The February Nintendo Direct was an exciting one. Though it may not have announced the long-awaitedBreath of the Wild 2orHollow Knight: Silksong, players got glimpses at some famous Nintendo franchises with upcoming installments likeKirby and the Forgotten LandandSplatoon 3. Other lesser-expected announcements were made, likeEarthBound BeginningsandEarthBoundcoming to Nintendo Switch Online, and a newTaiko no Tatsujintitle, this time possible coming to the Switch as an exclusive.
Taiko no Tatsujinis particularly popular in Japan, as some might guess by the name, especially in arcades. The rhythm game has players holding hitting a taiko drum in time with the music, and in the arcade versions, by holding a pair of drumsticks. The long-running franchise has done collaborations with several gaming IPs includingTekkenandAce Attorneyas well as animes likeAssassination ClassroomandOne Piece.Now,Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festivalis using some of the groundbreaking music fromUndertale, and doing so could bring in a bigger audience due to how popular the music has become since the game’s launch.
RELATED:Undertale Song Performed for The Pope
Undertale’s Popularity
Up there with the likes ofCeleste,Stardew Valley, andCuphead,Undertaleis one of the most popular indie games of all time. Though its creator, Toby Fox, did not anticipate such a resounding response to his game,Undertale’s notoriously passionate fanbase would go on to be known as some of gaming’s most toxic—though it stems from a place of love. Whether that adoration has gone a bit too far or not,Undertalewas a huge hit for its all-around quality: its gameplay mechanics are challenging yet expertly designed, the dialogue is quirky and realistic, the cast of characters were eccentric yet charming, and its soundtrack is largely agreed upon to be some of gaming’s best.
Though sometimes it may come in the form of a meme,Undertale’s soundtrack is profoundly recognized in the gaming community, and while the entire score masterfully supports the underlying tones of the game, many agree that one of its strongest numbers is “Megalovania.” Very different fromSans’theme music, “Megalovania” only plays if players make it to the end of the Genocide Route and face off against the pun-loving bonehead, and he’s by farUndertale’s hardest boss. It’s an emotional and memorable moment forUndertalefans. However, the same could be said about many other numbers, including the Pacifist Runs' “Hopes and Dreams,” “Heartache,” “Bonetrousle,” and many more.
Undertale Music is Great for Rhythm Games
Because of the sheer intensity and popularity ofUndertale’s soundtrack, it makes for excellent renditions in rhythm games. For example, players can find plenty of custom levels to remixes of “Megalovania,” “Bonetrousle,” and any other bigUndertalesong onBeat Saber, StepMania,and evenGuitar Hero. While many gamers may not know because rhythm gaming isn’t usually in the eye of AAA news,Undertalehas proven to be a popular choice for fan-made levels, which is why using the officially licensed music legally is a great decision for making sales.
In fact,Undertalehas already had a collaboration withTaiko no Tatsujinin the past via an older Nintendo Switch release,Drum’n’Fun’s Undertale Pack DLC. It’s only a few songs, however, containing “Heartache,” Toriel’s boss fight song, “Megalovania,” and “Hopes and Dreams,” some ofUndertale’s most impactful numbers.
It’s unclear which numbers the latestTaiko no Tatsujinwill include from theUndertalesoundtrack aside from “Megalovania.” But with 76 songs on its roster so far, hopefully,Rhythm Festivalwill include a longer list than the previous DLC pack, because manyUndertalefanswould enjoy the opportunity to play them out on the drums.
