Line #145 Main/RhythmGame


1	[[quoteright:350:[[VideoGame/DonkeyKonga https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dkonga_battle_mode.png]]]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:♪ [[VideoGame/DonkeyKong64 Put your hands together, if you want to clap]] \
3	As we take you through this monkey rap! ♪]]
4
5	The '''Rhythm Game''' genre is a VideoGameGenre that challenges the player's sense of rhythm. Boiled down to a fundamental mechanical level, a rhythm game is in many ways just a fancy chain of [[SimonSaysMiniGame Simon Says]] and QuickTimeEvent prompts: the game will display timed commands in a sequence that the player must input accordingly and on time.[[note]]If you turn off the music while playing a rhythm game, that's basically what the game degenerates into[[/note]] Here's where the [[TitleDrop Rhythm]] comes in: the commands needs to be synced with the background music in order for the game to be a true rhythm game.
6
7	The core mechanics of a rhythm game can be dissected further to show the ways rhythm games innovate and differ from each other.
8
9	* '''Interface''': Traditionally, the commands on the screen are represented with markers, such as arrows or gems, which move towards a target zone, typically by scrolling over a clearly displayed set route. The moment when the marker hits the target zone is when the player has to perform the correct input.
10	** If the correct input is hit with good timing as the marker passes by the target zone, the marker disappears or [[MadeOfExplodium blows up]] indicating success. Missing is usually represented by the marker drifting past the target zone unharmed.
11	** Dancing games typically have no markers at all, instead providing flashcards and animations to cue the player on what to do.
12	** Singing games usually use lines that go up and down with pitch, with the goal of singing with the same pitch as the line passes through the target zone.
13	* '''Input''': The actions that the player must input varies greatly depending on the medium of the game.
14	** Arcade Rhythm Games following in the footsteps of the famous ''VideoGame/{{beatmania}}'' typically features a series of buttons that the player uses for input. Aside from a few odd cases of analogue inputs (like ''VideoGame/SoundVoltex's'' knobs) or the arcade machines that employ motion sensors, most of the input methods are just alternate forms of buttons; ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution''[='s=] famous Dance Pad are just buttons for the feet, while ''beatmania's'' turntable is a button that you press by spinning it.
15	** Console Rhythm Games typically just use the buttons on their controllers, or employ special instrument-shaped controllers (like on the famous ''VideoGame/GuitarHero'') for the same button inputs.
16	** Mobile Rhythm Games uses their touch screen for inputs. Some arcade rhythm games also use touch screens to supplement their buttons.
17	** Dancing games like ''VideoGame/JustDance'' uses full-motion cameras, with making dance moves being the equivalent of a "button pressing" action.
18	** Singing games rather obviously use a microphone for their inputs.
19	* '''Scoring/Health''': Almost all rhythm games employ scoring and/or {{Life Meter}}s to provide feedback to the players and encourage higher-level performance. Typically, the commands have a certain timing window around the moment of their input. If the player's input is made outside of the timing window, the player misses and does not receive the action's score and/or loses parts of their life meter. This means that [[ButtonMashing hitting all the buttons as fast as you can]] is a surefire way to fail as fast [[EpicFail or faster]] than doing nothing.
20	** Many games employ grading within the "hit/miss" timing window to further differentiate the scoring. The player will receive a different score depending on their action's timing accuracy. The closer the action is to the perfect timing, the higher score is.
21	** Some rhythm games also feature a bonus for maintaining a streak of notes without missing any. This is commonly called a "combo" (although it is different from {{Combos}} in the way that {{Fighting Game}}s popularized them) or a "chain". Usually this comes in the form of a ScoreMultiplier, or a bonus that is awarded on the highest combo that the player built up during the song.
22
23	Having the player perform precise rhythm-matched controls is the core of the rhythm game experience. Games that generate content according to musical rhythm, but do not force the player to perform rhythm-matching, are not rhythm games.
24
25	The genre originated in Japan and was popularized there in the 1990s, and later went on to find a core audience in Japan and other East Asian countries. In the west, rhythm games saw a particular boom in the late [[TurnOfTheMillennium Oughties]], which subsequently faded early into TheNewTens, especially in regards to rock-band-in-a-box games ''VideoGame/GuitarHero'' and ''VideoGame/RockBand''. Earlier, around the year 2000, ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution'' and its ilk became well-known through PopCulturalOsmosis and it still appears in the occasional movie with [[PacManFever varying degrees of accuracy]].
