diff --git a/osu.Desktop.VisualTests/Tests/TestCaseTaikoPlayfield.cs b/osu.Desktop.VisualTests/Tests/TestCaseTaikoPlayfield.cs
index 88a037afee..a8e4382ebb 100644
--- a/osu.Desktop.VisualTests/Tests/TestCaseTaikoPlayfield.cs
+++ b/osu.Desktop.VisualTests/Tests/TestCaseTaikoPlayfield.cs
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 // Copyright (c) 2007-2017 ppy Pty Ltd <contact@ppy.sh>.
 // Licensed under the MIT Licence - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ppy/osu/master/LICENCE
 
+using OpenTK;
 using osu.Framework.Graphics;
 using osu.Framework.Graphics.Containers;
 using osu.Framework.MathUtils;
@@ -11,20 +12,21 @@ using osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.Judgements;
 using osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.Objects;
 using osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.Objects.Drawables;
 using osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.UI;
+using System;
 
 namespace osu.Desktop.VisualTests.Tests
 {
     internal class TestCaseTaikoPlayfield : TestCase
     {
-        public override string Description => "Taiko playfield";
+        private const double default_duration = 300;
+        private const float scroll_time = 1000;
 
-        private TaikoPlayfield playfield;
+        public override string Description => "Taiko playfield";
 
         protected override double TimePerAction => default_duration * 2;
 
-        private const double default_duration = 300;
-
-        private const float scroll_time = 1000;
+        private readonly Random rng = new Random(1337);
+        private TaikoPlayfield playfield;
 
         public override void Reset()
         {
@@ -41,7 +43,11 @@ namespace osu.Desktop.VisualTests.Tests
             AddStep("Strong Rim", () => addRimHit(true));
             AddStep("Add bar line", () => addBarLine(false));
             AddStep("Add major bar line", () => addBarLine(true));
-
+            AddStep("Height test 1", () => changePlayfieldSize(1));
+            AddStep("Height test 2", () => changePlayfieldSize(2));
+            AddStep("Height test 3", () => changePlayfieldSize(3));
+            AddStep("Height test 4", () => changePlayfieldSize(4));
+            AddStep("Height test 5", () => changePlayfieldSize(5));
 
             var rateAdjustClock = new StopwatchClock(true) { Rate = 1 };
 
@@ -57,21 +63,53 @@ namespace osu.Desktop.VisualTests.Tests
             });
         }
 
+        private void changePlayfieldSize(int step)
+        {
+            switch (step)
+            {
+                case 1:
+                    addCentreHit(false);
+                    break;
+                case 2:
+                    addCentreHit(true);
+                    break;
+                case 3:
+                    addDrumRoll(false);
+                    break;
+                case 4:
+                    addDrumRoll(true);
+                    break;
+                case 5:
+                    addSwell(1000);
+                    playfield.Delay(scroll_time - 100);
+                    break;
+            }
+
+            playfield.ResizeTo(new Vector2(1, rng.Next(25, 400)), 500);
+        }
+
         private void addHitJudgement()
         {
             TaikoHitResult hitResult = RNG.Next(2) == 0 ? TaikoHitResult.Good : TaikoHitResult.Great;
 
-            playfield.OnJudgement(new DrawableTestHit(new Hit())
+            var h = new DrawableTestHit(new Hit())
             {
                 X = RNG.NextSingle(hitResult == TaikoHitResult.Good ? -0.1f : -0.05f, hitResult == TaikoHitResult.Good ? 0.1f : 0.05f),
                 Judgement = new TaikoJudgement
                 {
                     Result = HitResult.Hit,
                     TaikoResult = hitResult,
-                    TimeOffset = 0,
-                    SecondHit = RNG.Next(10) == 0
+                    TimeOffset = 0
                 }
-            });
+            };
+
+            playfield.OnJudgement(h);
+
+            if (RNG.Next(10) == 0)
+            {
+                h.Judgement.SecondHit = true;
+                playfield.OnJudgement(h);
+            }
         }
 
         private void addMissJudgement()
diff --git a/osu.Game.Modes.Catch/UI/CatchPlayfield.cs b/osu.Game.Modes.Catch/UI/CatchPlayfield.cs
index cf1a665470..f8792a7fd5 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Modes.Catch/UI/CatchPlayfield.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Modes.Catch/UI/CatchPlayfield.cs
@@ -14,8 +14,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.Catch.UI
     {
         public CatchPlayfield()
         {
-            RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Y;
-            Size = new Vector2(512, 0.9f);
+            Size = new Vector2(1, 0.9f);
             Anchor = Anchor.BottomCentre;
             Origin = Anchor.BottomCentre;
 
