16 best rhythm video games you can actually buy, ranked

1 week ago 8

If you were to ask any fan of rhythm games what their favorite titles are, odds are that their first choices will likely be a selection of games that are now relegated to consoles past, lost to ever-progressing technology. It’s easy to believe that the genre itself is lost to history, but that’s not necessarily the case.

Yes, games like Dance Dance Revolution, Rock Band, and Guitar Hero are undoubtedly reserved for those old-school gamers who still have their old consoles, or visit Dave & Busters on a regular basis. However, that doesn’t mean that newer rhythm games don’t exist for current-generation Console or PC players, you just have to look a little harder to find them.

And they’re worth playing for more reasons than simply passing the time, as well. Did you know that playing rhythm-based music games can dramatically improve areas like reading ability, spatial reasoning, and focused attention in both kids and grown-ups? If you ever needed a reason to dive into rhythm gaming, aside from the undeniable fun and satisfaction, then improving your mind should be it.

It is worth mentioning that DDR, Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and other previous-generation rhythm games are all still perfectly playable, and it costs less to buy the old console and anything else you might need (a dance mat or guitar) than it does to buy a VR headset to play Beat Saber, for instance. So while this list is explicitly for current generation rhythm games, don’t let it stop you from exploring and enjoying older titles.

16. Incredibox

I’m not sure if Incredibox counts as a “rhythm game,” but it has the “rhythm” tag on Steam and it rocks, so I’m including it. Incredibox is a kind of music production toy that involves layering different loops over one another to create awesome music. It’s almost impossible to make something that sounds bad.

Incredibox doesn’t have a lose state and it doesn’t involve tapping anything to the beat, so it might not be a rhythm game in the same way the other titles on this list are. Still, I have often felt that the joy of rhythm games comes from the imitation of “creating” music, and Incredibox is a pretty natural evolution of that concept. If you love music, it’s at least worth checking out.

15. Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory

Melody of Memory is a spin-off of the Theatrhythm series, and it served to scratch the Square Enix rhythm game itch during the six-year wait for a new mainline Theatrhythm entry. It’s probably the easiest game on this list, but it’s got nearly every song from one of the best franchise soundtracks in video game history. Rhythmic “combat” is an idea that’s been tried before, and it’s not at its deepest here, but it’s undeniably very satisfying.

There are plenty of games that can rigorously test your dexterity and sense of rhythm, but when you just want to feel good tapping away at some beautiful music, it’s tough to do better than Melody of Memory. It’s not only a genuinely enjoyable Kingdom Hearts entry, but it’s also an excellent rhythm game in its own right.

14. Trombone Champ

Nothing in Trombone Champ sounds “good,” but that’s not really the point. This uproariously funny title places you in control of a “tromboner” (the game’s word, not mine) and gives you free rein to play whatever music you want. There is a beatmap here, but the game absolutely will not help you hew to it at all, which means that most of your tromboning will consist of playing a note that’s either just barely wrong or entirely wrong.

There might be a way to get good at Trombone Champ. I’ve never seen it happen, and I’ve never tried to do it. I’m happy to be the world’s worst tromboner. It’s funnier this way.

13. Crypt of the NecroDancer

Crypt of the NecroDancer is so simple that it hurts my brain. Literally all you do is move around a dungeon to the beat, attacking enemies simply by bumping into them. There are some basic buffs and item pickups, but at its heart, it’s exactly what it looks like.

It’s all about reading and responding to patterns in the most simple manner possible, and it’s wildly addictive. Every time I start playing NecroDancer, I lose hours to it. On the face of it, Crypt of the NecroDancer is very basic. And yet, there’s nothing else quite like it. NecroDancer uses its simplicity to its advantage to create one of the most enjoyable rhythm experiences out there.

12. Patapon 2 Remastered

Patapon 2 was initially released for the PSP in 2008 and requires you to input four-button sequences in beat with the music to control troops in battle. While it sounds simple, there’s a whole lot more at play here. You need to constantly increase your combo so that you can gain Fever, allowing you to perform miracles that affect the weather, and you need to match the flashing at the edge of the screen if you want to succeed.

Patapon 2 Remastered was released for PlayStation 4 in 2020 and features everything that was beloved about the original version. With a long list of different sequences to remember in order to control the troops, Patapon can be a little frustrating and will definitely test your memory, but it’s also incredibly enjoyable as well.