26
27	Rhythm games may feature licensed soundtracks, commissioned tracks from third-party artists, or, most rarely, original soundtrack from in-house artists (primarily for major rhythm game companies like Konami or Taito).
28
29	As an East Asian subculture, rhythm games and the music artists associated with them had an immense influence on the creation of the [[HardcoreTechno Japanese hardcore techno]] (J-core) scene.
30
31	There are typically three ways to source songs for rhythm games:
32	* '''In-house''': Songs are produced by the development team themselves. This means the developers have full rights control over these songs; the developers may either produce the songs themselves (which requires them to be proficient in both game dev and music productin), or hire musicians to exclusively produce songs for their games.
33	** This is a staple of Konami's ''VideoGame/{{BEMANI}}'' series, as they pride themselves on their in-house BEMANI Sound Team to produce a wide variety of original songs.
34	* '''Commission''': Songs are produced by outside artists but for use exclusively for the game (and collaboration events with other games, if they happen). This allows for songs to be tailor-made for the game without needing the devs to be proficient in music production or have musicians on a tight contract with them. This typically requires the rights to the songs to be split between the developers and artists.
35	* '''Licensed''': Pre-existing songs from external sources are licensed for use within the game. This means the developers don't have to learn how to produce music nor do they need to collaborate with third-party artists to produce songs that fit their vision. However, this is also typically the most expensive way to get songs for rhythm games, and licenses are often temporary, meaning that if the rights holder chooses not to renew the contract, the songs they own the rights to have to go.
36	** Many mainstream rhythm games by big-budget studios rely on licensing big-name songs for their success, to the point where it is rare for them to have original songs.
37	** Rhythm games by developers from the Asia Pacific, particularly starting in the late 2010s, often source their songs from BMS contests (BMS standing for "Be-Music Source", a file format for ''VideoGame/{{beatmania}}'' simulators, and there are frequent contests to make original songs for these simulators), due to having cheaper costs for licensing and sounding closer to the sort of music expected of rhythm games. Many of these BMS musicians may also make commissioned songs for rhythm games as well.
38
39	In TheNewTens, a new subgenre of rhythm game opened up, known as the "idol rhythm game" or "[[GachaGames gacha rhythm game]]", with ''VideoGame/LoveLiveSchoolIdolFestival'' and ''VideoGame/TheIdolmasterCinderellaGirls Starlight Stage'' being some of the earlier and more popular examples. These games typically revolve around idol groups and the player can earn cards of the charcters of varying rarity and power through the ''[[{{Lootbox}} gacha]]'' mechanic. By equipping these cards, the player can gain passive abilities (such as health recovery or a boost in point gain when hitting notes), and each card has stats that dictate how many points the player will get for each note (in additon to any possible combo bonuses). As such, simply doing well enough in these games will not earn the player a good score; it's common for an experienced rhythm game player to start one of these games, nail a perfect run, and not even fill the scoring meter halfway due to having low-power starter cards. Idol-based rhythm games are typically on mobile platforms and are free ''to start'', which makes them popular for budget-conscious players, although there are a few available on PC such as ''[[VideoGame/{{DJMAX}} Tap Sonic Top]]'' and for arcades such as an arcade port of ''LLSIF'' and ''VideoGame/{{ONGEKI}}''.
40
41	Compare {{Exergaming}}. For other interactions between music and gameplay, see MusicalGameplay and the video game section of MickeyMousing. To gush about your favorite rhythm game music, see AwesomeMusic.VideoGames.
42
43	----
44
45	[[foldercontrol]]
46
47	[[folder:Traditional Rhythm Games]]
48
49	These games are the traditional "pure" rhythm games where the core gameplay exclusively focuses on making specific inputs that are timed with the music, and the player's performance is judged solely by their accuracy of inputs and input timing. They're also known as rhythm action games or rhythm-matching games.
50
51	----
52
53	[[index]]
54	* ''VideoGame/EightBeatStory''
55	* ''VideoGame/FiveStreet''
56	* ''VideoGame/ABand''
57	* ''VideoGame/ADanceOfFireAndIce''
58	* ''VideoGame/AeroGuitar''
59	* ''VideoGame/{{Aikatsu}}''
60	** ''VideoGame/AikatsuPhotoOnStage''
61	** ''VideoGame/AikatsuStars''
62	** ''Anime/AikatsuFriends''
63	** ''Aikatsu on Parade!''