diff --git a/osu.Game.Modes.Mania/UI/ManiaPlayfield.cs b/osu.Game.Modes.Mania/UI/ManiaPlayfield.cs
index 670d18f71f..deb4ebac25 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Modes.Mania/UI/ManiaPlayfield.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Modes.Mania/UI/ManiaPlayfield.cs
@@ -15,8 +15,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.Mania.UI
     {
         public ManiaPlayfield(int columns)
         {
-            RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Both;
-            Size = new Vector2(columns / 20f, 1f);
+            Size = new Vector2(0.8f, 1f);
             Anchor = Anchor.BottomCentre;
             Origin = Anchor.BottomCentre;
 
diff --git a/osu.Game.Modes.Osu/UI/OsuHitRenderer.cs b/osu.Game.Modes.Osu/UI/OsuHitRenderer.cs
index ca9ff6fc61..7e314c5ba1 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Modes.Osu/UI/OsuHitRenderer.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Modes.Osu/UI/OsuHitRenderer.cs
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 // Copyright (c) 2007-2017 ppy Pty Ltd <contact@ppy.sh>.
 // Licensed under the MIT Licence - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ppy/osu/master/LICENCE
 
+using OpenTK;
 using osu.Game.Beatmaps;
 using osu.Game.Modes.Objects.Drawables;
 using osu.Game.Modes.Osu.Beatmaps;
@@ -46,5 +47,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.Osu.UI
                 return new DrawableSpinner(spinner);
             return null;
         }
+
+        protected override Vector2 GetPlayfieldAspectAdjust() => new Vector2(0.75f);
     }
 }
diff --git a/osu.Game.Modes.Osu/UI/OsuPlayfield.cs b/osu.Game.Modes.Osu/UI/OsuPlayfield.cs
index d89bbfd131..4164607b4d 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Modes.Osu/UI/OsuPlayfield.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Modes.Osu/UI/OsuPlayfield.cs
@@ -38,8 +38,6 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.Osu.UI
         {
             Anchor = Anchor.Centre;
             Origin = Anchor.Centre;
-            RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Both;
-            Size = new Vector2(0.75f);
 
             Add(new Drawable[]
             {
diff --git a/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/Objects/Drawables/DrawableSwell.cs b/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/Objects/Drawables/DrawableSwell.cs
index e1a590a025..1e440df69a 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/Objects/Drawables/DrawableSwell.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/Objects/Drawables/DrawableSwell.cs
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.Objects.Drawables
                             Anchor = Anchor.Centre,
                             Origin = Anchor.Centre,
                             Alpha = 0,
-                            Size = new Vector2(TaikoHitObject.CIRCLE_RADIUS * 2),
+                            Size = new Vector2(TaikoHitObject.DEFAULT_CIRCLE_DIAMETER),
                             BlendingMode = BlendingMode.Additive,
                             Masking = true,
                             Children = new []
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.Objects.Drawables
                             Name = "Target ring (thick border)",
                             Anchor = Anchor.Centre,
                             Origin = Anchor.Centre,
-                            Size = new Vector2(TaikoHitObject.CIRCLE_RADIUS * 2),
+                            Size = new Vector2(TaikoHitObject.DEFAULT_CIRCLE_DIAMETER),
                             Masking = true,
                             BorderThickness = target_ring_thick_border,
                             BlendingMode = BlendingMode.Additive,
diff --git a/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/Objects/Drawables/Pieces/CirclePiece.cs b/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/Objects/Drawables/Pieces/CirclePiece.cs
index f921511e22..216e05ebc4 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/Objects/Drawables/Pieces/CirclePiece.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/Objects/Drawables/Pieces/CirclePiece.cs
@@ -19,15 +19,10 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.Objects.Drawables.Pieces
     /// </summary>
     public class CirclePiece : TaikoPiece
     {
-        public const float SYMBOL_SIZE = TaikoHitObject.CIRCLE_RADIUS * 2f * 0.45f;
+        public const float SYMBOL_SIZE = TaikoHitObject.DEFAULT_CIRCLE_DIAMETER * 0.45f;
         public const float SYMBOL_BORDER = 8;
         public const float SYMBOL_INNER_SIZE = SYMBOL_SIZE - 2 * SYMBOL_BORDER;
 
