20 Rhythm Games Everyone Should Play at Least Once

Long, long ago, well before the Internet became ubiquitous and print media was all but dead, gamers used to buy video game magazines. One of the best of the bunch was the Official US PlayStation Magazine. Aside from its exclusive coverage of upcoming PlayStation titles, the Official US PlayStation Magazine‘s greatest selling point was its monthly demo disc. The very first issue of the magazine, the October 1997 edition, came packaged with a demo disc featuring an assortment of games, but one would end up standing out above the rest. This game was none other than a little title from Japanese developer NanaOn-Sha and Sony itself known as PaRappa the Rapper. We might not have realized it at the time, but those of us who played and found ourselves hooked on that demo were witnessing the birth of modern rhythm games.

The undeniable charm and infectious music of PaRappa the Rapper would give way to a flood of other games utilizing music and rhythm as core components of their gameplay. Of course, rhythm games were already majorly popular in Japanese arcades thanks to games like Beatmania, but the widespread success and acclaim of PaRappa the Rapper signaled loud and clear that rhythm games could have cross-cultural appeal. Just two years later, Konami would blow the doors off the rhythm game scene with what’s arguably the first rhythm game to become a cultural phenomenon: Dance Dance Revolution. And while the genre continues to evolve and branch out into several other genres (including first-person shooters and dungeon-crawling RPGs), Dance Dance Revolution set the stage for a slew of rhythm games immersing players through specialized plastic peripherals.

Dance Dance Revolution (Series)

• Release Date — November 18, 1998
• Publisher — Konami
• Developer — Konami, Bemani
• First Game in Series — Dance Dance Revolution (Arcade, 1998)
• Most Recent Game in Series — Dance Dance Revolution World (Arcade, 2024)
• Platforms — Arcade, Dreamcast, Game Boy Color, GameCube, Mobile, Nintendo 64, PC, PlayStation, PS2, PS3, Wii, Xbox, Xbox 360

Long before “viral” sensations were even a thing, Dance Dance Revolution took hold of the gaming zeitgeist unlike anything before it. In arcades worldwide, people couldn’t get enough of Konami’s real-life dancing video game, with the title’s popularity proving to be as rampant in the West as it was in its native Japan. Accordingly, it didn’t take long for console ports of Konami’s arcade hit to arrive, with the earliest being the PS1 version. The “controller” for the game, a pad with different sections featuring arrows and colors, would also come with home releases of DDR as part of a bundle, establishing a trend among rhythm games to have specialized controllers that emulate real-world movements. However, unlike most of the games it inspired, Dance Dance Revolution is still going strong, with the most recent arcade cabinet arriving earlier this year.

Elite Beat Agents

• Release Date — November 6, 2006
• Publisher — Nintendo
• Developer — iNiS
• Review Aggregate Score — 87% (Generally Favorable)
• Platforms — Nintendo DS

Developer iNiS (now known as Liona Interactive) would be the brains behind several major hits in the rhythm game genre, including the popular karaoke series Lips and its many offshoots. However, long before those games, the studio would produce two of the better “pre-Guitar Hero” rhythm games with 2001’s Gitaroo Man and 2006’s Elite Beat Agents. The more quirky of the two is definitely Elite Beat Agents, which mixes rhythm gameplay with a hilarious and offbeat visual novel starring the titular law enforcement team. Elite Beat Agents lives on as a cult classic within the DS library thanks to its excellent music, humor, charm, and unconventional genre mixing.

Patapon

• Release Date — December 20, 2007
• Publisher — Sony Computer Entertainment
• Developer — Pyramid, Japan Studio
• Review Aggregate Score — 86% (Generally Favorable)
• Platforms — PlayStation 4, PSP

Another first-party rhythm game from Sony, Patapon is wholly different from PaRappa the Rapper. Rather than controlling a young rapping dog during a charming coming-of-age tale, Patapon tasks players with being an invisible deity driving an army forward. Using the pulsing drums and rhythms of battle, the titular creatures (anthropomorphic eyeballs wielding weapons) can march forward, fall back, attack, and defend to the beat. To emerge victorious, players need to carefully time their army’s movements and actions to the pulsing rhythms, which are only further enhanced through Patapon‘s captivating minimalist art style. Patapon‘s greatness would cement it as a must-have for the PSP, and the more recent remaster for PlayStation 4 is an essential title for any rhythm game fan’s library.