64	** ''Series/AikatsuPlanet''
65	* ''VideoGame/AdventureTimeRockstarsOfOoo''
66	* ''VideoGame/AKB48PlusMe''
67	* ''VideoGame/AlvinAndTheChipmunks''
68	* ''VideoGame/AngelicConcert''
69	* ''VideoGame/{{Arcaea}}''
70	* ''VideoGame/AudioBeats''
71	* ''VideoGame/AuditionOnline''
72	* ''VideoGame/BandYarouze''
73	* ''VideoGame/BangDreamGirlsBandParty''
74	* ''VideoGame/BattleOfTheBands''
75	* ''VideoGame/BeatSaber''
76	* ''VideoGame/{{Beatstar}}''
77	* ''VideoGame/{{Bemani}}''
78	** ''VideoGame/{{beatmania}}''
79	*** ''beatmania IIDX''
80	*** ''beatmania III''
81	** ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution''
82	*** ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolutionMarioMix''
83	** ''VideoGame/{{Gitadora}}''
84	*** ''[=Guitar Freaks=]''
85	*** ''[=DrumMania=]''
86	** ''VideoGame/{{Jubeat}}''
87	** ''VideoGame/PopNMusic''
88	** ''VideoGame/SoundVoltex''
89	** ''VideoGame/{{Nostalgia\|BEMANI}}''
90	** ''VideoGame/DanceRush''
91	** ''VideoGame/ParaParaParadise''
92	** ''VideoGame/DanceMasters''
93	** ''VideoGame/BeatStream''
94	** ''VideoGame/ReflecBeat''
95	** ''VideoGame/{{MUSECA}}''
96	** ''VideoGame/{{Keyboardmania}}''
97	* ''VideoGame/BritneysDanceBeat''
98	* ''VideoGame/ChiptuneChampion''
99	* ''VideoGame/CoolCoolToon''
100	* ''VideoGame/CrossBeats''
101	** ''crossbeats REV.'' (the arcade counterpart)
102	* ''VideoGame/{{Cytus}}''
103	** ''VideoGame/CytusII''
104	* ''VideoGame/D4DJGroovyMix''
105	* ''VideoGame/DanceCentral''
106	* ''VideoGame/DancingWithTheStars''
107	* ''VideoGame/DankiraBoysBeDANCING''
108	* ''VideoGame/DanzBase''
109	* ''VisualNovel/DearPianissimo''
110	* ''VideoGame/{{Deemo}}''
111	** ''VideoGame/DeemoII''
112	* ''VideoGame/DigitalDanceMixVol1NamieAmuro''
113	* ''VideoGame/{{DJMAX}}''
114	** ''VideoGame/DJMAXOnline''
115	** ''VideoGame/DJMAXPortable''
116	** ''VideoGame/DJMAXTechnika''
117	** ''VideoGame/TapSonic''
118	* ''VideoGame/DJWars''
119	* ''VideoGame/DonkeyKonga''
120	* ''Anime/DreamFestival''
121	* ''[[VideoGame/EnsembleStars Ensemble Stars!! Music]]''
122	* ''VideoGame/{{EZ2DJ}}'' (later rebranded as ''[=EZ2AC=]'')
123	** ''[=EZ2ON=]''
124	* ''VideoGame/FredericResurrectionOfMusic''
125	* ''VideoGame/FridayNightFunkin''
126	* ''VideoGame/GitarooMan''
127	* ''VideoGame/GooGooSoundy''
128	* ''VideoGame/GrooveCoaster''
129	* ''VideoGame/GuitarHero''
130	** ''VideoGame/DJHero''
131	** ''VideoGame/FretsOnFire'' (open-source derivative)
132	* ''VideoGame/GuitarPraise''
133	* ''VideoGame/HackersBeat''
134	* ''VideoGame/HatsuneMikuColorfulStage''
135	* ''VideoGame/HatsuneMikuProjectDiva''
136	* ''VideoGame/HeadbangersRhythmRoyale''
137	* ''VideoGame/HighSchoolMusical3SeniorYearDance''
138	* ''VideoGame/IChu''
139	* ''VideoGame/Idolish7''
140	* ''Franchise/TheIdolmaster''
141	** ''VideoGame/TheIdolmaster''
142	** ''VideoGame/TheIdolmaster2''
143	** ''VideoGame/TheIdolmasterCinderellaGirlsStarlightStage''
144	** ''VideoGame/TheIdolmasterMillionLive Theater Days''
145	** ''VideoGame/TheIdolmasterSideM Live on [=St@ge=]!''