-        /// <summary>
-        /// The amount to scale up the base circle to show it as a "strong" piece.
-        /// </summary>
-        private const float strong_scale = 1.5f;
-
         /// <summary>
         /// The colour of the inner circle and outer glows.
         /// </summary>
@@ -129,10 +124,10 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.Objects.Drawables.Pieces
 
             if (isStrong)
             {
-                Size *= strong_scale;
+                Size *= TaikoHitObject.STRONG_CIRCLE_DIAMETER_SCALE;
 
                 //default for symbols etc.
-                Content.Scale *= strong_scale;
+                Content.Scale *= TaikoHitObject.STRONG_CIRCLE_DIAMETER_SCALE;
             }
         }
 
diff --git a/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/Objects/Drawables/Pieces/TaikoPiece.cs b/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/Objects/Drawables/Pieces/TaikoPiece.cs
index a0c8865c59..2220438a4a 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/Objects/Drawables/Pieces/TaikoPiece.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/Objects/Drawables/Pieces/TaikoPiece.cs
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.Objects.Drawables.Pieces
         public TaikoPiece()
         {
             //just a default
-            Size = new Vector2(TaikoHitObject.CIRCLE_RADIUS * 2);
+            Size = new Vector2(TaikoHitObject.DEFAULT_CIRCLE_DIAMETER);
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/Objects/Drawables/Pieces/TickPiece.cs b/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/Objects/Drawables/Pieces/TickPiece.cs
index 697102eb22..53e795e2e2 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/Objects/Drawables/Pieces/TickPiece.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/Objects/Drawables/Pieces/TickPiece.cs
@@ -15,12 +15,12 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.Objects.Drawables.Pieces
         /// Any tick that is not the first for a drumroll is not filled, but is instead displayed
         /// as a hollow circle. This is what controls the border width of that circle.
         /// </summary>
-        private const float tick_border_width = TaikoHitObject.CIRCLE_RADIUS / 2 / 4;
+        private const float tick_border_width = TaikoHitObject.DEFAULT_CIRCLE_DIAMETER / 16;
 
         /// <summary>
         /// The size of a tick.
         /// </summary>
-        private const float tick_size = TaikoHitObject.CIRCLE_RADIUS / 2;
+        private const float tick_size = TaikoHitObject.DEFAULT_CIRCLE_DIAMETER / 4;
 
         private bool filled;
         public bool Filled
diff --git a/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/Objects/TaikoHitObject.cs b/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/Objects/TaikoHitObject.cs
index 54ab8c5300..ebc9b19d3a 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/Objects/TaikoHitObject.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/Objects/TaikoHitObject.cs
@@ -4,15 +4,31 @@
 using osu.Game.Beatmaps.Timing;
 using osu.Game.Database;
 using osu.Game.Modes.Objects;
+using osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.UI;
 
 namespace osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.Objects
 {
     public abstract class TaikoHitObject : HitObject
     {
         /// <summary>
-        /// HitCircle radius.
+        /// Diameter of a circle relative to the size of the <see cref="TaikoPlayfield"/>.
         /// </summary>
-        public const float CIRCLE_RADIUS = 42f;
+        public const float PLAYFIELD_RELATIVE_DIAMETER = 0.5f;
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Scale multiplier for a strong circle.
+        /// </summary>
+        public const float STRONG_CIRCLE_DIAMETER_SCALE = 1.5f;
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Default circle diameter.
+        /// </summary>
+        public const float DEFAULT_CIRCLE_DIAMETER = TaikoPlayfield.DEFAULT_PLAYFIELD_HEIGHT * PLAYFIELD_RELATIVE_DIAMETER;
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Default strong circle diameter.
+        /// </summary>
+        public const float DEFAULT_STRONG_CIRCLE_DIAMETER = DEFAULT_CIRCLE_DIAMETER * STRONG_CIRCLE_DIAMETER_SCALE;
 
