RATATAN

RATATAN combines rhythm commands, side-scrolling action and replayable roguelike runs. The player leads a Ratatan and gives commands to a larger following, the Cobuns, through inputs timed to the music. At the same time, the player moves their own character freely and decides when the squad should advance, hold its position or retreat.

The game comes from Ratata Arts and TVT Co. Ltd., and is published by Game Source Entertainment. It uses lively two-dimensional cartoon graphics. Behind the eye-catching style is a tactical game: good timing alone is not enough if your fighters are poorly positioned or a retreat comes too late.

RATATAN launched on Oct 15, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2. The PC version already launched in Early Access on Sep 18, 2025 and received Version 1.0 in Oct 2026. The US Nintendo eShop and Steam list Oct 14 as the release date.

The console versions were originally planned for July 2026. Ratata Arts and Game Source Entertainment postponed the launch to improve the online mode and stability.

RATATAN launched natively for Windows PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2. All four versions support single-player and online co-op for up to four people.

Online play on Nintendo Switch 2 requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Cross-platform play is not guaranteed by this.

The main controls work through rhythmic inputs. With short sequences of notes, the Ratatan gives the Cobuns instructions, while hundreds of small units can be in motion on screen. Meanwhile, you can position your own character directly. The key is to find the right moment for commands and to react in time to enemies, distances and dangerous situations.

RATATAN combines this system with varied roguelike runs. New attempts lead through battles, events and boss encounters; different characters, weapons and abilities change the tactical options. Success therefore depends on both your sense of rhythm and on how you choose and develop your followers.

Steam lists Windows 10 (64-bit) as the minimum requirement, a dual-core processor at 2.4 GHz, 8 GB RAM, a GeForce GTX 950, Radeon R7 360 or Intel HD Graphics 630, and 10 GB of free storage. Recommended are Windows 11, a quad-core processor at 2.4 GHz, 16 GB RAM, and a GeForce RTX 2060, Radeon RX 5600 XT or Intel Arc A580.

Online co-op sessions require a broadband internet connection. Online co-op also requires a suitable NAT configuration, such as an open or moderate NAT type. The listed system requirements apply to the Windows version.

New equipment, characters and abilities change how each expedition unfolds. The makeup of your squad determines how the Cobuns fight enemies and cope with changing situations.

RATATAN offers several game worlds, different Ratatans and boss fights. Version 1.0 adds the closing episodes and the final battle of the main story.

The story begins in Rataport, an island inhabited by unusual, music-loving beings. The Ratatans set out to reach the place Everafter and meet a goddess believed to be there. This provides the framework for their repeated expeditions and their journey through several worlds.

Version 1.0 adds episodes three and four, the final area and the closing boss fight. This lets you play the main story through to the end.

RATATAN received story episodes three and four, a final area and the final boss fight with Version 1.0. All Dark Ratatans are now part of the game. New orchestral music expands the soundtrack.

The core of the game system works without other players: in solo mode, one person controls the rhythmic commands and the positioning of a Ratatan character. Online co-op expands the expedition to up to four players, so several leaders and their followers can act at the same time.

This can make large battles more complex and tactically varied, but it also requires stable network operation. The publisher has explicitly named the additional optimisation of online mode as a reason for releasing Version 1.0 only in Oct 2026. Cross-platform player matchmaking is not advertised as a feature.

The music drives the combat directly: command inputs and rhythm are not mere background accompaniment. The two-dimensional animation clearly separates the many small characters and their movements. According to the publisher, additional pieces were recorded with orchestra for the full version.

On Steam, German menus and subtitles are listed. Other supported languages include English, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Chinese character variants. Full German voice acting is not listed there. On consoles, the language selection may differ.

Behind RATATAN are Ratata Arts and TVT Co. Ltd.; Game Source Entertainment acts as international publisher. The project was shaped by a Kickstarter campaign and subsequent community feedback. After the PC early access in September 2025, the team used player feedback for changes to gameplay flow, controls and stability, among other things.

The developers described the longer production path and the parallel preparation of the console versions as a challenge. For this reason, the full release was moved from the originally planned July date to Oct 15, 2026. The PC early access began in 2025, while the full version and the native console versions were released in October 2026.