146	** ''VideoGame/TheIdolmasterSideM GROWING STARS''
147	** ''VideoGame/TheIdolmasterShinyColors''
148	* VideoGame/InisDSRhythmGames:
149	** ''VideoGame/OsuTatakaeOuendan''
150	** ''VideoGame/EliteBeatAgents''
151	** ''[[VideoGame/{{Osu}} osu!]]'' (a fan game)
152	* ''VideoGame/JamWithTheBand''
153	* ''VideoGame/JungRhythm''
154	* ''VideoGame/JustDance''
155	* ''VideoGame/{{KALPA}}''
156	* ''VideoGame/KaraokeRevolution'' series
157	** ''VideoGame/{{Performous}}'', an open-source version (with bits of ''[=StepMania=]'' and ''Frets On Fire'' thrown in for good measure)
158	* ''VideoGame/KickBeat''
159	* ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsMelodyOfMemory''
160	* ''VideoGame/{{Lanota}}''
161	* ''VideoGame/LooneyTunesCartoonConductor''
162	* ''Franchise/LoveLive''
163	** ''VideoGame/LoveLiveSchoolIdolFestival''
164	*** ''VideoGame/LoveLiveSchoolIdolFestival2MiracleLive''
165	** ''Love Live! School idol festival ~after school ACTIVITY~''
166	** ''Love Live! School idol paradise''
167	** ''VideoGame/LoveLiveSchoolIdolFestivalAllStars''
168	* ''VideoGame/{{Lyrica}}''
169	* ''VideoGame/{{Melatonin}}''
170	* ''VideoGame/MikuFlick''
171	* ''VideoGame/MillionaireDancer''
172	* ''VideoGame/MiracleGirlsFestival''
173	* ''VideoGame/MuseDash''
174	* ''VideoGame/MusicGunGun''
175	* ''VideoGame/MusicTimes''
176	* ''VideoGame/{{Musynx}}''
177	* ''VideoGame/TheNakedBrothersBand''
178	* ''VideoGame/NekomewsNightmares''
179	* ''VideoGame/NeonDrive''
180	* ''VideoGame/NeonFM''
181	* ''VideoGame/OldSchoolMusical''
182	* ''VideoGame/OneFingerDeathPunch''
183	* ''VideoGame/OnTaMaRaMa''
184	* ''VideoGame/{{O2Jam}}'' (a Massive Multiplayer Online Rhythm Game)
185	* ''VideoGame/PaRappaTheRapper''
186	** ''VideoGame/UmJammerLammy''
187	* ''[[VideoGame/ParadigmReboot Paradigm: Reboot]]''
188	* ''VideoGame/{{Performai}}'' trilogy
189	** ''VideoGame/{{Chunithm}}''
190	** ''VideoGame/{{maimai}}''
191	** ''VideoGame/{{ONGEKI}}''
192	* ''Persona Dancing'' series:
193	** ''VideoGame/Persona4DancingAllNight''
194	** ''VideoGame/Persona3DancingInMoonlight''
195	** ''VideoGame/Persona5DancingInStarlight''
196	* ''VideoGame/PhaseShift''
197	* ''VideoGame/{{Phigros}}''
198	* ''VideoGame/PianoTiles''
199	* ''VideoGame/{{Popira}}''
200	* ''VideoGame/PopStage'' (a Massive Multiplayer Online Rhythm Game which was one of the VideoGame/{{O2Jam}} series games)
201	* ''VideoGame/PowerGigRiseOfTheSixString''
202	* ''VideoGame/PrettySeries''
203	** ''Pretty Rhythm Mini Skirt'' (The only entry in the franchise to not have an anime adaptation)
204	** ''Anime/PrettyRhythmAuroraDream''
205	** ''Anime/PrettyRhythmDearMyFuture''
206	** ''Anime/PrettyRhythmRainbowLive''
207	*** ''Anime/KingOfPrism'' '': Prism Rush!'' (unlike the rest of the franchise, this started as a trilogy of movies before getting its own game)
208	** ''VideoGame/PriPara''
209	** ''Anime/KirattoPriChan''
210	** ''Anime/WacchaPriMagi''
211	* ''VisualNovel/PrincessDebut''
212	* ''VideoGame/ProjectRapRabbit''
213	* ''VideoGame/PumpItUp''
214	* ''VideoGame/{{Quaver}}''
215	* ''VideoGame/{{RAVON}}''
216	* ''VideoGame/ReRave''
