We’re all suckers for a good soundtrack, and video games are no exception. Whether a club mix, rock anthem, or hip-hop beat, we’re movin’ and groovin’.

But the rhythm video game genre, which really found its footing (no pun intended) in the late 1990s, put gamers in complete control of their favorite toe-tapping tunes. Some releases utilize traditional video game controllers, encouraging players to press buttons in pleasing patterns. Other more arcade-oriented titles incorporate dance mats, plastic bongos, turntables, tappable tiles, and countless other tools that transform awesome audio into an immersive experience.

Check out our top 10 rhythm game picks of all time. Go dust off that wireless drum kit you’ve crammed into storage — the beat won’t carry itself!

PaRappa the Rapper (1997)

Like moths to a flame, my family regularly gathered around the PlayStation 1 to rap along with PaRappa the Rapper. Nearly 30 years later, my parents still know that kicking and punching really is all in the mind. Gamers lead PaRappa through tweendom, tapping buttons rhythmically to combat aggressive bullies and capture the heart of his floral friend, Sunny Funny. The game’s quirky, Flat Stanley-esque animation style (my sincere gratitude to artist Rodney Alan Greenblat) added whimsical, grade-school charm.

Rock Band 2 (2008)

No rhythm game franchise is quite as social as Rock Band. The IP’s sophomore entry, Rock Band 2, boosted competitiveness with added “Battle of the Bands” capabilities. Additionally, improved device mechanics, training modes, and ultra-customizable setlists and gameplay modes. The success of your four-person ensemble — singer, bass player, guitarist, and drummer — hinged upon the entire band’s performance. Your score will suffer if your singer can’t carry a tune in a bucket.

Amplitude (2016)

Harmonix’s roots have always been in rhythm gaming. Before the studio was known for Guitar Hero and Rock Band, they developed 2003’s Amplitude for the PlayStation 2. Plastic instrument professionals will feel at home as they match the beat of an iconic soundtrack featuring Weezer, Blink 182, David Bowie, and more. Amplitude requires players to match the tempo of each individual instrument; maintaining the guitar, bass, drums, and vocals adds a sense of controlled chaos as you complete each song and earn a high score.

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DDRMAX Dance Dance Revolution 6thMix (2002)

Wrassle that dance mat out of the closet. The controller was more challenging to fold than a top sheet, but no millennial sleepover was complete without a fun dance or two. The IP’s best, DDRMAX Dance Dance Revolution 6thMix, was jam-packed with dance tracks of all tempos, genres, and difficulty levels. Thankfully, unlike some other rhythm games, a poor performance won’t get you booed off the stage. What’s more, you’ll get some serious cardio in.

Donkey Konga (2003)

A good slap on one of those branded plastic bongos sounded like the thwack of a dodgeball, though Donkey Konga won’t leave a mark anywhere but your heart. The lighthearted GameCube title was the brainchild of those behind the successful rhythm game Taiko no Tatsujin and included family-friendly singalong tracks like “Louie, Louie” and “Rock Lobster.” Preserve those palms from the start, though, because this game gets tricky pretty quickly.

Crypt of the NecroDancer (2015)

Dance your way through a dark dungeon in Crypt of the NecroDancer, a successful roguelike rhythm game with uptempo tracks from video game music mastermind Danny Baranowsky (Super Meat Boy, The Binding of Isaac). You don’t have to do the dancing in this one; the game’s compatible with a dance pad, controller, or keyboard. The game’s runaway success resulted in two spinoffs: Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring The Legend of Zelda in 2019 and Rift of the NecroDancer in 2025.

Um Jammer Lammy (1999)

UmJammer Lammy was a girl group-centered spinoff of PaRappa the Rapper. In this animated treasure from artist Greenblat, gamers control anxious guitarist Lammy as she struggles to make it to her band MilkCan’s first big show. Like in its predecessor, players must rhythmically press PlayStation controller buttons to progress. Stay mindful of your ranking; even missing just a couple can quickly take your score from the stage-passing “Cool” or “Good” to “Awful.”

Trombone Champ (2022)

This hilarious indie rhythm game dominated social media and memes after its release, a trend that propelled it to more widespread commercial success. Three years after its release, gamers can still scroll TikTok or YouTube Shorts and tune into trombone-playing hopefuls hitting sour notes. Game mechanics are similar to those of other genre entries — gamers (in this case, trombonist trainees) strategically time button taps with on-screen prompts to keep pace. The cherry on top? No spit valve!

Beat Saber (2019)

Spin a flag in your high school marching band? This is likely where you’ll shine. In this virtual reality rhythm game, helmet-fitted players don two small controllers (one in each hand) that act as saber handles. With a red saber in your left hand and blue on your right, you’re tasked with tossing, twirling, and tapping color-coded bricks as they blaze by. Be mindful, though: the jump between difficulty settings can be pretty intense. Ensure you’re limbered up and ready for the next stage. Keep a water bottle nearby, but everything else at arm’s length, or your clenched fist might meet the television.

Guitar Hero 3 (2007)

The Guitar Hero 3 soundtrack is an all-timer. The game features one of the genre’s best track lists and boasts celebrity cameos from Rage Against the Machine musician Tom Morello, Guns n’ Roses shredder Slash, and Poison’s Bret Michaels. It’s been nearly two decades since its release, but streamers still try to tackle Brit metal band DragonForce’s notoriously difficult track “Through the Fire and Flames.” I’m not nearly as dextrous as I once was, but I’ll always cherish the satisfying click-clack sound of a guitar controller.

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