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Rhythm games are a funny beast. In essence, they’re ridiculously simple. You hit a button when told to by the screen, and get a little dopamine hit when you do. Then you do it again, and again, and again. And that’s it, for the most part.
That’s all you do and nothing else. And yet, some of them are so ridiculously fun, so addictive, and so unique that you can’t help but get them out when you have five minutes… or five hours.
As such, we thought we’d take some time and trawl through the many, many different rhythm games that there are, to try and figure out exactly what the best ones are that are available to play right now.
Hi-Fi Rush
Remember the huge controversy when XBOX decided to close down Tango Gameworks? Besides the bigger problem of the gaming industry layoffs, it was because of the quality of Hi-Fi Rush. Similar to an entry below in the sense that you’ll be exploring and fighting in a world that syncs to the beat of the music, Hi-Fi Rush was given almost universal acclaim from both critics and players.
Thankfully, you can still grab Hi-Fi Rush, and Tango Gameworks was saved from closure when Krafton bought them in 2024. Whether we get a sequel is another matter, but for now, lets get to work fighting the evil megacorp that is Vandelay Technologies.
- Release Date: January 25th, 2023.
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, XBOX Series X, and PC.
- Developer: Tango Gameworks.
Metal: Hellsinger
If you’ve ever wanted to travel through the depths of hell with a talking skull as your only companion, all whilst leviathans, demons, devils, flying monsters and so much more hunt you… well, I have some good news for you. You can do all of that whilst shooting at them to the rhythm of a heavy metal beat. Imagine DOOM had a baby with Guitar Hero, and you’d be somewhat there.
I reviewed this back at release for another outlet, scoring it an 8.5 out of 10, and for good reason. The now defunct and shuttered studio The Outsiders was made up of Battlefield royalty, and they definitely threw some of their best work at Metal: Hellsinger.
The fact we’ll never see a sequel is a particular wound to the rhythm games world, especially with how the first ended. That said, this one is still available today, and if you’re in a heavy metal, shooting, horror-filled mood, look no further than this for some good, adrenaline-fuelled fun.
- Release Date: September 15th, 2022.
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, XBOX Series X|S, Meta Quest 2, 3, and Pro, and PC.
- Developer: The Outsiders.
Rhythm Heaven Groove
Ever wanted to play an RPG in the guise of one of the most fun rhythm games out there? Well, Rhythm Heaven Groove, or Rhythm Paradise Groove as it’s also known, will allow you to do that.
It’s chock-full of mini games allowing you to rock out to the rhythm of the beat, but in the game’s dedicated RPG mode, you’ll be able to defeat many different types of monsters as you start and finish your RPG adventure. If you’re not a little intimidated by the Four Fears, then you’re lying.
A more established title than others in the list, with it being a sorely neglected franchise in and of itself, this was the first release in over a decade, and didn’t disappoint.
- Release Date: July 2nd, 2026.
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2.
- Developer: Nintendo.
Guitar Hero 3
I’d be remiss not to include my personal favourite rhythm game, perhaps ever. With a setlist that contributed to my own personal music taste in more ways than one, Guitar Hero 3 may feel a little dated now, but for the pure nostagia of it all, and arguably being the game that started the rhythm games craze, it absolutely has to be included.
To this day today, I still remember desperately trying to crack Through the Fires and Flames by Dragon Force, and getting annoyed I couldn’t master it on Expert. I remember the opening few setlists, the fun we all had with a few drinks on a Friday night crowded round the TV, and the undeniable hilarity when we weren’t as good as we believed we were.
Guitar Hero 3 from NeverSoft is why we have so many good rhythm games over the years, and it’s a shame the franchise ended how it did, but going from Pat Benatar’s ‘Hit Me With Your Best Shot’, to Black Sabbath’s iconic ‘Paranoid’ is unmatched. You’ll have to dig out an older console from the attic to play it, but it’s worth the effort, especially if you have two guitars lying around.
- Release Date: October 28th, 2007.
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PC, and Mac.
- Developer: NeverSoft.
Rhythm Doctor
So far we’ve had straight rhythm games, more unique and odd ones like Hi-Fi Rush, and now, with Rhythm Doctor, we have a rhythm game that has you saving your patience to the beat of their unique heartbeats. Get it wrong and they’ll die. Get it right and you’ll save their life whilst bringing out the best beat possible.
Considering the somewhat serious subject matter at the center of the game, it’s bright and breezy art style will quickly have you forgetting that, and have you pure vibing to the experience instead. It’s also one of the harder, more frustrating entries here, but just like chess, it’s easy to learn, incredibly difficult to master, and oh so worth it if you manage it.
