Get out of my head, Charles!
So - I forgot to order a memory stick duo to store save games for my PSP. This means that the only way to "save" until it gets here is to use the PSP's sleep function (effectively keeping me stuck on one game).

Lucky for me, Patapon is so catchy I probably wouldn't have started playing Crisis Core by now anyway!

This game is not for everyone - people with extremely poor rhythm, or people who are turned off by simplistic, cutesy graphics (I get made fun of by some of my buddies in Iraq for playing what amounts to a Java game on a 200-dollar handheld system, heh) probably won't like Patapon.

Other people that get a kick out of the idea of leading your own tribe against an evil empire using talking drums (people who like "kooky" games) will absolutely adore Patapon.

I, for one, can't get the "Bon BonBon" song out of my head.

5 out of 5 stars. Most American developers probably wouldn't take a risk on a game concept like this - that's why I really like Japanese game developers. They'll take an idea and just run with it.

Patapon rocks!
Over the years, I have played both strategy games and rhythm games. In Patapon, I get to play both genres in one and strangely enough it works!

You are the mighty god of rhythm to a struggling band of Patapon warriors who were displaced from their homeland by the evil Zigoton. You lead the Patapons in the battle to reclaim their territory by pressing the PSP buttons in a rhythmical pattern that simulates drum beats. Different drum cadences inspire the Patapon to advance, fight, defend or retreat.

Each time your Patapons accomplish a mission they earn rewards such as weapons, armor and various raw materials that can be used to create upgraded Patapons with stronger attributes. You can even learn powerful Juju rhythms that will perform miracles such as calling up rain or windstorms that aid you in battle.

My only quibble with the game is that the tutorials are very skimpy. You can get some advice from the tribal priestess, Meden, but like most oracles her hints are somewhat cryptic, leaving you on your own to puzzle out what to do, especially for things like how to dismiss your old Patapons in order to swap in their upgraded counterparts. I suppose you could always read the game manual but honestly, who ever takes the time to do that, really?

Patapon is very enjoyable and worth playing. I definitely recommend it but be forewarned the drumbeat rhythms are somewhat addictive. After a long session, it will take a while to clear the Pata Pata Pata PON and Don Dodon Dodon out of your head.

Pretty fun
After reading reviews and seeing videos i was kind of worried that i would hate the game but since it got such great reviews I decided to try it. It is pretty fun and you can take little missions in short amounts of time. I just wish the lil patapons would run faster.

There is strategy to this game because what troops you bring effect if you are going to beat the mission or not.

over all i am satisfied and feel its worth the money you should take a look at some youtube video to see if this game is for you. Its like DDR for your fingers because you keep a rhythm to make them attack or defend or walk..... its not really button mashing and not very fast paced.... patients is required

Great little game, not for everyone
Patapon is a great game overall-- I love the concept of controlling your army through drumming, an new idea different from just following beats on DDR/Guitar Hero. I was a little apprehensive at first, thinking that it might be boring. Plus, I'm not even that great with rhythm games in general. But for 20 bucks, Patapon came to be a gem and won't break your bank.

A few points...
- Clean, crisp, beautiful graphics (even while 2-D)
- Great beats... had me humming to myself
- Appeals to a variety of genres (RPG, strategy, rhythm, etc.)
- New, fresh idea of a game
- You'll need some patience! The drumming are pretty much going to be the same beats with different buttons and that can get repetitive fast, so you'll need to be able to stand that. Definitely a game that requires some concentration!
- Nice minigames to mix it up a bit

Definitely a game to add to your collection!

Totally stupid, addictive fun for any age.
WOW is this a great game. Getting the hang of it is fairly easy; mastering it is hard, and both the music and the insane little eyeball graphics are crazy fun.

Pata-pata-pata-PON! This is the game that will make you sneak your PSP to work so that you can play it in the john during your coffee break.