217	* ''VideoGame/RetroGrade''
218	* ''VideoGame/RhythmDoctor''
219	* ''VideoGame/RhythmHeaven''
220	** ''VideoGame/KaratekaMania''
221	** ''VideoGame/PolyrhythmMania''
222	* ''VideoGame/RhythmStar''
223	* ''VideoGame/RhythmThiefAndTheEmperorsTreasure''
224	* ''VideoGame/RhythmZone''
225	* ''VideoGame/RiftOfTheNecrodancer''
226	* ''VideoGame/{{RoBeats}}''
227	* ''VideoGame/RockBand'' (SpiritualSuccessor and [[DuelingGames rival series]] to ''VideoGame/GuitarHero'')
228	** ''VideoGame/RockBandBlitz''
229	** ''VideoGame/RockBandWorld'' (worth mentioning because it's the companion app, but otherwise doesn't count)
230	* ''VideoGame/RockRevolution'' (Konami's attempt to cash in on the ''VideoGame/GuitarHero'' and ''VideoGame/RockBand'' [[RecursiveAdaptation phenomenon]])
231	* ''VideoGame/{{Rocksmith}}''
232	* ''VideoGame/{{R2Beat}}'' (a Massive Multiplayer Online Rhythm Game with elements from VideoGame/MarioKart such as items)
233	* ''VideoGame/SambaDeAmigo''
234	* ''VideoGame/SantaRockstar''
235	* ''VideoGame/{{Scatter}}''
236	* ''VideoGame/ScratchinMelodii''
237	* ''VideoGame/SevensCode''
238	* ''VideoGame/ShowByRock''
239	* ''VisualNovel/SmileShooterFirstTicket''
240	* ''VisualNovel/{{Solfege}}''
241	* ''VideoGame/SoundSlide''
242	* ''VideoGame/SoundtrackAttack''
243	* ''VideoGame/SpaceChannel5''
244	* ''VideoGame/SpinRhythmXD''
245	* ''VisualNovel/StarMelodyYumemiDreamer''
246	* ''VideoGame/StepMania''
247	** ''VideoGame/InTheGroove''
248	** ''VideoGame/StepManiaX''
249	** ''[[VideoGame/UKSightReadingTournament UKSRT]]'', the ITG competition
250	** ''VideoGame/{{Mungyodance}}''
251	* ''VideoGame/StereoAereo''
252	* ''VideoGame/StitchJam''
253	* ''VideoGame/{{Stumper}}''
254	* ''VideoGame/SuperBeatSports''
255	* ''VideoGame/SuperCrazyGuitarManiacDeluxe''
256	* ''VideoGame/SuperstarDanceClub''
257	* ''VideoGame/SuperStarSMTown''
258	* ''VisualNovel/SymphonicRain''
259	* ''VideoGame/{{Synthesia}}'' (a rhythm game/piano learning tool)
260	* ''VideoGame/TadpoleTreble''
261	* ''VideoGame/TaikoNoTatsujin''
262	* ''VideoGame/TheatrhythmFinalFantasy''
263	* ''VideoGame/ToneSphere''
264	* ''VideoGame/TokyoSeventhSisters''
265	* ''VideoGame/TromboneChamp''
266	* ''VideoGame/TsukinoParadise''
267	* ''VideoGame/TwistedWonderland''
268	* ''VideoGame/UnisonRebelsOfRhythmAndDance''
269	* ''VideoGame/UtaNoPrincesamaShiningLive''
270	* ''VideoGame/VibRibbon''
271	** ''VideoGame/MojibRibbon''
272	* ''[[VideoGame/VividStasis vivid/stasis]]''
273	* ''VideoGame/{{VOEZ}}''
274	* ''VideoGame/VuvuHero''
275	* ''VideoGame/{{Wacca}}''
276	* ''VideoGame/WeCheer''
277	* ''VideoGame/WGiBeat''
278	* ''VideoGame/WorldDaiStarYumeNoStellarium''
279	[[/index]]
280	[[/folder]]
281
282	[[folder:Non-Traditional Rhythm Games]]
283
284	%%Temporary category; more category splitting needed
285	[[index]]
286	* ''VideoGame/OneHundredFourty''
287	* ''VideoGame/AkihabaraFeelTheRhythm''
288	* ''VideoGame/BeforeTheEcho'' (formerly ''Sequence'')
289	* ''VideoGame/BollywoodWannabe''
290	* ''VideoGame/BreakBlocks''
291	* ''VideoGame/BustAGroove''
292	* ''VideoGame/{{Chime}}''
293	* ''VideoGame/FitnessBoxingSwitch''