- Release Date: December 6th, 2025.
- Platforms: XBOX Series X|S, PC, Mac, and Linux.
- Developer: 7th Beat Games.
Beat Saber
Every kid I knew grew up wanting to be a jedi, myself included. Unfortunately, as the world of Star Wars isn’t actually real, this didn’t happen. Beat Saber came out and gave us probably the closest feeling to that, with the VR game putting two lightsabers into our hands and asking us to hit things to the rhythm of a beat. It may not be droids, or Sith, but it’s the next best thing.
Considering the whole thing is wrapped up in a beautiful array of bright colours, it’s a feast for all of your senses, and you can’t ask for much more than that when it comes to good rhythm games.
- Release Date: May 1st, 2018.
- Platforms: PC, Meta Quest, PSVR, PSVR2.
- Developer: Beat Games.
Fresh Tracks
Released by Buffalo Buffalo, Fresh Tracks is a roguelite with a difference. You’re on a pair of skis, constantly skiing downhill, and at the same time, you’ll be fighting enemies, avoiding obstacles and trying valiantly to stick to a beat. Whether or not you can do that depends entirely on you ability to keep any sort of rhythm. We reviewed it on release, saying it was a “fresh change of pace from just a generic roguelite game or a generic rhythm-based game”, so it was a no brainer including it here.
- Release Date: August 26th, 2025.
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, XBOX Series X|S, and PC.
- Developer: Buffalo Buffalo.
Dead as Disco
In today’s day and age, we all have rather large Spotify libraries. Well, I do. Last I checked I’d listened to something like 10,000 tracks over the entire time I’ve been using it. Why are you telling me this, Luke? Well, Dead as Disco is a combat based rhythm game that will allow you to use any music track you like, anything you’ve ever heard or listened to, as the backing beat to the fight you’re in.
Expertly created by the relatively small team at Brain Jar Games, you’ll have to time your attacks to those of the backing song, so pick them wisely. Featuring an incredibly deep combat system, it’s hard to say you’ve done and seen everything when you can whack on another track and fight in what feels like a different style entirely.
- Release Date: May 5th, 2026.
- Platforms: PC.
- Developer: Brain Jar Games, Inc.
Special Mention – Stage Tour
A disclaimer here, Stage Tour isn’t out yet, but based on everything released so far, it could well end up being the progenitor of the resurgence that rhythm games needs. Or at least, ‘standard’ rhythm games need. Where as we’ve had plenty of innovation in the genre, as the above proves, we’re missing the more normal, everyday music rhythm games that we had back in the day with the likes of Guitar Hero and Rock Band.
Featuring multiple instruments and a frankly absured launch setlist, with multiple DLCs to come as time goes on, I see a future where we all get around the living room TV to play a track or two, hopefully.
- Release Date: December 10th, 2026.
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, XBOX Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
- Developer: RedOctane.
Rhythm Games FAQs
What is a rhythm game?
This is a question that would have a different answer in the 2000s when the Guitar Hero franchise started compared to what it is today. Nowadays, a rhythm game can be any genre where you’re forced to do an action to do some sort of rhythm. From fighting in combat, to saving patient lives, or even to cooking and creating, there’s really a rhythm game for everyone these days.
Are all rhythm games designed to be difficult?
Some rhythm games are only meant for those with ungodly reflexes, sure, but those are few and far between. Most rhythm games will have difficulty settings, or in the case of the more standard ones like Guitar Hero, they have song choices where some are easier than others. Plus, this is one genre where it’s not always required to be good at them to have fun and ‘complete’ them.
I don’t have a specialist controller, can I still play?
Yeah, of course. Not all rhythm games are music-based, for one, as the list above proves, but even those that are can be played with a standard controller. Other rhythm games would be a nightmare to play on something that wasn’t a normal controller, too, so don’t worry about it too much.
What is the easiest rhythm game?
Honestly, the answer to this is any of them. With all the difficulty settings present in many of them, you can tailor the experience to your own skill set. In the age of accessibility settings that we’re in, there’s never been an easier time to get involved with the genre.
For your next read, check out nine games most like Phantom Blade Zero, or our solo DMZ guide on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.
Luke Addison is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Thumb Wars. Having previously been a part of multiple outlets over the years, including building an entire gaming team from nothing to something, he thought it best to forge his own path and answer only to himself. As likely to be found playing the latest game as he is in the kitchen relaxing (by cooking), he always brings the same bold and brash attitude to everything he does, with a heavy leaning on sarcasm and dry wit!
