Patapon 1 + 2 Replay

A massive, unique, and addictive collection with some grind and backtracking, but still worth returning to.

Patapon 1+2 Replay finally gives these quirky rhythm-strategy games the treatment they deserve. It not only polishes up the originals but also significantly improves upon the 2020 remasters with quality-of-life enhancements we never realized were missing. It’s still as grindy, as bizarre, and as utterly unique as ever, even almost two decades on. It’s a bit disappointing that this collection excludes Patapon 3, but what’s here marches to the beat just fine.

Patapon 1+2 Replay delivers a faithful remaster of two beloved rhythm-strategy classics. With improved visuals, performance, and new accessibility options, it shines on Switch—despite lacking bonus content and showing minor input lag issues in handheld mode.

Rhythm action is a hard thing to get right at the best of times but, Patapon 1+2 Replay is a joyous package. It's great to see the return of such a niche and interesting set of games, and to see them reach new platforms too. With challenging gameplay and a fun sense of style, players would be remiss to miss this unique experience. Get these!

Patapon 1+2 Replay is a nostalgic blast from the past and features many upgrades from the original titles, including difficulty and latency sliders. While the story is light and the timing can be strict, this re-release manages to capture the charm of the originals while updating the games to stand alongside other modern titles, making Patapon 1+2 Replay a must-own for fans of the series.

Not much has been added to Patapon 1+2 Replay, but these two rhythm game oddities are as fun to play as they were eighteen years ago.

Patapon 1+2 Replay is a good pack to revive these two classic games, which has much more value in its Nintendo Switch version. They are two games that seem to be created for this platform. Its unique proposal, a mix of rhythm and strategy, is kept fresh thanks to its original design and technical improvements.

I really love these games, so much so that I’ve completely ignored the otherwise fatal latency issue by playing them exclusively in Handheld mode. After all, isn’t the Switch 2 just a very large PSP? I do wish they’d built in auto-saves, but…I guess I can live with it. Your own mileage may vary on that point. Go forth and get your pata pon.

Patapon 1 and 2 Replay remasters and presents the first two games in a satisfying package. For fans of the original games, there aren’t many surprises, but newcomers will find a cute and fun, albeit repetitive, experience.

Patapon 1+2 Replay is a weird but wonderful rhythm game that I’d highly recommend for veteran fans and newcomers alike, providing hours of portable fun and a dose of nostalgia.

Patapon 1+2 Replay proves that rhythm and strategy still go hand in hand today. With smart improvements, this is the best way to (re)experience these unique cult classics.

Having now spent the better part of the last week playing Patapon 1+2 Replay across multiple devices and the original PSP version on PS Vita, I’ve grown to appreciate the series more. Patapon 1+2 Replay isn’t perfect. It could use a better input timing calibration option for those who play docked, and some of the UI elements are a bit blurry on Nintendo Switch. However, this is one of the easiest recommendations for anyone who likes unique rhythm games. I recommend sticking to handheld mode for the best possible experience on Switch, though.

While Patapon 1+2 Replay is a pretty straightforward rerelease of its PSP counterparts, it remains an incredibly unique and deeply engaging set of games.

If you're going to play it on Nintendo Switch, make sure it's in portable mode and without Bluetooth headphones: this way you'll enjoy two unique gems of rhythm and action as their creators conceived it. A pity that the input lag calibration on TV is so archaic, so trial and error, because it can easily make you despair...

This collection preserves the charm and freshness of the original rhythm-strategy games with upgraded resolution, quality-of-life improvements, and new difficulty settings, but it lacks new content or extras, which makes it feel like a missed opportunity for a fuller tribute.

With the release of PATAPON 1+2 Replay comes vibrant and wonderful flashbacks to a colourful, vibrant, arcade-y and, most importantly, fun, era of games that don’t really exist anymore. It was a joy for me to visit these games for the first time, and I’m finally well invested in the majesty and magic of the RTS and rhythm fusion harmony that the franchise is known for. With how grandiose and exciting the battles get with their devotion to music and busy, frantic chaos that explode across the screen, I’d be hard-pressed to find any fan, new or old, who doesn’t find joy here, smiling like a huge dork as your units chant and stomp across the world. Though there’s still the oddball of funk, including some poor tutorialisation in the first game and real brick wall moments that require grind, I’m glad PATAPON is back in a largely unaffected package. Players should jump right into this here nostalgia-infused release. The water’s fine, and you’ll be remembering the Patapons’ spirit songs for years to come.

If you're looking for a full remake, you'll have to wait longer, as it's only a high-definition update. They're good games, but they don't have many improvements.

Ideal for short sessions and perfect for handheld game fans, Patapon 1 + 2 Replay is a captivating collection that pleases both veterans and newcomers alike, but it doesn’t offer much new for those who have played the games recently.

Two of the most original and addictive games you can get your hands on, and at a reduced price. OK as a remaster, too simple as a compilation.

Patapon 1+2 Replay is a real blast from the past and more than proves why this series was such a hit for Sony. It’s simple to play, but if you dig deeper you’ll find that there’s a real meaty game here. The rhythm-based controls make it unlike any strategy game you’ve ever played before. There are some small frustrations, but generally it succeeds in what it tries to do.

Patapon 1 + 2 is a great overall collection. Bringing back a couple of unique titles from the PlayStation Portable provides a rhythm experience that is difficult to find anywhere else. There are some significant improvements to the visuals, however as a remastered collection, it lacks much else beyond that. The games are demanding, and there will be a lot of repetition and planning that may not be for everyone. However, there is not anything quite like the feel of successfully finishing a level and keeping the little Patapons happy.

If you haven't played it before and want something really cosy to play for short periods of time, perhaps while travelling or similar, then it may well be just what you've been looking for.

A welcome new remaster of two of the PSP’s most iconic exclusives and while they’re as flawed as ever this is arguably the definitive version of the games.

Rhythm, gameplay, frustration, and strategy are the key elements in this port of a PSP classic to modern platforms. While some extra levels or quality-of-life improvements would have helped ease the tedious item grinding, this adaptation meets expectations—but offers nothing new for longtime fans of the franchise.

The inclusion of both the original and its superior sequel make Patapon 1+2 a great value release at the very least, but Bandai Namco could have done so much more to make these games as palatable as possible for modern audiences.