294	* ''VideoGame/FloorKids'' (the player's inputs are rhythm-timed, but the inputs themselves are not specified, and any input is valid as long as they're on time)
295	* ''VideoGame/{{Frequency\|Harmonix}}''
296	* ''VideoGame/GalMetal''
297	* ''VideoGame/GeometryDash''
298	* ''VideoGame/GoodbyeVolcanoHigh''
299	* ''VideoGame/HarmoKnight''
300	* ''VideoGame/AHighlandSong''
301	* ''VideoGame/JungleRumble''
302	* ''VideoGame/LostInHarmony''
303	* ''VideoGame/MelodysEscape''
304	* ''VideoGame/{{Micron}}''
305	* ''VideoGame/{{Patapon}}'' (the game is fundamentally a tactical game with rhythm-based inputs)
306	* ''VideoGame/{{Ratatan}}''
307	* ''VideoGame/RhythmNFace'' (the player's inputs are rhythm-timed, but the inputs do not have to follow what the game specifies; any input is valid as long as the endpoint is the same)
308	* ''VideoGame/SayonaraWildHearts''
309	* ''VideoGame/{{Soundboxing}}''
310	* ''VideoGame/{{Thumper}}''
311	* ''VideoGame/{{Wandersong}}''
312	[[/folder]]
313
314	[[folder:Action Games with Rhythm-Matching Controls]]
315
316	These games are hybrids of traditional {{Action Game}}s and rhythm games. Their fundamental gameplay involves a player-controlled character performing actions within a 2D/3D game space, but one or more parts of the player character's controls must be performed in sync with the music's rhythm for maximum effectiveness.
317
318	----
319	* ''VideoGame/SixtyFourPointZero''
320	* ''VideoGame/{{Against}}''
321	* ''VideoGame/AgentKlutz''
322	* ''VideoGame/{{Airtone}}''
323	* ''VideoGame/{{Audioshield}}''
324	* ''VideoGame/BeatsFever''
325	* ''VideoGame/BPMBulletsPerMinute'' (hybrid with first-person shooter)
326	* ''VideoGame/BitTrip''
327	* ''VideoGame/BulletAudyssey''
328	* ''VideoGame/CryptOfTheNecroDancer'' (hybrid with top-down action game)
329	** ''VideoGame/CadenceOfHyrule''
330	* ''VideoGame/AFrogsTale''
331	* ''VideoGame/GiraffeAndAnnika''
332	* ''VideoGame/{{Hamsterdam}}''
333	* ''VideoGame/HextechMayhem''
334	* ''VideoGame/HiFiRush'' (hybrid with stylish action)
335	* ''VideoGame/MadRatDead'' (hybrid with side-scrolling platformer)
336	* ''VideoGame/MaestroJumpInMusic''
337	* ''VideoGame/MetalHellsinger''
338	* ''VideoGame/{{Minubeat}}''
339	* ''VideoGame/MusicEscape''
340	* ''VideoGame/{{NOISZ}}'' (hybrid with vertical-scrolling shooter)
341	** ''[[VideoGame/NoiszStarlivht NOISZ STΔRLIVHT]]'' (spinoff of the above with more focus on the rhythm elements, featuring four lanes of notes rather than just tapping to the rhythm)
342	* ''VideoGame/PistolWhip''
343	* ''VideoGame/RhythmDestruction''
344	* ''VideoGame/SongBirdSymphony''
345	* ''VideoGame/TempZero''
346	* ''VideoGame/UrbanoLegendsDebut'' (hybrid with WesternRPG)
347	* ''VideoGame/WaveCircles''
348
349	[[/index]]
350	[[/folder]]
351
352	[[folder:Action Games with Rhythm-Matched Environments]]
353
354	These games are primarily 2D/3D action games (usually platforming games) where the player characters have free (but usually autoscrolling), non-rhythm-locked controls, but the environments are structured in such a way as to force the player to perform precise rhythm-matched actions.
