Patapon demo hits Japanese PS Store

by Andrew Yoon { Feb 7th 2008 at 12:30AM }

Those of you lucky enough to have a Japanese PLAYSTATION Network ID will be able to jump onto the PLAYSTATION Store (via PC or PS3) and download the brand new Patapon demo. However, be warned! This quirky game is best played when fully understood. Europe will be getting an English-language downloadable demo in the future, and Americans can pick up a UMD demo when pre-ordering the game at GameStop.

[Thanks, Sean!]

Tags: demo, patapon, store

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Hashbrown_Hunter @ Feb 7th 2008 1:35AM

Still pissed over pre-order thing, but I think I'll try out the Japanese version...just for kicks.

Brello @ Feb 7th 2008 12:53PM

Yeah I agree, it's even more of a bummer when you don't have any Gamestops around. Here's hoping this doesn't start a trend.

Jay @ Feb 7th 2008 1:37AM

I will be pre=ordering this game but the demo is cool to try from Japan. Why did the US get the in-store demo. I guess Sony threw Gamestop a bone to make up for PixelJunk and other online only games.

Noshino @ Feb 7th 2008 1:53AM

or maybe they paid for the exclusive rights of the distribution of the demo? a practice of which I have never heard before but by any means not impossible....

B1gC72 - PSN: KillaKornbread @ Feb 7th 2008 3:19PM

this happens with Gamestop every now and then. i remember i got a demo when i pre-ordered Ratchet & Clank: ToD from there. i think that was exclusive cause i even got a special message from Captain Quark when they called to tell me it was there to pick up. i hope this doesnt become a trend though cause demos are for people to find out if they even want a game, where as someone that was willing to pre-order a game has pretty much already decided they want it.

Iddy @ Feb 7th 2008 2:17AM

omg, just downloaded it.. **** yea!
.. this is a fantastic game! im blown away!! lol
im having so much fun! who wouldve thought something so simple could be, as everyone's been saying, so much fun! .. its always the way

Iddy @ Feb 7th 2008 2:18AM

why do i always double post..?

Iddy @ Feb 7th 2008 2:17AM

Alien @ Feb 7th 2008 6:04AM

Cool , now where is our EU demo ?

VR @ Feb 7th 2008 7:07AM

21st February, just search...

gabe @ Feb 7th 2008 8:08AM

and how might we be able to get the demo in Canada?
there's no Gamestops here :(

Robert @ Feb 7th 2008 8:08AM

I haven't had any luck getting my hands on a Patapon demo. I've called my local GameStop 4-5 times since the announcement to no avail.

gabe @ Feb 7th 2008 8:21AM

Any way for us to get the demo in Canada?
There's no Gamestops here, only EB games :(

reson8er @ Feb 7th 2008 9:39AM

@ Robert

Same here, I live in NYC too, you'd think it'd be available here :/

@gabe

EB Games and Gamestop are the same company, though I'm not sure if the pre-order "bonus" extends to Canada too.

Rivithed @ Feb 7th 2008 10:11AM

It most likely will be available next week at GameStop. A posting at the Playstation Blog said the demo UMDs delayed in getting out to GameStop retail stores.

Brian @ Feb 7th 2008 10:18AM

ah come on that blows japan and euro store get demo but U.S. dnt. Hate having to use those crooks at gamestop. Come on Sony put the demo out in US store.

Martin @ Feb 7th 2008 10:44AM

I've almost given up on getting a pre-order demo here in MN, which is really disappointing, as this is one of the most anticipated games this year for me.

aaron_k7 @ Feb 7th 2008 11:05AM

I called Gamestop last night (2/6), and they said that they expect the demo discs within a week. Hopefully the demo discs come in before the mothereffin game!

nomad @ Feb 7th 2008 12:29PM

i guess sony gave up on mailing us the psp demo's anymore. well so far gs still doe'nt have them as of thursday the 7th of feb,oh well maybe tomorrow.

Sobewan @ Feb 7th 2008 2:10PM

look guys, i dont know about you, but i pre-ordered patapon and i'm playing the demo right now. To be honest, i just beat it and It is short, BUT, it took me 3 hours to beat. I was the first one i know for sure to get it cause i've been begging game spot everyday before and after work to get it. and today they got a shipment in and i got it!!!!!!!!!!!!

nomad @ Feb 7th 2008 2:39PM

where you at?

B1gC72 - PSN: KillaKornbread @ Feb 7th 2008 3:21PM

ill just wait til it hits the EU store since i never made a JP account (considering i cant read Japanese). i havent used my EU account since the Folklore demo since they seem to get everything after the states now lol.

matsam @ Feb 7th 2008 4:24PM

I just created a Japanese PS store account and uploaded this sweet demo, I can't read a single word of japanese and I could create an account and beat the demo in a matter of minutes, it's really simple. Can't wait for the full game!

AUStin @ Feb 7th 2008 4:30PM

WOOHHOOO US store got updated early w/ harvey birdman demo and go puzzle and puzzle guzzle demo!!!!!!!!!!

EndGamE @ Feb 11th 2008 5:36PM

i just got my demo today, and right now, i have my spear of protection. wow, this game is amazing. i am super excited to get the full version soon.

the timing of the buttons is very precise. if you miss it only slightly, you'll have to start your phrase again. the four notes are represented on the face buttons as pata (square), pon (circle), and chaka (triangle); don (x) is not in the demo. in the demo, three phrases were introduced:
pata-pata-pata-pon - move forward
pon-pon-pata-pon - move backward
chaka-chaka-pata-pon - defend

there are a few levels. the first one has you walking to the end of the level, trying to run away from a monster. the second level has you foraging for food, which you will have to do often to keep your troops well fed. in other words, getting food gives you the ability to get more patapons.

a few different types of patapons were introduced in the demo. some wield spears, some with axes, and some with bows and arrows. you can also get help with a few legendary characters, who leave their memories. through these memories, you can birth your own patapons to do what you need.

the game is very immersive. you sort of feel like their god, because that's the role you play. it's very neat. call your nearest gamestop and see if they have the demo in stock. if so, go pre-order the game. i do not doubt that this will be a fast ticket to get, because of the $19.99 price tag. go get it. you won't regret it!

rockinaway247 @ Feb 12th 2008 7:36PM

could somebody give a link to a direct download to the Japanease demo or just the American game save for the spear of protection
(i pre-ordered patapon online.)