Best rhythm game of all time

When people talk about the “rhythm game” genre, they’re probably referring Rock band or Guitar Hero. But over the years, we have seen a staggering number of great music games that do not fall under these two franchises. Whether you’re smashing bongos, spinning a fake turntable or swinging your hand in a VR game, the genre has it all done. Many of them are no longer in production – and some require proprietary plastic controllers – but the following 12 titles are some of the best rhythm games the industry has ever seen.

Rock band 3

To prevent this roster from being taken over by the Rock Band series, we’ve limited it to just one game from the franchise. And Rock band 3 Definitely the best it has to offer. Enhance the power by adding keyboard play along with the usual drums, vocals, guitar and bass, Rock band 3 is an incredibly diverse title. The rockers will choose from over 83 songs and play on a variety of difficulties to rate their inner rock star. Included in the soundtrack are popular songs by popular bands and musicians, including Avenged Sevenfold, The Cure, Dio, Ozzy Osbourne, Queen, Slipknot and The Smiths.

Guitar Hero 2

As for the best installment of the Guitar Hero franchise, the second installment is often considered the best on its list. It has improved over the original by bringing massive singles from bands like AC / DC and Metallica into a stacked lineup and the developers have worked closely with the artists. to get the real entertainment in the game. Guitar Hero 2 has also improved hammer opening and pulling techniques, allowing for a more realistic guitar plucking experience. On top of that, this was the first time players had gotten used to a three-note chord, forcing them to learn entirely new hand positions – and the difficulty gradually increased.

Defeat Saber

Although it hasn’t quite reached the level of success for Rock Band and Guitar Hero titles over the years, Defeat Saber is far and away the most popular new rhythm game. You’ll need a set of VR headsets to play a hit game – which means the input costs are a bit high – but besides that it’s one of the best rhythm games. The player holds a sword, one red and one blue. The colored blocks then begin to move towards you in rhythm and you are tasked with cutting the blocks with the appropriate sword before they fly past you. It’s a simple concept, but one that proves that the rhythm genre is far from dead – and VR could be the future of it.

You can check out our list of the best HTC Vive games and our Oculus Quest games for more like these.

Crypt of the NecroDancer

Combining two different genres like the same rhythm and sound as if it would be a disaster, but it’s one that works surprisingly well. The player must move and attack to the beat of the music – taking any action off the beat will result in a penalty. Despite its difficulties, Crypt of the NecroDancer never feel frustrated. Instead, each failure can be considered practice, as you learn the rhythm of each song and the movements of your enemy. You can even choose to upload your own tunes, but Danny Baranowsky’s music is so good that you’ll go crazy if you miss it.

PaRappa the Rapper

Despite a few confusing rhythm games before that, PaRappa the Rapper often considered the first real rhythm game and the one that brought the genre to the masses. Players will play the role of PaRappa, a rapping dog trying to sing and kick karate his way into the heart of his true love, Sunny Funny. The story is a bit confusing, but the rhythmic blocking, chopping, and kicking is just as solid as anything else on the original PlayStation. With some difficulty available – as well as an unlockable ending – PaRappa is truly one of the best music games out there.

Blacksmith

If you hope that your expertise in Guitar Hero will shift to playing a real guitar – then that usually doesn’t go too well. BlacksmithHowever, did exactly that. Players will plug in a real electric guitar and the game will slowly guide them through the basics of playing a real musical instrument. It’s packed with short lessons – disguised as mini-games – and once the guitarists feel comfortable enough, they can tackle the full tracks of The Black Keys, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Boston and Pearl Jam. If Guitar Hero is talking about using guitar to create video games, Blacksmith is about using video games to become a musician.

DJ Hero

Just like the music game craze is coming to an end, DJ Hero Step in and try to revive the genre. But instead of using plastic guitars and drums, players step in behind a plastic turntable. It’s a solid – if fundamental – imitation of what a real DJ will use, but has done an impressive job recreating the real experience. The note drop formula has been back since Guitar Hero, but instead of typing and strumming, players tap and scratch. With great performers like Daft Punk, DJ AM and DJ Shadow lending their beats, DJ Hero remains one of the most unique rhythm games of all time.

Donkey Konga

Since the GameCube game missed the Guitar Hero and Rock Band craze, Nintendo decided to step in and fix the problem. And its answer was a decisive change for Nintendo. The company took one of the most popular franchises – Donkey Kong – and created an extra music game. Donkey Konga see players beat a plastic bong to the beat of “All the Small Things”, “Louie Louie” and “Whip It”. It certainly stood out in the market – and worked well enough to make a sequel – but the bongo craze almost died out quickly when it arrived.

Sayonara Wild Hearts

From the publishers of Journeys and Flower, Sayonara Wild Hearts is another abstract adventure that keeps players trying until the very last minute. The title revolves around pain and self-acceptance, using strong background music to push action forward. It’s the story that’s more driven than most other rhythm games, but its tight gameplay and great soundtrack make it a game that will stick with you through credits.

Super hexagon

The simplest game on the list, Super Hexagon isn’t a graphic prowess. It has no story, its controls are basic, and you will likely give up in frustration dozens of times. But once it clicks, Super Hexagon is an incredible game. The premise is simple – players move around in a circle as they try to avoid oncoming obstacles. As the action progresses and the rhythm intensifies, the levels get more frantic, requiring precise moves in order to survive. But when it comes to fast-paced games, it’s hard to make it to the top of the Super Hexagon.

Surfing sound

This game requires you to upload your own music, so you’ll need good taste if you want to optimize your AudioSurf experience. It is similar Guitar Hero while still distinguishing itself. The title includes a variety of game modes, but in general, you can expect to soar through a psychedelic background as you try to collect blocks of specified color. The game places blocks behind your character and you can exchange it for points. You can strategize where you place the blocks – specific color groups can help you get great rewards. For example, yellow and red blocks score the most points for each block. This is an entertaining and unique variation of the rhythm genre, using the puzzle game mechanics in its action.

Dance Dance Revolution

Although it takes a bit of time and effort to set up, when it first came out, Dance Dance Revolution was a real revolution. The game requires portable dance mats, which can cause people to worry. But the trick is coordination and rhythm, not actual dance moves. Even amateurs will begin to fall in love with the pros as they see their movements match the game.

With loads of rhythm games to choose from, players have hours of fun at their fingertips. Whether you like Rock Band 3, Donkey Konga, DJ Hero or Dance Dance Revolution, you’ll be sure to find a new favorite from our list of 12 top tracks.

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