Summary
There’s something to be said aboutthe engaging nature of rhythm gamesand how they allow players to move to the beats of a song and nail their moves immaculately. These rhythm games are sometimes combined with other gameplay loops to make for a fun and unique time that players will remember long after they’re finished with this experience.
RELATED:Forgotten PS2 Rhythm Games
However,there are many rhythm games that take no prisonerswhen it comes to forcing players into compelling gameplay loops that truly test their skills. Players need to have a good ear and nail the beat every single time if they wish to get through some of the hardest rhythm games around, especially in stages that can be absolutely brutal unless players time their moves to perfection.
7Rhythm Heaven
The DS was littered with many great rhythm games that used the handheld console’s touchscreen to great effect. One such title that became all the rage on this console isRhythm Heaven, a much-beloved title that fans still look back on fondly to this day.
The game combined a bunch of minigames with unique tones where players had to time the press of their button to the beat. This made for a tough but rewarding experience as players slowly understood the level of perfection that this title demanded from them, eventually settling into a rhythm, no pun intended.
6Thumper
An indie rhythm game with a minimalistic aesthetic,Thumperdoesn’t really seem like a very hard game… until players get past the tutorial and realize just how punishing this title really is. A single mistake will cause players to fail an entire level regardless of where they lost, which can make for a brutal affair.
RELATED:The Best Action Rhythm Games
There’s a reason why so many people called it theDark Soulsof rhythm games, as laughable as that moniker may be. Not only is the gameplay challenging yet satisfying, butThumperalso features some great tunes that will make players bob their heads to the beat as they face a game over multiple times before perfecting their input in a level.
5Geometry Dash
Geometry Dashis easily the simplest game on this list, but it’s the amazing set-dressing and tough-as-nails gameplay that has made it such a fan-favorite in the eyes of many. The game has a dedicated community that tries its hardest to get through the many tough levels in this title by the skin of their teeth while trying to set records along the way.
A single mistimed tap or button press can spell a player’s doom as their perfect run is destroyed in one fell swoop. Players are so serious about the game that they prefer playing it on PC since the feedback of a button press feels more accurate and satisfying thanjust tapping a touch screen.
4Super Hexagon
One of the hardest titles that any fan can check out,Super Hexagonoddly labels itself as a rhythm game even if timing one’s movements to the beat of the song isn’t what secures victory. However, the pulse-pounding gameplay does a great job of making the simple task of getting through a stage as engrossing as possible.
The sense of achievement that players attain from this game is stupendous, with each level upping the ante in difficulty and forcing players to sharpen their reflexes as much as possible. Players who master the game’s toughest stages can go through the first few levels and absolutely boss it, showing just how much their reflexes have been honed by playing this masterful game.
3Taiko No Tatsujin
A lot of peopledon’t know aboutTaiko no Tatsujinunless they frequent arcades. This rhythm game features two drums that players need to beat to the rhythm of a song. The easy stages are about as laidback as they come… but it’s the hardest setting inTaiko no Tatsujinthat really throws many players for a loop.
RELATED:The Best Rhythm Games On Xbox Series X/S
Players not only have to manage two different drums, but they also have to ensure that they’re correctly hitting both the inner and outer rings. Suffice it to say, managing all these things at once is easier said than done, and even the most skilled masters around have a tough time with the harder tracks in this game.
2Guitar Hero
Pretty much everyone knows aboutthe legendaryGuitar Heroseries. Each and every title in this franchise features some great songs that push players to the very limit as they attempt to master the song and its beats without losing too frequently.
The hardest songs in the series look downright insane, and it takes some great skills to master these tracks without tearing one’s hair out. It takes some time, but players who become well-versed with the gameplay loop ofGuitar Herowill find its roughest tracks to be a relative breeze… so long as they practice these songs regularly, that is.
1Dance Dance Revolution
The three lettersDDRhave become synonymous with the gaming industry, to the point where even people who aren’t up-to-date with this genre know whatDance Dance Revolutionis all about. As is the case with most tough rhythm games,the difficulty is dependent on the playerand how much they decide to test themselves.
It’s not uncommon for players to break out into a sweat as they try to nail the steps without tripping on their own feet. The hardest songs inDDRmake for a truly chaotic time, especially when two skilled players compete against each other for bragging rights!
