In Patapon, the player takes the role of a deity worshipped by an anthropomorphic eye-ball army known as Patapons.[1] The Patapon village serves as the main hub, allowing the player to revive fallen troops, select missions, and play minigames.[1] Before each mission, the player can choose up to three different units for battle with the banner-wielding Hatapon as the leader of the units.[2] There are eight possible units to choose from: The shield and sword-wielding Tatepons, the spear-wielding Yaripons, the bow and arrow-wielding Yumipons, the cavalry lance-wielding Kibapons, the heavy club-wielding Dekapons, bird-riding Toripons, magic-wielding Mahopons, and Tuba-wielding Megapons.[3] Each unit can have a maximum of three or six troops depending on the type of Patapon.[2]
During missions, the player can command the Patapons by inputting specific sequences using the face buttons on the PSP, each representing a drum. These sequences can command the tribe to move forward, attack, defend, and other actions. A pulsating border signals the player at what rhythm to input the commands.[4] Successfully entering a proper sequence in sync with the rhythm will lead the tribe into a "Fever" increasing their attack and defensive bonuses. Fever can be accomplished by maintaining a combination of 10, or achieved early if a combination is 3 or higher and the command was performed perfectly in sync.[1] If the player ceases to command the Patapons or inputs the commands off-beat of the border's rhythm, the combo and fever will be lost.[5][6] During fever, Miracles can be performed that affect the weather. Examples include summoning rain to cool a scorching desert or summoning strong winds assisting in the range of the Yumipons' arrows.[6][7]
Once a mission is complete, the player can return to an earlier mission to acquire additional resources and equipment to build up their troops before a larger battle.[1] Materials, weapons, armour, and a currency known as "Ka-ching" can be gained by fallen enemies to fortify the player's troops. If a Patapon is defeated in battle, it will drop a cap that can be used to revive the Patapon once the mission is completed. If the cap is not retrieved during the mission, the Patapon is permanently lost.[1] New Patapons can be created in the Patapon village using the tree of life and requires Ka-ching and materials such as sticks, stones, and branches. Using rarer versions of those materials creates stronger variants of the Patapons.[1][6]