Gitaroo Man

• Release Date — June 21, 2001
• Publisher — Koei
• Developer — iNiS
• Review Aggregate Score — 82% (Generally Favorable)
• Platforms — PlayStation 2, PSP

There were plenty of rhythm games well before Gitaroo Man, but surprisingly it wasn’t until the release of iNiS’ iconic PS2 title that a game in the genre would focus on rock n’ roll music and the guitar. Along with its over-the-top heavy metal attitude and style, Gitaroo Man is an incredibly challenging rhythm game that rewards players who stick with it. Rather than just timing button presses in time with the music, Gitaroo Man tasks players with using the PS2 controller’s analog sticks to maneuver along a track (not unlike Square Enix’s later Theatrhythm series). Gitaroo Man‘s gameplay places it as one of the PS2’s greatest rhythm games, but its charm and humor are the reason the title remains a cult classic and favorite among genre fans.

Rhythm Doctor

• Release Date — February 26, 2021
• Publisher — 7th Beat Games, indienova
• Developer — 7th Beat Games
• Review Aggregate Score — N/A
• Steam User Score — 98% (Overwhelmingly Positive)
• Platforms — PC (Early Access)

People often forget that the very concept of rhythm is inextricably tied to our everyday bodily processes as humans. Our behavior over a 24-hour cycle is referred to as our “circadian rhythm”, our respiration and circulation are imperceptible rhythmic cycles that occur automatically, and our hearts function in “beats”. Rhythm Doctor ingeniously taps into the human body’s natural proclivity toward adhering to rhythms by cleverly tasking players with saving patients’ lives by timing charges from a defibrillator with the accompanying music. It also doesn’t hurt that the title comes from the talented team at 7th Beat Games, the very same developers behind the also ingenious A Dance of Fire and Ice…

A Dance of Fire and Ice

• Release Date — January 24, 2019
• Publisher — 7th Beat Games, indienova
• Developer — 7th Beat Games
• Review Aggregate Score — N/A
• Steam User Score — 94% (Very Positive)
• Platforms — PC

Speaking of the 7th Beat Games, the studio’s A Dance of Fire and Ice is a simplistic yet elegant rhythm game that communicates so much with so little. Unlike its follow-up title Rhythm Doctor, A Dance of Fire and Ice has an incredibly minimalistic visual presentation in order to allow its core gameplay loop and music to take center stage. Dance is just that, a precise back-and-forth between two diametrically opposed orbs, with players keeping the Fire and Ice elementals in equilibrium while maneuvering them through courses to the beat of an excellent soundtrack. Rhythm Doctor is a natural evolution of the excellent rhythm gameplay on display in Dance of Fire and Ice, but both titles are must-play experiences for fans of the genre.

Muse Dash

• Release Date — June 20, 2019
• Publisher — hasuhasu
• Developer — peropero
• Review Aggregate Score — 73% (Mixed or Average)
• Steam User Score — 90% (Very Positive)
• Platforms — iOS, PC, Nintendo Switch

While Muse Dash is far from the only endless runner/platformer game to utilize rhythm game mechanics, it does earn some points over its contemporaries for its gripping visual style and undeniably charming anime aesthetic. Like Bit Trip Runner, the genius of Muse Dash becomes evident when realizing how the game addresses its difficulty curve. Things start off incredibly simplistic in Muse Dash and players only have two buttons they’ll ever need to use. But stages become gradually more and more complex, ultimately testing players’ skill at mastering what’s initially a very accessible gameplay loop. PC owners also have the benefit of being able to grab the game for $2.99 on Steam, making Muse Dash a worthwhile bargain.

