This year’s crop of games is sure to be some of the most exciting and memorable in recent memory. Here are a few of our favourites to get you started:
- Super Mario Party 10
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Halo 5: Guardians
For our ongoing series of articles depicting the best video games, our attention this time turns to the best music games of all time. From wacky mini-games to simulated experiences, there’s a good choice to whet your appetite. Whether you’re a fan of classic rock or modern pop, these games will have you singing along in no time. ..
We’ve got a great selection of books to choose from, so be sure to check them out! ..
Cadence of Hyrule
Hyrule Cadence is a mash-up of Crypt of the NecroDancer and The Legend of Zelda that is sure to please fans of both games. Its invigorating rhythmic gameplay, beautiful 2D visuals, and energetic atmosphere make it a gem worth checking out. ..
Crypt of the NecroDancer is a 2D platformer where you play as Cadence, a young woman who gets warped to Hyrule by the Triforce. Alongside Link and Zelda, she has to find and defeat Octavo’s four champions in order to return home. ..
This game will have players moving and attacking at the beat of the music when enemies are present on the screen. Each enemy harbors a different attack pattern that’ll entice players to ponder their moves carefully. The music in Cadence of Hyrule features many classic Legend of Zelda tracks that’ll tug at fans’ nostalgia bones.
The game’s controls may take some time to get used to, but once you do, Cadence of Hyrule is a rewarding experience. The title offers a challenge because of its complex controls. If you can spend enough time learning the game’s formula, you’ll be able to enjoy its unique gameplay.
Rhythm Heaven (Series)
Nintendo’s underrated Rhythm Heaven series offers incredible rhythmic gameplay, soothing and energetic music, and quirky characters worth your time. It’s a mini-game bonanza with a lot of love and passion put into each release, and will keep you engaged. ..
The games in this collection vary in theme, but they all hinge on rhythm and music. For example, one game has you cutting down logs while another has you interviewing a masked wrestler. You have to press buttons at certain intervals to score points. ..
The Rhythm Heaven series is a series of mini-games that are very repetitive. However, many people will enjoy playing through these games because they focus on rhythm and music.
Dance Dance Revolution (Series)
DDR is a rhythm and music video game that revolutionized the genre. Its developers at Konami invented a gameplay formula that’s addictive, competitive, and casual enough to get anyone to hop on a dance pad and strut their stuff. ..
DDR is a series of rhythm games that offer a wide variety of music from well-known to obscure bands and musicians. Some games offer a music video backdrop for those songs which is a neat touch. In DDR, you control the game via a dance pad. ..
Once you select a song, you’ll be taken to a screen featuring four arrows pointing up, down, left, and right. Arrows appear below the screen and work their way to the top. You must tap the arrows on your dance pad as soon as the ones on the screen connect with the static arrows.
The game is a great way to kill some time with friends or family. It’s also a great way to get your exercise. If you ever stumble upon a DDR machine at a bar or have an old gaming system lying around that supports DDR, I’d recommend seeking this gem out.
Guitar Hero (Series)
Guitar Hero is a music-themed game that was created by Activision. This game is packed with many rock n’ roll-themed soundtracks and came equipped with a plastic guitar peripheral. The popularity of DDR has led to the creation of more music-themed games, such as Guitar Hero. ..
The guitar controller is a peripheral that allows you to interact with the game in a more hands-on way. The fret buttons on the controller have five different colors, and there are also blue and red strumming and whammy bars. You can select a song from its list and be taken to a scenario where a band performs. You must match the notes that scroll down the screen using these buttons.
To hit the notes, you must hold down the corresponding colored note and strum bar at the same time. This game features a variety of notes where you’ll be asked to press and hold occasionally. You can perform some neat tricks by tampering with the controller’s whammy bar too. In the end, you’ll be greeted with a screen highlighting your achievements and missed opportunities. ..
Guitar Hero is a rhythm game that got many people into playing instruments. It delivers a satisfying gameplay loop and spawned numerous follow-ups. If you have an old console lying around that supports Guitar Hero like a PlayStation 2 or Xbox 360, I’d look around your area for a copy of Guitar Hero.
PaRappa The Rapper
Many PlayStation fans are eagerly awaiting a follow-up to 2001’s PaRappa The Rapper 2, as the game has been well-loved by many. While there is no release date set for this game, many believe that it could come out as soon as next year. This follows in the footsteps of Sony’s other obscure mascot, Pichu, who also had a follow-up game released in 2019.
