now on Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Steam, marking a triumphant return for these genre-defining titles to modern consoles.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Bandai Namco Switch Namco Patapon Bandai Patapon 2 Patapon 1+2 Replay Nintendo Switch OLED Switch 2 Steam PS5 PSP Steam Deck Rog Ally PS Vita