Trombone Champ

• Release Date — September 15, 2022
• Publisher — Holy Wow Studios LLC
• Developer — Holy Wow Studios LLC
• Review Aggregate Score — 79% (Generally Favorable)
• Steam User Score — 98% (Overwhelmingly Positive)
• Platforms — PC, Nintendo Switch

Rhythm games and humor go hand-in-hand, so it’s no surprise to see a title like Trombone Champ become the most recent viral title in the genre. As the title suggests, Trombone Champ is all about becoming the world’s best trombone player. Across roughly 6 hours and 60 different tracks, players are treated to one of the rhythm game genre’s best experiences through Trombone Champ‘s absolutely hilarious single-player mode, and the simplistic Nintendo Mii-style character models only add to the game’s lightheartedness and charm. The rhythm gameplay is not dissimilar from games like Gitaroo Man or the Theatrhythm series, but its more accessible difficulty on-ramp and playful tone make Trombone Champ much more friendly to casual fans of the genre.

Metal: Hellsinger

• Release Date — September 15, 2022
• Publisher — Funcom
• Developer — The Outsiders
• Review Aggregate Score — 79% (Generally Favorable)
• Steam User Score — 96% (Overwhelmingly Positive)
• Platforms — PC, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

The seamless fit between rhythm gameplay and first-person shooting feels so natural that it’s a wonder it took so long to envision. One of the best rhythm FPSes out there is Metal: Hellsinger, which manages to strike a great balance between satisfying gunplay and a killer soundtrack absolutely bursting with top-tier metal artists. It takes some getting used to in terms of shooting and reloading to the rhythm of the music, but once Metal: Hellsinger clicks it’s almost impossible to put down. Add to that Hellsinger‘s serviceable story and excellent visuals and you’ve got the video game equivalent of a heavy metal album cover come to life.

Rhythm Heaven

• Release Date — April 5, 2009
• Publisher — Nintendo
• Developer — Nintendo SPD
• Review Aggregate Score — 83% (Generally Favorable)
• Platforms — Nintendo DS

The Rhythm Heaven series now has several entries spanning multiple console generations, but it’s the Nintendo DS original that stands out as arguably the best of the bunch. Taking the “mini-game roulette” approach of another Nintendo handheld classic (Wario Ware) and injecting a healthy dose of rhythm game mechanics and gameplay, Rhythm Heaven is a collection of 50 excellent challenges that only get better the more you play. And play you will, as the thrill of chasing down “Perfect” rankings for each of the 50 rhythm mini-games is one of Rhythm Heaven‘s greatest draws. The most recent Rhythm Heaven game is 2016’s Megamix on the 3DS, and it’s about time that Nintendo revived the series either for the Switch or its upcoming successor.

Crypt of the Necrodancer

• Release Date — April 23, 2015
• Publisher — Brace Yourself Games, Klei Entertainment
• Developer — Brace Yourself Games
• Review Aggregate Score — 87% (Generally Favorable)
• Steam User Score — 95% (Overwhelmingly Positive)
• Platforms — Android, iOS, PC, PS4, PS Vita, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One

Another surprisingly perfect fit for the rhythm game genre is the action RPG dungeon-crawler, which Crypt of the Necrodancer perfectly illustrates. Taking elements of the 2D Legend of Zelda games and blending them with roguelike mechanics and progression, Crypt of the Necrodancer is one of the more endlessly replayable roguelikes and a great rhythm game on its own. The original score by Danny Baranowsky is incredibly infectious, and it’s almost a guarantee you’ll find yourself humming many of its tunes long after you put the game down. The Switch spin-off featuring music from The Legend of Zelda and several character cameos just might be one of the greatest crossovers in gaming history.

