5. O2Jam
Released in 2003, O2Jam is one of the most iconic rhythm games, one of the first of its kind, allowing gamers to use their keyboard to match the rhythm, similar to Osu!Mania. It blends the Arcade and Rythm genre perfectly and captured the early generation of gamers before the likes of Osu! and others were ever around.
Although it was formerly loved, O2Jam is most inactively, occasionally being updated on the AppStore for IOS and Android gamers. Hopefully, we will see a remastered version in the near future.
An infamous O2Jam player ‘Sern888’ Livestreaming O2Jam. He’s now moved over to Osu!Mania
4. Dance Dance Revolution
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWlROkvqRC4&ab_channel=Konami
Another early adopter tested first in Japan in the late 1990s, Dance Dance Revolution became famous for its incredibly talented arcade players. Unlike O2Jam, DDR made your feet the cursor as you played on a light-up ‘stage’. The aim of the game was to match your tapping with the on-screen cues to keep your combo going and become the rhythm master.
DDR was unique for its era, long before the Wii came around it was at the forefront of keeping the user fit while enjoying a video game, a trend that waited several years before coming as mainstream as we see today.
A classic DDR setup in an arcade, the two players use the handrail behind them to keep them stable.
3. Rocksmith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qEP4lC3E1k&ab_channel=PlayStation
Released in 2012, Rocksmith ushered in the era of Rythm games which used real-life instruments to play. Unlike similar titles such as Guitar Hero, Rocksmith allowed virtually any electric guitar to be used for gameplay instead of a specific ‘toy’ guitar.
Rocksmith revolutionized Rythm games as players could use the game to specifically train certain songs that they were having trouble playing in real life. It was more than a game, it actually helped beginners and experts improve, becoming a virtual guitar teachers for millions all over the world.
Instead of displaying random notes, Rocksmith uses real chords to keep the gamer in rhythm and help them hone their playing skills.
2. Beat Saber
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL39Sg2AqWg&ab_channel=BeatSaberOfficial
The new generation of rhythm games, played completely in (VR) virtual reality, completely immersing the gamer in rhythm goodness as he becomes one with the rhythm. Released in 2019, it was the first of its kind and was the spearhead of the VR gaming industry, showing gamers how compelling even the simplest games can be in virtual reality.
The game’s controls act similar to a Wii setup, using two handheld controllers to hit the notes at the right time and from the right angle. At the top level, Beat Saber becomes a full-on workout with notes flying at you from all angles and speeds.
If you are a gamer who cares about the immersive experience, this is the one for you as you will feel compelled to dodge, dive and saber your way out of each song, like a true Jedi.
1. Osu! (PC only)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5gy34k3RI0&ab_channel=osu%21
Osu! Is a free-to-play rhythm game, created by ‘Peppy’, with four game modes to choose from. These include Osu! Standard, Mania, Taiko, and Catch! It is a completely community-driven game, with all maps being made by the community inside the in-game editor, which creates a strong bond between the community, mappers, and high-level players.
Osu! Is one of those games where you simply can’t put it down once you’ve started, endless hours will be spent practicing and refining your tapping skills to compete with yourself and others to gain those sweet PP points, the game’s currency for each score.
Osu! Has the biggest and most active community out of all the games mentioned above, with constant live streams, events, and competitions keeping the community engaged and growing. With such a great community aspect, it’s hard to discount Osu! as one of, if not the best, rhythm game to date.
