Taiko No Tatsujin's Latency Problem: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners

Ever felt like you nailed that drum hit perfectly, only to see a "Good" or even "Miss" pop up on screen? Welcome to the frustrating world of input lag—the silent killer of rhythm games. Over at r/taikonotatsujin, latency complaints are as common as memes about failing "The Intense Voice of Hatsune Miku." But fear not! This guide will break down why latency happens and how to fix it like a pro.

Why Your Drum Hits Feel "Off" – The 2 Culprits

1. Display Lag: The Sneakiest Enemy

Your TV/monitor doesn’t show changes instantly. While gaming monitors can be near-instant (1-5ms), most TVs add 30-100ms of delay—enough to ruin your combo.

"Switched from my living room TV to a gaming monitor, and suddenly I could FC songs I’d been struggling with for months." – u/TaikoPro2023

2. Audio Delay: The Worst Immersion Killer

Bluetooth headphones? Big mistake. They often introduce 100-200ms of lag, making hits feel wildly out of sync.

 

Gaming Displays  – By the Numbers

The "Safe Zones" for Rhythm Games

  1. Pro Level: ≤10ms (esports monitors)
  2. Playable: 10-30ms (decent for casual play)
  3. Unplayable: >30ms (time to upgrade)

TVs vs. Monitors – The Hard Truth

Device Type Avg. Lag (Game Mode) Budget Pick
Gaming Monitor 1-5ms ASUS TUF VG259QM
Mid-Range Monitor 5-10ms LG 27GL850
OLED TV 5-15ms LG C2
Regular TV 30-100ms (Most living room TVs)

Source: RTINGS.com testing

Quick Fixes for Beginners

Step 1: Fix Your Screen

✔ If using a TV:

  • Enable "Game Mode" (cuts lag by 50%+)
  • Settings → Picture → Game Mode

✔ No Game Mode? Check your TV’s input lag here.

  • >30ms? Switch to a monitor ASAP.

Step 2: Ditch Bluetooth Audio

  • Use wired headphones or your display’s audio out.
  • PC players: Install ASIO4ALL (reduces audio lag to <10ms).

Step 3: Calibrate In-Game

  1. Go to Settings → Timing Adjustment.
  2. Fix audio sync first, then adjust input lag.
  3. Test with slow, steady songs ("Natsumatsuri" works great).

Final Advice: 

  1. TV users: Always use Game Mode. No Game Mode? Your TV probably sucks for rhythm games—get a monitor.
  2. Monitor specs matter: Aim for ≤10ms delay. Check RTINGS before buying.
  3. Calibration order:

Fix display/audio first → then tweak in-game settings.

Latency fixes are a grind, but follow these steps, and you’ll be hitting those "Perfects" like a machine. Now go flex those FCs! 🥁