Thumper

• Release Date — October 10, 2016
• Publisher — Drool
• Developer — Drool
• Review Aggregate Score — 84% (Generally Favorable)
• Steam User Score — 91% (Very Positive)
• Platforms — Android, iOS, Oculus, PC, PS4, PS5, PSVR, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One

Thumper is somewhat of a spiritual successor to one of Harmonix’s pre-Guitar Hero hits, Amplitude. As a beetle-like creature, Thumper tasks players with moving along a track, timing button presses with nodes that lie along these tracks in order to maintain momentum, pick up speed, and avoid obstacles. It sounds simple enough, and it starts off that way, but quickly becomes one of the more harrowing and intense rhythm games around through its incorporation of intense visuals and complex time signatures. Thumper is not for the faint of heart, but for those rhythm game fans looking for a challenge, it offers a phenomenal experience.

Beat Saber

• Release Date — May 21, 2019
• Publisher — Beat Games
• Developer — Beat Games
• Review Aggregate Score — 86% (Generally Favorable)
• Steam User Score — 95% (Overwhelmingly Positive)
• Platforms — Meta Quest, PC, PS4, PS5

Part rhythm game, part workout game, and all fun, Beat Saber is one of the few “must-play” VR titles. The premise is simple enough for anyone to understand: slice incoming cubes using the right color saber to the beat of the music. However, in execution, Beat Saber does what the best rhythm games do by starting slow and gradually becoming more and more complex. Eventually, players might find themselves winded and drenched in sweat from keeping up with the challenge that higher difficulties present, making Beat Saber one of the few games that expertly combines fulfilling gameplay with physical activity. Regardless, the ability to import your own songs into Beat Saber makes it a dream come true for the cross-section between gamers and audiophiles.

Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line

• Release Date — February 16, 2023
• Publisher — Square Enix
• Developer — indieszero
• Review Aggregate Score — 87% (Generally Favorable)
• Platforms — PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch

The latest game in Square Enix’s Theatrhythm series is also its greatest. Notably, Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line brings together the greatest collection of songs and games from across the Final Fantasy series, mixing together its rhythm gameplay with RPG elements and an impressive museum of franchise artifacts. Accordingly,Final Bar Line is required playing for Final Fantasy and rhythm game fans, and the title serves as a reminder of the timeless genius of Nobuo Uematsu’s compositions. The Final Fantasy series music is one of the franchise’s greatest assets, and Theatrhythm is the ultimate tribute to its greatness.

Hi-Fi Rush

• Release Date — January 25, 2023
• Publisher — Bethesda Softworks
• Developer — Tango Gameworks
• Review Aggregate Score — 87% (Generally Favorable)
• Steam User Score — 97% (Overwhelmingly Positive)
• Platforms — PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

One of the better rhythm games in recent memory, Hi-Fi Rush is an absolute delight. With incredibly eye-catching visuals, a great sense of humor, captivating story, and flawless integration of rhythm game mechanics, it’s no wonder the title would earn several Game of the Year nods. As the affable Chai, a rock star hopeful, players make their way through several beautiful stages, beating up goons and platforming to the beat of an incredible soundtrack featuring both original and licensed music. Tango Gameworks’ 25th-hour salvation from closure is one of the few happy endings to a studio’s parent company cutting costs. Hopefully, the rescue of Tango means we’ll get a Hi-Fi Rush sequel sooner rather than later.

Sayonara Wild Hearts

• Release Date — December 12, 2019
• Publisher — Annapurna Interactive
• Developer — Simogo
• Review Aggregate Score — 84% (Generally Favorable)
• Steam User Score — 96% (Overwhelmingly Positive)
• Platforms — iOS, PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One

The debut title from indie developer Simogo, Sayonara Wild Hearts is a left-field combination of genres with rhythm gameplay at its core. Part on-rails shooter, part endless runner, and part visual novel, Sayonara Wild Hearts somewhat transcends genre labels to become its own unique and singular experience. However, the core of that experience is undoubtedly the game’s music, which serves as the backdrop for the events that occur in each stage and drives the player’s actions forward regardless of which new gameplay elements are at play. Ultimately, Sayonara has been described as an interactive version of a pop album, and playing the game proves that description to be incredibly apt.