         /// <summary>
         /// The time taken from the initial (off-screen) spawn position to the centre of the hit target for a <see cref="ControlPoint.BeatLength"/> of 1000ms.
diff --git a/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/UI/HitExplosion.cs b/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/UI/HitExplosion.cs
index eb43c1a5d0..e4e329523f 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/UI/HitExplosion.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/UI/HitExplosion.cs
@@ -18,11 +18,6 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.UI
     /// </summary>
     internal class HitExplosion : CircularContainer
     {
-        /// <summary>
-        /// The size multiplier of a hit explosion if a hit object has been hit with the second key.
-        /// </summary>
-        private const float secondhit_size_multiplier = 1.5f;
-
         /// <summary>
         /// The judgement this hit explosion visualises.
         /// </summary>
@@ -34,7 +29,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.UI
         {
             Judgement = judgement;
 
-            Size = new Vector2(TaikoHitObject.CIRCLE_RADIUS * 2);
+            Size = new Vector2(TaikoHitObject.DEFAULT_CIRCLE_DIAMETER);
 
             Anchor = Anchor.Centre;
             Origin = Anchor.Centre;
@@ -85,7 +80,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.UI
         /// </summary>
         public void VisualiseSecondHit()
         {
-            ResizeTo(Size * secondhit_size_multiplier, 50);
+            ResizeTo(Size * TaikoHitObject.STRONG_CIRCLE_DIAMETER_SCALE, 50);
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/UI/HitTarget.cs b/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/UI/HitTarget.cs
index a17480628d..b22dc1d647 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/UI/HitTarget.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/UI/HitTarget.cs
@@ -15,16 +15,6 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.UI
     /// </summary>
     internal class HitTarget : Container
     {
-        /// <summary>
-        /// Diameter of normal hit object circles.
-        /// </summary>
-        private const float normal_diameter = TaikoHitObject.CIRCLE_RADIUS * 2;
-
-        /// <summary>
-        /// Diameter of strong hit object circles.
-        /// </summary>
-        private const float strong_hit_diameter = normal_diameter * 1.5f;
-
         /// <summary>
         /// The 1px inner border of the taiko playfield.
         /// </summary>
@@ -37,7 +27,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.UI
 
         public HitTarget()
         {
-            RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Y;
+            Size = new Vector2(TaikoPlayfield.DEFAULT_PLAYFIELD_HEIGHT);
 
             Children = new Drawable[]
             {
@@ -47,7 +37,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.UI
                     Anchor = Anchor.TopCentre,
                     Origin = Anchor.TopCentre,
                     Y = border_offset,
-                    Size = new Vector2(border_thickness, (TaikoPlayfield.PLAYFIELD_HEIGHT - strong_hit_diameter) / 2f - border_offset),
+                    Size = new Vector2(border_thickness, (TaikoPlayfield.DEFAULT_PLAYFIELD_HEIGHT - TaikoHitObject.DEFAULT_STRONG_CIRCLE_DIAMETER) / 2f - border_offset),
                     Alpha = 0.1f
                 },
                 new CircularContainer
@@ -55,7 +45,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.UI
                     Name = "Strong Hit Ring",
                     Anchor = Anchor.Centre,
                     Origin = Anchor.Centre,
-                    Size = new Vector2(strong_hit_diameter),
+                    Size = new Vector2(TaikoHitObject.DEFAULT_STRONG_CIRCLE_DIAMETER),
                     Masking = true,
                     BorderColour = Color4.White,
                     BorderThickness = border_thickness,
@@ -75,7 +65,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.UI
                     Name = "Normal Hit Ring",
                     Anchor = Anchor.Centre,
                     Origin = Anchor.Centre,
-                    Size = new Vector2(normal_diameter),
+                    Size = new Vector2(TaikoHitObject.DEFAULT_CIRCLE_DIAMETER),
                     Masking = true,
                     BorderColour = Color4.White,
                     BorderThickness = border_thickness,
@@ -96,7 +86,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.UI
                     Anchor = Anchor.BottomCentre,
                     Origin = Anchor.BottomCentre,
                     Y = -border_offset,
-                    Size = new Vector2(border_thickness, (TaikoPlayfield.PLAYFIELD_HEIGHT - strong_hit_diameter) / 2f - border_offset),
+                    Size = new Vector2(border_thickness, (TaikoPlayfield.DEFAULT_PLAYFIELD_HEIGHT - TaikoHitObject.DEFAULT_STRONG_CIRCLE_DIAMETER) / 2f - border_offset),
                     Alpha = 0.1f
                 },
             };
diff --git a/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/UI/InputDrum.cs b/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/UI/InputDrum.cs
index 0c1e1105cb..d238c38e74 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/UI/InputDrum.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/UI/InputDrum.cs
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.UI
     {
         public InputDrum()
         {
-            Size = new Vector2(TaikoPlayfield.PLAYFIELD_HEIGHT);
+            Size = new Vector2(TaikoPlayfield.DEFAULT_PLAYFIELD_HEIGHT);
 