PaRappa the Rapper is a rhythm game where players control the anthropomorphic dog PaRappa and must overcome obstacles by rapping in response to his teacher’s song. Playing the game involves pressing buttons that correspond to PaRappa’s teacher’s lines. ..
In this game, players progress through ranks by playing levels and clearing them. The higher the rank, the more difficult the level becomes. There are also bonus levels that can be unlocked by reaching a certain rank or playing for a certain amount of time.
PaRappa the Rapper offers players the opportunity to replay levels if they fall below a certain ranking. This is one of those games that offers some challenges but feels rewarding to complete. If you’re curious to see what other gems PlayStation cooked up during the late 90s and early 2000s gaming era, check out PaRappa the Rapper.
Elite Beat Agents
DDR and PaRappa The Rapper have had a significant impact on the music-gaming genre. Without them, fans wouldn’t have been able to experience obscure Nintendo games like Elite Beat Agents. This is another rhythm action game where you’ll utilize the Nintendo DS’s stylus to tap different beat pads on the console’s bottom screen.
Dancing games are all the rage these days, and it seems like no one is safe from their charms. This game follows a group of agents who use their dancing skills to save people in trouble. Each scenario is different, but they all have a similar ending. The story is told through an anime and manga mixed format, which adds to the game’s comedic nature. If you’re looking for some light entertainment, Dancing All Night might be just what you’re looking for. ..
The songs in this game are interpretations of classic music from our world. For example, this game features music like Steriogram’s Walkie Talkie Man and ABC from the Jackson Five. In some respects, this game feels like a love letter to the stellar artists and musicians of the past and present. This game’s developers at iNiS pushed the boundaries of the Nintendo DS and crafted a timeless product. ..
Nintendo’s newest game for the 3DS and DS systems, “Fire Emblem Fates,” is a must-have for any fan of the series. The game offers a unique take on the Fire Emblem series, with three different paths that players can choose from. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the series or just getting into it, “Fire Emblem Fates” is a great choice for your next game. ..
Sayonara Wild Hearts
Rock Band
EA’s Rock Band was released in 2009, and quickly became a popular choice for people looking to get into the music industry. It features licensed music from some of the biggest names in the business, as well as fun game modes that are perfect for getting people into playing music. Plus, there are all sorts of cool peripherals available to add to the experience.
Rock Band 2 added a new mode called “The Singing Game” where players must sing along with tracks to earn points. The game also featured a new song every day, as well as an all-new set of songs that were released on November 5th, 2009.
In Rock Band, the notes scroll down a panel like Guitar Hero and have colored indicators informing you of which button to press. This game emphasizes teamwork more than Guitar Hero.
Rock Band became popular enough to warrant special collaborations with famed bands. Unfortunately, a new Rock Band title hasn’t seen the light of day. However, if you’re someone who still has an old PlayStation, Xbox, and Wii system in your household, I’d scout your neighborhood or online for a copy of Rock Band.
Beat Saber
Beat Saber is a new VR rhythm game that aims to fill the void left in Rock Band and Guitar Hero fans’ hearts. This game introduces a modernized take on both series, can be played in VR, and boasts wonderful replay value, smooth controls, and energetic gameplay that’ll make you sweat consistently. ..
The game is a lot like Fruit Ninja. You’ll be slashing your way through notes that come flying at your screens, and it encourages fitness and can help you lose weight.
Gamers who enjoy adding more things to the title via mods and updates have formed a kind-hearted community of gamers around the game since 2018. ..
Beat Saber is a party game that features rhythmic gameplay.
Thumper
Thumper is an intense rhythm game that will test your reflexes. It’s different from most games in that the devil, Thumper, will purposely try to confuse you. So be prepared to rage quit a few times before you finally get it. ..
The game offers some in-game prompts to lead players down a path, but they are mostly just there to get the player started. The game wants the player to challenge their rhythmic ability and expectations by throwing them off course. In this game, players control a metallic beetle-like monster who must propel themselves forward on a rail.
In this psychedelic platformer, you’ll be surrounded by colorful visuals and obstacles to clear. The game includes more moves for you to perform, and timing attacks make it feel invigorating.
Our top three picks for the best music-themed video games of all time are “Rock Band 3,” " Dance Dance Revolution," and “Just Dance 2016.”
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