Rez

• Release Date — November 22, 2001
• Publisher — Sega
• Developer — United Game Artists
• Review Aggregate Score — 89% (Generally Favorable)
• Steam User Score — 91% (Very Positive)
• Platforms — Android, Dreamcast, Oculus, PC, PS2, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360

Playing Rez for the first time is almost a transcendent experience. Notably, Rez is the brainchild of legendary developer Tetsuya Mizuguchi, whose works all contain some element of synesthesia (the crossing over of senses, e.g. feeling sounds or smelling tastes). Players assume the role of a hacker infiltrating a rogue AI, heading deeper and deeper into the code of the intelligence by timing their shots along with the driving electronic soundtrack of this incredible on-rails shooter. Rez would end up being a bit of an underappreciated cult classic on the Dreamcast, eventually finding a core audience of dedicated fans through its various console ports outside of Sega’s doomed console. Today, most players acknowledge Rez as both one of the greatest on-rail shooters and one of the greatest rhythm games.

Rock Band (Series)

• Release Date — November 20, 2007
• Publisher — Harmonix
• Developer — Harmonix
• First Game in Series — Rock Band (PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, 2007)
• Most Recent Game in Series — Rock Band Rivals (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, 2016)
• Platforms — PS2, PS3, PS4, Wii, Xbox 360, Xbox One

Another genius concept that took longer than anticipated to arrive, Rock Band answers the question “What if we took Guitar Hero and brought in the whole band?”. Expanding the tried-and-true accessible rhythm gameplay of its Guitar Hero franchise to include drums, bass, and vocals, Rock Band is Harmonix’s magnum opus. The soundtrack to the original Rock Band was head and shoulders better than any of its contemporaries, and the ability to add new songs via online marketplaces ensured that players would never run out of new tunes to master either solo or in co-op. And while the guitar mechanics don’t do a great job of teaching the elements of playing in real life, Rock Band‘s drumming doubles as a genuine teaching tool for anyone interested in picking up the instrument.

PaRappa the Rapper

• Release Date — December 6, 1996
• Publisher — Sony Computer Entertainment
• Developer — NanaOn-Sha
• Review Aggregate Score — 92% (Universal Acclaim)
• Platforms — PlayStation, PlayStation 4, PSP

The game that started it all. PaRappa the Rapper might not technically be the “first” rhythm game, but its mechanics and gameplay loop would establish the core tenets of the genre moving forward. Playing as the titular hero of the game’s undeniably charming story, you get to work your way through 6 increasingly challenging stages, following simplistic button prompts in time with the amazing soundtrack. The icing on the cake is PaRappa‘s 2D paper cutout-style visuals and incredibly iconic character designs, which come together with the pitch-perfect soundtrack to deliver one of the PlayStation’s best games, regardless of its genre. Easy to pick up and play but difficult to master, PaRappa the Rapper is an accessible and endlessly fun rhythm game that the Guitar Hero and Rock Band franchises owe a huge debt of gratitude to.

Guitar Hero (Series)

• Release Date — November 7, 2005
• Publisher — Red Octane, Activision
• Developer — Red Octane, Harmonix, Neversoft
• First Game in Series — Guitar Hero (PlayStation 2, 2005)
• Most Recent Game in Series — Guitar Hero Live (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, 2015)
• Platforms — Nintendo DS, PS2, PS3, PS4, Wii, Xbox 360, Xbox One

For nearly a decade, it was practically impossible to find someone who didn’t have a copy of Guitar Hero. Regardless of console, music taste, age, or previous gaming experience, Guitar Hero was a title that could reach across cultural, generational, and social boundaries to bring people together. At the center of the game’s success was Red Octane’s ingenious guitar controller, which does such a great job at emulating the act of playing an actual guitar that it’s no wonder the game became an overnight cultural phenomenon. Guitar HeroII would further improve on the genius of the original, and that game’s unprecedented success led to the franchise becoming the single most successful rhythm game of all time. The franchise may have gone the way of the dodo, but those who lived through the era of plastic peripherals will forever carry Red Octane and Harmonix’s rock star fantasy in their hearts.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Rock Band 4 gameplay screenshot.