             const float middle_split = 10;
 
diff --git a/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/UI/TaikoHitRenderer.cs b/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/UI/TaikoHitRenderer.cs
index 29fa693d58..32476dff7f 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/UI/TaikoHitRenderer.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/UI/TaikoHitRenderer.cs
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ using osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.Objects.Drawables;
 using osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.Scoring;
 using osu.Game.Modes.UI;
 using osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.Replays;
+using OpenTK;
 
 namespace osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.UI
 {
@@ -100,6 +101,17 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.UI
             }
         }
 
+        protected override Vector2 GetPlayfieldAspectAdjust()
+        {
+            const float default_relative_height = TaikoPlayfield.DEFAULT_PLAYFIELD_HEIGHT / 768;
+            const float default_aspect = 16f / 9f;
+
+            float aspectAdjust = MathHelper.Clamp(DrawWidth / DrawHeight, 0.4f, 4) / default_aspect;
+
+            return new Vector2(1, default_relative_height * aspectAdjust);
+        }
+
+
         public override ScoreProcessor CreateScoreProcessor() => new TaikoScoreProcessor(this);
 
         protected override IBeatmapConverter<TaikoHitObject> CreateBeatmapConverter() => new TaikoBeatmapConverter();
diff --git a/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/UI/TaikoPlayfield.cs b/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/UI/TaikoPlayfield.cs
index 9e7eb571a1..db3a1bc84e 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/UI/TaikoPlayfield.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Modes.Taiko/UI/TaikoPlayfield.cs
@@ -16,21 +16,21 @@ using osu.Framework.Extensions.Color4Extensions;
 using osu.Framework.Graphics.Primitives;
 using System.Linq;
 using osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.Objects.Drawables;
+using System;
 
 namespace osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.UI
 {
     public class TaikoPlayfield : Playfield<TaikoHitObject, TaikoJudgement>
     {
         /// <summary>
-        /// The play field height. This is relative to the size of hit objects
-        /// such that the playfield is just a bit larger than strong hits.
+        /// The default play field height.
         /// </summary>
-        public const float PLAYFIELD_HEIGHT = TaikoHitObject.CIRCLE_RADIUS * 2 * 2;
+        public const float DEFAULT_PLAYFIELD_HEIGHT = 168f;
 
         /// <summary>
         /// The offset from <see cref="left_area_size"/> which the center of the hit target lies at.
         /// </summary>
-        private const float hit_target_offset = TaikoHitObject.CIRCLE_RADIUS * 1.5f + 40;
+        private const float hit_target_offset = TaikoHitObject.DEFAULT_STRONG_CIRCLE_DIAMETER / 2f + 40;
 
         /// <summary>
         /// The size of the left area of the playfield. This area contains the input drum.
@@ -52,13 +52,11 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.UI
 