11. UNBEATABLE [white label]

Unbeatable is what happens when you combine the genre of rhythm gaming with the genre of anime fighting. The game itself has been on the cards for a long time, with the hand-drawn title set to release at an as yet unspecified time in 2025. The concept of the game is simple – music is illegal, but that won’t stop you from playing it, so get out there and commit some crime.

Unbeatable[white label] acts as a very impressive pseudo-demo, and is an exclusive side story set within the world of the yet-to-be-released full game. The art style is fully hand-drawn, and New content is added with episodical updates, and there’s even a Demo Tapes DLC which can give you the soundtrack to listen to at leisure without the pressure of performing. Unbeatable [white label] is incredibly fun and satisfying to play, not to mention it’s free (although the Demo Tapes will cost you $4), so you’ve got nothing to lose by giving it a go.

10. Geometry Dash

Now listen, I know this probably isn’t something you expected to see on this list, but I’m throwing it in anyway because there is an undoubtable element of rhythm to Geometry Dash. Admittedly it doesn’t come from matching the beat of the background music as is the case with the vast majority of other rhythm games, but you find your own rhythm with your jumps and inevitable rage-filled deaths.

There’s something undeniably satisfying about getting a level under your belt, because they are absolutely difficult to complete at times, and you can find yourself losing your own rhythm to that of the music that accompanies each level. You’ll need more than good timing to get through each level of Geometry Dash, with skill mastery from practice and awareness of what’s to come as you progress.

9. Headbangers Rhythm Royale

It’s hard to even begin to explain Headbangers Rhythm Royale, but I’ll start with the vaguest of descriptions to hopefully drag you in the same way that I was when I first heard about this gem: large numbers of pigeons in fanciful costumes playing rhythm games to come out on top. Yes, you read that right.

There are 23 different individual music-based mini-rhythm games, and you get to compete with 29 other players in four that are randomly chosen for each game. Imagine Fall Guys, but there’s no running, and instead, you’re bobbing your little pigeon head to the beat, guessing the instruments, or trying to flick balls into a goal. All while trying to survive to the final round, prove your sense of rhythm, earn Crumbs to customize your pigeon, and win the “Master Headbanger” title.

As I said, Headbangers Rhythm Royale is very hard to explain in any way that will actually make sense to anyone who has never played it. You just have to experience it for yourself.

8. Rhythm Doctor

Set in a struggling cardiac hospital, Rhythm Doctor has you playing as a surgeon whose job is to restart patients’ hearts by rhythmically tapping a single button. If that sounds a little too simple for you, don’t worry, it all gets a little complicated when the game shrinks its own window and starts throwing itself around your screen, forcing you to pay more attention than you ever expected to going into it, especially if you have more than one monitor.

The music is amazing and fun, the characters you meet are genuinely interesting, and you’ll find yourself wanting to relive the experience once all is said and done. Each patient has their own unique heart rhythm to learn, making each rhythm battle interesting and fun. Rhythm Doctor is still in early access, despite being initially released back in 2021, but there are 20 levels (each of which has a more challenging “Night Shift” mode for those who want to try their luck), and you can even play co-op with a friend.

7. Beat Saber

While the rest of the games on this list require no more movement than twitching your fingers, Beat Saber will get you up and out of your seat. Admittedly, adding it to this list might be stretching the boundaries of accessibility, as you’ll need both a VR headset and a considerable amount of room to play, not to mention that you’ll need to make sure there aren’t any pets or children around who might end up getting caught in your arm-swinging crossfire.

However, it somehow doesn’t feel quite right to write up a list of rhythm games without including Beat Saber. Not only is waving your arms around and hitting things with VR lightsabers incredibly fun, but it’s also a great stress reliever, and it awakens a certain primal part of the human brain in a way that simply pressing a button doesn’t quite manage to do.

6. Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun

One thing that I love about Taiko no Tatsujin games is the versatility offered by the myriad of different ways in which you can actually play. Whether you want to play using a touchscreen, by pressing dedicated buttons, or even with a dedicated physical drum controller, there are many ways to play. However you play, you do one action for red notes, and another action for blue notes. Taiko no Tatsujin is remarkably simple, but that’s a huge part of the appeal.

You could switch out Drum ‘n’ Fun for any of the other Taiko no Tatsujin games. Picking which one to play is as simple as looking up the tracklist for each, but Drum ‘n’ Fun earns a place on this list because it features some absolute bangers. While pretty much anyone can play Taiko no Tatsujin, mastering the art of getting it right is incredibly difficult, but you’ll have a lot of fun along the way.

5. Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Mega Mix+

Let’s be honest here, did you really expect to click on a list of rhythm games and not see a Hatsune Miku title on it? While we’re being honest, you could absolutely replace this entry with any of the other Hatsune Miku Project DIVA games and it would still be accurate. In the absence of Dance Dance Revolution or Guitar Hero, Hatsune Miku games scratch the rhythm game itch for any fan.

Although having said that, Hatsune Miku takes the proven concept and absolutely kicks it up a level in terms of difficulty. Rather than having a single bar to focus on in terms of what button to hit, with notes coming in from a single direction, Hatsune Miku games throw notes at you from all directions and move your focus around the screen like a cat with the 3 a.m. zoomies. It’s definitely a challenge to clear levels, especially at higher difficulty levels, but it’s endlessly satisfying when you manage to get it right.

4. Theatrhythm Final Bar Line

If you’re a fan of either rhythm games in general, or Square Enix games, then you’ve definitely heard of the Theatrhythm series. There are five games in total, and all of them feature iconic tracks from beloved Square Enix titles such as Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy. Final Bar Line was released in 2023, after a six-year break from the previous Final Fantasy All-Star Carnival.

Final Bar Line had 385 songs included at launch, all of which were from Final Fantasy titles both new and old. Additional DLC packs add further Final Fantasy tracks, but also songs from other Square Enix titles, and if you purchase all of the DLC you’ll end up with over 500 songs to play through. Completing battles to the rhythm of familiar and nostalgic music never gets old, and there’s endless replayability as a result.

3. Hi-Fi Rush

I love Hi-Fi Rush. The story captures your imagination, the art style is stunning, the characters are lovable, and the implementation of rhythm-based gameplay feels utterly seamless. Past the tutorials close to the beginning of the game, you’re left to remember different rhythms to deal with different types of attacks, all aided by the music in the background.

It’s all about timing, and there’s something about Hi-Fi Rush that will always leave you wanting more. Everything happens in beat to the music, from the combat to your movement, and even the action in the world around you as you play. If you’ve ever walked down the street with headphones on and tried to match your steps to the beat of your chosen song, then Hi-Fi Rush won’t fail to keep your attention.

2. Super Crazy Rhythm Castle

I first discovered Super Crazy Rhythm Castle when it was free on Epic Games, and I will forever be grateful that I took a chance and downloaded it. It’s playable single-player, or with others through online play, and it’s delightfully fun for all involved. With absolutely absurd settings, characters, and a long list of earworm tracks that you’ll still be humming weeks after you finish playing, I can’t say enough good things about Super Crazy Rhythm Castle.

It’s not easy, either. Sure, it starts off pretty simple. Pressing buttons to match those shown on screen is a staple of the rhythm game genre, after all. But then additional mechanics get thrown in, most of which are definitely easier with more than one player. While one person focuses on the rhythm aspect, another can deal with enemies who are trying to kill you or focus on slotting machines into the right holes so that the music can charge them before they’re used to get through obstacles.

“Super crazy” is definitely an appropriate description for this rhythm game, but there’s a lot of fun to be had in the chaos, and you’ll spend a lot of time laughing. Plus, I haven’t played in months, and I still can’t get Hippo and Frog out of my head.

As a fan of metal music for many years, and equally a rhythm game player since childhood, Metal: Hellsinger appeals to me on an almost visceral level. Inspired by iconic FPS games like DOOM, Metal: Hellsinger takes you through multiple levels on a demon world, accompanied by absolutely stunning heavy metal tracks, with damage being increased if your attacks are in sync with the beat of each track.

It’s infuriatingly difficult to complete any level while managing to be 100% on the beat, but replaying them is absolutely worth it just to listen to the amazing soundtrack all over again, so it’s not too much of a big deal. Admittedly, you probably need to actually enjoy the metal genre of music to appreciate Metal: Hellsinger as much as I do, but I can’t even begin to recommend this one enough.

Plus, as if the base game wasn’t enough, there are DLC packs including songs from Muse, Disturbed, and rather more surprisingly, Icona Pop. Even for the biggest heavy metal fans, there’s something endlessly enjoyable about running around hell and shooting demons to the beat of “I Love It”.

Destructoid is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy

Read Entire Article