355
356	Because the rhythm matching in these games stems not from how the player character is controlled, but from how the environment is constructed[[note]]One could theoretically create an environment in these games with no rhythm-matching[[/note]], they are usually considered to be [[MusicalGameplay music games]] rather than "proper" rhythm games.
357
358	----
359
360	* ''VideoGame/ABCAudioreactiveBeatCircle''
361	* ''VideoGame/{{Aebal}}''
362	* ''VideoGame/{{Audiosurf}}''
363	* ''VideoGame/BeatHazard''
364	* ''VideoGame/GeometryDash''
365	* ''VideoGame/JustShapesAndBeats''
366	* ''VideoGame/ProjectArrhythmia''
367	* ''VideoGame/{{Soundodger}}''
368	* ''VideoGame/{{Vectronom}}''
369
370	[[/folder]]
371
372	[[folder:Games with Rhythm Game Mini Games]]
373
374	In these games, the core gameplay mechanic is not related to rhythm games, but these games feature {{Mini Game}}s that play like traditional rhythm games.
375
376	To aid with documentation, please also at least identify the name of the rhythm game minigame when adding examples to this section. Please also make sure that musical rhythm plays a part in the minigame, and that the minigame isn't just a series of [=QTEs=] unrelated to the music.
377
378	----
379
380	* ''VideoGame/ThreeOutOfTen'': Episode ''Welcome to the Club'' has Joan challenge someone to a game of Cow Catcher. While that is going on, the player instead plays a rhythm game pressing keys in line with Joan's singing.
381	* ''VideoGame/AntiIdleTheGame'': ''Mute Mute Revolution'', which is a rhythm game but--as the title suggests--with [[ParodiedTrope no music]].
382	* ''VideoGame/BishiBashi'': Several of the minigames involve rhythm mechanics, including parodies of Creator/{{Konami}}'s own music games, like ''[=DanceDanceRevolution=]'' and ''[=GuitarFreaks=]''.
383	* ''VideoGame/BrooktownHigh''
384	* ''VideoGame/BrutalLegend'': Using the game's Guitar Solo skills involves a brief rhythm minigame.
385	* ''VideoGame/{{Bully}}'': Music class minigame
386	* ''VideoGame/CharlieMurder'': The game's flashbacks to the band playing their songs, alongside Paul's StartOfDarkness.
387	* ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry1'': Candy's Dance Studio (exclusive to the GBA remake)
388	* ''VideoGame/{{Drakengard}}'': The [[spoiler: TrueFinalBoss]] is a Rhythm Battle.
389	* ''VideoGame/Drakengard3'': The [[spoiler: TrueFinalBoss is again]] a rhythm minigame.
390	* ''VideoGame/DreamCClub'': Karaoke minigame.
391	* ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaTriggerHappyHavoc'': Bullet Time Battle
392	* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIIRemake'': The Honey Bee Inn dance performance that Cloud is required to do in order to [[spoiler:win Andrea's approval and become his selection for Corneo's girls]] is designed as a rhythm minigame. Doing well nets you Andrea's earrings and a trophy.
393	* ''VideoGame/GiraffeAndAnnika'': The game alternates between 3D adventure-platforming sections and rhythm game boss fights.
394	* ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoSanAndreas'': Dancing dates and lowrider competition
395	* ''Dodo Re Mi'', part of ''[[VideoGame/TheJackboxPartyPack The Jackbox Party Pack 10]]''.
396	* ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII'': Atlantica Song Missions.
397	* ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsBirthBySleep'': Ice Cream Beat.
398	* ''VideoGame/KirbyTripleDeluxe'': Dedede's Drum Dash. It evolved into its own standalone game: ''Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe''.
399	* ''VideoGame/TheLEGOMovieVideogame'': "Bricksburg Construction" and "Put the Thing on the Thing".
400	* In ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiBowsersInsideStory'', one of the arm minigames requires you to hit balls of energy with Mario and Luigi to the same beat that they were fired.
