10 Best Rhythm Games On Steam

Key Takeaways

• Rhythm games are diverse, offering different gameplay styles for newbies and veterans alike.
• Trombone Champ offers a deceptively challenging experience with silly yet solid mechanics.
• Beat Saber is a standout VR title, offering addictive gameplay and endless custom content.

Rhythm games are perfect for when you’re short on time or don’t want to start another RPG, you have no chance of finishing.The genre prides itself on relentless difficulty at the higher levels, but the best titles have experiences you’ll enjoy regardless of your skill level.

For every banger rhythm game, there’s another that sounds hideously off-pitch. With this in mind, here’s a selection of the ten best rhythm games on Steam so you can rock out in style.

These titles are in no particular order, and I’ve tried to incorporate a broad range of gameplay styles. There are plenty of 4-Key rhythm games, for example, but the list would be pretty boring if I only included those. Whether you’re new to the genre or a hardcore veteran, you’ll find something worth playing in this list.

10

Trombone Champ

“Tromboner”

When it came out, I wrote off Trombone Champ as a low-effort joke title, but I couldn’t have been further from the truth.

Trombone Champ is a silly yet deceptively tricky rhythm game that puts your dexterity to the ultimate test.

You operate the Trombone with your mouse, and playing well is far more challenging than in your average 4-Key titles. You’ll improve with practice, but part of the fun in Trombone Champ is butchering well-known tunes.

Trombone Champ doesn’t take itself seriously, but it sports solid mechanics and unlockables, and the presentation is top-notch.

The title is littered with jokes, and it’s hard to get frustrated, even if you’re terrible at it.

9

Muse Dash

Accessible With Mountains Of Content

Muse Dash is easily the most colorful game on the list and boasts one of the most extensive and varied song selections.

You play the rhythm game with two keys and tap in time with incoming enemies to defeat them. It sounds easy, but there are some fiendish patterns to master, and Muse Dash should provide a fair challenge regardless of your skill level.

There are plenty of new songs and characters to unlock, and you do so through regular gameplay. The difficulty is firm but fair, and Muse Dash showcases so many different music genres that there’s something for everyone.

The only downside to Muse Dash is the Steam Store listing, which is a little confusing. Muse Dash is always pretty cheap, but you will need the Muse Plus DLC for the whole library.

8

Crypt of the Necrodancer

When Rhythm Meets Roguelite

We’re bending the definition of “rhythm game” with this entry, but as Necrodancer is completely unplayable if you don’t follow the beat, I think it qualifies.

Crypt of the Necrodancer is a rogue-lite where you battle monsters, explore dungeons, and deal with a shopkeeper who’s forever singing.

Every level has a rhythm, and you must move around on the beat. Monster attacks have timings, and battles become dances as you hop around to the music.

It’s a unique concept executed beautifully, and the rogue-lite progression means you’re always working toward something new.

Don’t let the simple visuals fool you. Crypt of the Necrodancer is easily one of the most complex games on this list. If you own a Nintendo Switch, you can try Cadence of Hyrule, which is basically Necrodancer with a Legend of Zelda twist.

7

DJ Max Respect V

Classic 4-6 Key Gameplay

DJ Max Respect V is a massive rhythm game with all the modern trimmings and an overwhelming library of songs.

The gameplay itself is pretty straightforward. Press the corresponding button when the prompt hits the line at the bottom of the screen. You can play with 4, 5, or 6 Key variants, and the difficulty ranges from simple to borderline insanity.

While the actual rhythm game itself isn’t flashy, the same can’t be said about the visuals. DJ Max is a gorgeous game and easily one of the prettiest on the list. If you want high-production value, this is an easy recommendation.

There’s a lot of DLC available for DJ Max Respect V, which is quite off-putting if you look at the list on Steam. It’s a deal breaker for some, but the base game offers plenty of content, and the song packs frequently go on sale.

6

Old School Musical

A Silly But Solid Rhythm Game

I rarely hear people talk about Old School Musical, but it’s a superb rhythm game, and you may fall in love with it if you’re a fan of Chiptunes.

