Another digital-only game is about to vanish from storefronts. Bandai Namco Entertainment has confirmed that Taiko no Tatsujin: The Drum Master—a 2022 Xbox-exclusive rhythm title—will be delisted from the Xbox Store on September 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM. With no physical edition ever released, this means players have less than two months to secure their copy before it’s gone indefinitely.
Xbox’s First and Only Taiko Exclusive
Originally released on January 27, 2022, The Drum Master was the first Taiko no Tatsujin game exclusive to Xbox platforms, even joining Xbox Game Pass at launch. The game featured over 70 rhythm-based tracks and allowed players to drum along with iconic characters and mascots from the long-running franchise. However, it was removed from Game Pass in 2023, and now its complete delisting marks the end of its availability—with no official reason given by Bandai Namco.
The title stood out as a unique addition to the series, which has been a fan-favorite in arcades and on various consoles since the early 2000s. Sadly, this chapter of the franchise is coming to a close in a way that’s becoming all too familiar.
No Physical Release, No Alternatives
With no physical version ever produced, Taiko no Tatsujin: The Drum Master is a textbook example of the growing digital preservation problem. Once delisted, there will be no legal way to purchase the game, leaving it locked behind accounts that already own it. While existing owners will still be able to redownload the game and any purchased DLC, new players will be out of luck.
Adding to the frustration is the fact that downloadable content packs will remain available, even after the base game is gone—creating a fragmented situation where the full game experience is no longer accessible for newcomers.
One of Many Games Disappearing
The delisting of The Drum Master continues a trend that’s becoming increasingly common in the industry: digital-only games being quietly removed, often with minimal notice or explanation. As more titles go digital-only, the issue of preservation grows larger, especially for unique or platform-specific releases like this one. With the Xbox Store losing this title, players are left once again wondering how long their favorite games will remain accessible.
Looking Forward (or Elsewhere)
Bandai Namco has since released Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival, which is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and Steam, offering a new rhythm experience for fans to dive into. Still, The Drum Master held a special place as the franchise’s Xbox debut, and its removal marks the end of a notable era for rhythm game fans on the platform.
For now, those interested in owning Taiko no Tatsujin: The Drum Master can still purchase it for $49.99 on the Xbox Store until September 30. After that, it becomes one more game added to the ever-growing list of digital-only titles lost to time.