         public TaikoPlayfield()
         {
-            RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.X;
-            Height = PLAYFIELD_HEIGHT;
-
             AddInternal(new Drawable[]
             {
                 rightBackgroundContainer = new Container
                 {
+                    Name = "Transparent playfield background",
                     RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Both,
                     BorderThickness = 2,
                     Masking = true,
@@ -77,76 +75,88 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.UI
                         },
                     }
                 },
-                new Container
+                new ScaleFixContainer
                 {
-                    RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Both,
-                    Padding = new MarginPadding { Left = left_area_size },
-                    Children = new Drawable[]
+                    RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.X,
+                    Height = DEFAULT_PLAYFIELD_HEIGHT,
+                    Children = new[]
                     {
                         new Container
                         {
-                            X = hit_target_offset,
+                            Name = "Transparent playfield elements",
                             RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Both,
+                            Padding = new MarginPadding { Left = left_area_size },
                             Children = new Drawable[]
                             {
-                                hitExplosionContainer = new Container<HitExplosion>
+                                new Container
                                 {
-                                    Anchor = Anchor.CentreLeft,
+                                    Name = "Hit target container",
+                                    X = hit_target_offset,
+                                    RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Both,
+                                    Children = new Drawable[]
+                                    {
+                                        hitExplosionContainer = new Container<HitExplosion>
+                                        {
+                                            Anchor = Anchor.CentreLeft,
+                                            Origin = Anchor.Centre,
+                                            RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Y,
+                                            BlendingMode = BlendingMode.Additive
+                                        },
+                                        barLineContainer = new Container<DrawableBarLine>
+                                        {
+                                            RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Both,
+                                        },
+                                        new HitTarget
+                                        {
+                                            Anchor = Anchor.CentreLeft,
+                                            Origin = Anchor.Centre,
+                                        },
+                                        hitObjectContainer = new Container
+                                        {
+                                            RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Both,
+                                        },
+                                        judgementContainer = new Container<DrawableTaikoJudgement>
+                                        {
+                                            RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Y,
+                                            BlendingMode = BlendingMode.Additive
+                                        },
+                                    },
+                                },
+                            }
+                        },
+                        leftBackgroundContainer = new Container
+                        {
+                            Name = "Left overlay",
+                            Size = new Vector2(left_area_size, DEFAULT_PLAYFIELD_HEIGHT),
+                            BorderThickness = 1,
+                            Children = new Drawable[]
+                            {
+                                leftBackground = new Box
+                                {
+                                    RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Both,
+                                },
+                                new InputDrum
+                                {
+                                    Anchor = Anchor.Centre,
                                     Origin = Anchor.Centre,
-                                    Size = new Vector2(TaikoHitObject.CIRCLE_RADIUS * 2),
-                                    BlendingMode = BlendingMode.Additive
+                                    RelativePositionAxes = Axes.X,
+                                    Position = new Vector2(0.10f, 0),
+                                    Scale = new Vector2(0.9f)
                                 },
-                                barLineContainer = new Container<DrawableBarLine>
+                                new Box
                                 {
-                                    RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Both,
+                                    Anchor = Anchor.TopRight,
+                                    RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Y,
+                                    Width = 10,
+                                    ColourInfo = Framework.Graphics.Colour.ColourInfo.GradientHorizontal(Color4.Black.Opacity(0.6f), Color4.Black.Opacity(0)),
                                 },
-                                new HitTarget
-                                {
-                                    Anchor = Anchor.CentreLeft,
-                                    Origin = Anchor.Centre,
-                                },
-                                hitObjectContainer = new Container
-                                {
-                                    RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Both,
-                                },
-                                judgementContainer = new Container<DrawableTaikoJudgement>
-                                {
-                                    RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Both,
-                                    BlendingMode = BlendingMode.Additive
-                                },
-                            },
-                        },
-                    }
-                },
-                leftBackgroundContainer = new Container
-                {
-                    Size = new Vector2(left_area_size, PLAYFIELD_HEIGHT),
-                    BorderThickness = 1,
-                    Children = new Drawable[]
-                    {
-                        leftBackground = new Box
-                        {
-                            RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Both,
-                        },
-                        new InputDrum
-                        {
-                            Anchor = Anchor.Centre,
-                            Origin = Anchor.Centre,
-                            RelativePositionAxes = Axes.X,
-                            Position = new Vector2(0.10f, 0),
-                            Scale = new Vector2(0.9f)
-                        },
-                        new Box
-                        {
-                            Anchor = Anchor.TopRight,
-                            RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Y,
-                            Width = 10,
-                            ColourInfo = Framework.Graphics.Colour.ColourInfo.GradientHorizontal(Color4.Black.Opacity(0.6f), Color4.Black.Opacity(0)),
+                            }
                         },
                     }
                 },
                 topLevelHitContainer = new Container
                 {
+                    Name = "Top level hit objects",
                     RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Both,
                 }
             });
@@ -208,5 +218,56 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.Taiko.UI
             else
                 hitExplosionContainer.Children.FirstOrDefault(e => e.Judgement == judgedObject.Judgement)?.VisualiseSecondHit();
         }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// This is a very special type of container. It serves a similar purpose to <see cref="FillMode.Fit"/>, however unlike <see cref="FillMode.Fit"/>,
+        /// this will only adjust the scale relative to the height of its parent and will maintain the original width relative to its parent.
+        /// 
+        /// <para>
+        /// By adjusting the scale relative to the height of its parent, the aspect ratio of this container's children is maintained, however this is undesirable
+        /// in the case where the hit object container should not have its width adjusted by scale. To counteract this, another container is nested inside this
+        /// container which takes care of reversing the width adjustment while appearing transparent to the user.
+        /// </para>
+        /// </summary>
+        private class ScaleFixContainer : Container
+        {
+            protected override Container<Drawable> Content => widthAdjustmentContainer;
+            private readonly WidthAdjustmentContainer widthAdjustmentContainer;
+
+            /// <summary>
+            /// We only want to apply DrawScale in the Y-axis to preserve aspect ratio and <see cref="TaikoPlayfield"/> doesn't care about having its width adjusted.
+            /// </summary>
+            protected override Vector2 DrawScale => Scale * RelativeToAbsoluteFactor.Y / DrawHeight;
+
+            public ScaleFixContainer()
+            {
+                AddInternal(widthAdjustmentContainer = new WidthAdjustmentContainer { ParentDrawScaleReference = () => DrawScale.X });
+            }
+
+            /// <summary>
+            /// The container type that reverses the <see cref="Drawable.DrawScale"/> width adjustment.
+            /// </summary>
+            private class WidthAdjustmentContainer : Container
+            {
+                /// <summary>
+                /// This container needs to know its parent's <see cref="Drawable.DrawScale"/> so it can reverse the width adjustment caused by <see cref="Drawable.DrawScale"/>.
+                /// </summary>
+                public Func<float> ParentDrawScaleReference;
+
+                public WidthAdjustmentContainer()
+                {
+                    // This container doesn't care about height, it should always fill its parent
+                    RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Y;
+                }
+
+                protected override void Update()
+                {
+                    base.Update();
+
+                    // Reverse the DrawScale adjustment
+                    Width = Parent.DrawSize.X / ParentDrawScaleReference();
+                }
+            }
+        }
     }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/osu.Game/Modes/UI/HitRenderer.cs b/osu.Game/Modes/UI/HitRenderer.cs
index a958c61c68..afc525d686 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Modes/UI/HitRenderer.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Modes/UI/HitRenderer.cs
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ using System.Diagnostics;
 using System.Linq;
 using osu.Game.Modes.Replays;
 using osu.Game.Modes.Scoring;
+using OpenTK;
 