OSM’s gameplay is simple. There’s a cursor in the middle of the screen, and you press arrows when they reach it. While a basic premise, there are plenty of challenging charts, and OSM uses visual gimmicks to make some levels far more complex. Visual trickery is pretty common in arcade rhythm games, so it’s a really nice touch to see it here.

The game is also “laugh out loud” funny at times. The campaign is ridiculous; the developers have an obsession with chickens, and there’s a generous sprinkling of old-school gaming jokes.

5

Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Mega Mix+

A Must-Have For Vocaloid Fans

Hatsune Miku is a phenomenon, and you’ve likely heard of her even if you’re not into rhythm games. There’s a vast selection of Hatsune Miku games, and Project DIVA Mega Mix+ stands out among the best. There’s even a VR title if you own a headset.

The gameplay is simple. Hit the corresponding buttons as they appear on the screen. Every song has a unique and vibrant music video playing in the background, and the charts are well-designed.

Music variety is a little lacking (it’s Vocaloid or nothing), but fans of Hatsune Miku will love every second.

I’m not into the Vocaloid or costume parts of the game, but I can still recommend Project DIVA, as the rhythm game is solid enough to stand on its own.

4

Beat Saber

The Reason To Own VR

You need a VR Headset to enjoy Beat Saber, but it’s a phenomenal title and arguably one of VR gaming’s “killer” apps. Instead of tapping keys to music, you wield glowing swords and slash at cubes as they come toward you.

All this happens in a neon-lit VR world with the music blasting straight into your ears. The premise is wonderfully simple, and there’s no right or wrong way to play. You can keep your hands by your sides or swing for the rafters.

Don’t get me wrong, you look ridiculous flailing around with a headset on, no matter how graceful you think you are. That said, Beat Saber is addictive, accessible, and offers an absurd amount of custom content.

If you want to introduce a casual player to VR or Rhythm games, Beat Saber is one of the best ways to do it.

3

Rhythm Doctor

They Need Your Rhythm Skills In The ER!

Rhythm Doctor is a one-of-a-kind title with a unique soundtrack and surprisingly heartfelt story. You work in a hospital and administer treatment to patients with rhythmic tapping.

The premise sounds dumb, but before you know it, you’re juggling multiple patients and poly-rhythms. Rhythm Doctor also has a generous helping of visual gimmicks to keep you on your toes.

You only press the Space Bar in Rhythm Doctor, but 7th Beat Games take that design choice as far as it can go. The soundtrack bounces from Glitch Hop to fully voiced songs. Even the hospital’s resident animals chip in!

Few Rhythm Games manage the delicate balance between story and gameplay like Rhythm Doctor, and it’s a must-have for fans of the genre.

2

Pistol Whip

If John Wick Was A Rhythm Game

This is the last VR title to make the list, but I can’t talk about banging rhythm games without mentioning Pistol Whip.

Cloudhead Game’s Pistol Whip tasks the player with shooting bad guys to the music while ducking and weaving to avoid gunfire. You earn more points if you shoot on the beat and the soundtrack is full of deliciously thumpy dance tracks.

Content has come at a steady pace since Pistol Whip was released in November 2019. At the time of writing, there are dozens of tracks, story missions, and custom music support.

The world constantly scrolls toward you in Pistol Whip, which can be disorienting as a new VR player. Still, you’ll get the hang of it and feel like John Wick once you do. Pistol Whip is also available on PSVR if you own a PS5.

1

A Dance of Fire and Ice

Deceptively Difficult, But Rewarding

A Dance of Fire and Ice is lovingly known as ADOFAI by the community, and it’s savagely difficult.

I dig the concept. You play as two spheres that rotate around each other, and you press the Space Bar whenever one goes over a tile. The music determines your speed, and the timing changes based on the stage path.

There’s nothing else on the market quite like ADOFAI, and purists can spend hundreds of hours on it as the skill ceiling is hidden among the clouds.

I recommend other games on this list if you’re new to the genre or just want to vibe. If you want to get smacked around rhythm game style, welcome to ADOFAI.