401	* ''VideoGame/MarioParty'':
402	** ''VideoGame/MarioPartyStarRush'': Rhythm Recital is a side mode where up to four players select a song from various classic ''Mario'' games, select one of four instruments, and then play the song. Notes fly towards each player at different times depending on their instrument of choice, and they must either press A or tap the touch screen with the right timing to hit as many notes as possible. At the end of the song, they will receive a grade based on their performance.
403	** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioParty'': Sound Stage features a variety of Rhythm minigames that all utilize the Joy-Con motion controls. Each of the minigames require players to move the Joy-Con in certain ways with the correct timing to hit different targets, with players scoring better based on the accuracy of their timing.
404	* ''VideoGame/MarioAndSonicAtTheOlympicGames'' (some of the synchronized events)
405	* ''VideoGame/Mother3'': When attacking an enemy, the player can perform combo attacks by striking to the beat of the background music.
406	* ''VideoGame/{{Oddity}}'' has the same mechanic as ''Mother 3''.
407	* ''VideoGame/MyLittlePonyAMaretimeBayAdventure''
408	* ''VideoGame/TheNightmareBeforeChristmasOogiesRevenge'': Boss battles have optional (except for the final boss) rhythm sequences for massive damage.
409	* '' VisualNovel/PrincessDebut''
410	* ''[[VideoGame/RavingRabbids Rayman: Raving Rabbids]]''
411	* ''VideoGame/SkylandersTrapTeam'': The Skaletone Showdowns accessible from the Academy and progressively unlocked through playing the campaign.
412	* ''VideoGame/SlyCooper'':
413	** ''VideoGame/SlyCooperAndTheThieviusRaccoonus'': Mz Ruby boss battle.
414	** ''VideoGame/Sly2BandOfThieves'': Tango dances with Neyla and Carmelita in "A Starry Eyed Encounter".
415	** ''VideoGame/Sly3HonorAmongThieves'': Bentley's duet with Octavio in "Opera of Fear".
416	** ''VideoGame/SlyCooperThievesInTime'': Murray's Geisha Dance and Carmelita's Belly Dance.
417	* ''VideoGame/SongbirdSymphony'': The game alternates between platforming sections and rhythm game boss fights.
418	* ''VideoGame/SonicPinballParty'': The ''VideoGame/SambaDeAmigo'' pinball table's "Song Play" and "Fever mode" both involve performing actions timed to the music's rhythm.
419	* ''VideoGame/Splatoon1'': Squid Beatz.
420	* ''VideoGame/Splatoon2'': Squid Beatz 2.
421	* ''VideoGame/ToejamAndEarl in Panic on Funkotron'': Jam Out minigame.
422	* ''VisualNovel/TokimekiMemorial 2 Substories: Dancing Summer Vacation'', a VisualNovel containing the ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution Tokimeki Mix'', which is a GameWithinAGame serving as the center of [=DSV=]'s main storyline and as [=DSV=]'s mini-game.
423	* ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' The Green Soul which is used during the battle with Undyne functions like one [[note]] [[spoiler: She uses upgraded attacks in the Genocide Run with the same mechanics]] [[/note]]
424	* ''VideoGame/TheUrbz'': Soul Music minigame
425	* ''VideoGame/WarioWare''
426	* ''VideoGame/{{Yakuza}}'': Karaoke minigame (part of the series since VideoGame/Yakuza3)
427	** ''VideoGame/Yakuza0'': Disco minigame.
428	** ''VideoGame/Yakuza5'': Dance Battles.
429	* ''VideoGame/ZackAndWikiQuestForBarbarosTreasure'': Bonelich's minigame
430	[[/folder]]
431
432	[[folder:In-Universe Examples]]
433
434	----
435
436	* ''Literature/ThePetGirlOfSakurasou'': ''Nyaboron'', the video game that the residents of Sakura Hall develop for the SchoolFestival, is a CoOpMultiplayer game where the audience plays by all raising one or both hands, or shouting, as instructed by the screen and Nanami's voiceover. It's less focused on music, though.
437	* ''Film/ScottPilgrimVsTheWorld'' has ''Ninja Ninja Revolution'', a ninja-themed AffectionateParody of ''Dance Dance Revolution'' played by Scott and Knives twice in the movie where the players must make "ninja poses" in time with the music instead of stepping on arrows.
438	[[/folder]]

Context Main / RhythmGame