 namespace osu.Game.Modes.UI
 {
@@ -167,6 +168,11 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.UI
     {
         public event Action<TJudgement> OnJudgement;
 
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Whether to apply adjustments to the child <see cref="Playfield{TObject,TJudgement}"/> based on our own size.
+        /// </summary>
+        public bool AspectAdjust = true;
+
         public sealed override bool ProvidingUserCursor => !HasReplayLoaded && Playfield.ProvidingUserCursor;
 
         protected override Container<Drawable> Content => content;
@@ -219,6 +225,19 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.UI
             Playfield.PostProcess();
         }
 
+        protected override void Update()
+        {
+            base.Update();
+
+            Playfield.Size = AspectAdjust ? GetPlayfieldAspectAdjust() : Vector2.One;
+        }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// In some cases we want to apply changes to the relative size of our contained <see cref="Playfield{TObject, TJudgement}"/> based on custom conditions.
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <returns></returns>
+        protected virtual Vector2 GetPlayfieldAspectAdjust() => new Vector2(0.75f); //a sane default
+
         /// <summary>
         /// Triggered when an object's Judgement is updated.
         /// </summary>
diff --git a/osu.Game/Modes/UI/Playfield.cs b/osu.Game/Modes/UI/Playfield.cs
index f31ee0f189..bf5f0acde5 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Modes/UI/Playfield.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Modes/UI/Playfield.cs
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 // Copyright (c) 2007-2017 ppy Pty Ltd <contact@ppy.sh>.
 // Licensed under the MIT Licence - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ppy/osu/master/LICENCE
 
+using System;
 using osu.Framework.Graphics;
 using osu.Framework.Graphics.Containers;
 using osu.Game.Modes.Objects;
@@ -63,6 +64,12 @@ namespace osu.Game.Modes.UI
             Add(HitObjects);
         }
 
+        public override Axes RelativeSizeAxes
+        {
+            get { return Axes.Both; }
+            set { throw new InvalidOperationException($@"{nameof(Playfield<TObject, TJudgement>)}'s {nameof(RelativeSizeAxes)} should never be changed from {Axes.Both}"); }
+        }
+
         /// <summary>
         /// Performs post-processing tasks (if any) after all DrawableHitObjects are loaded into this Playfield.
         /// </summary>