Fortnite Festivalis a fun and simple delight for any music-rhythm game fan. Harmonix’s collaboration with Epic Games borrows heavily from the famed music game developer’s playbook while infusing the team mechanics and quirky atmosphere that made Fortnite a hit. However, once you’ve cleared the Festival Pass and received your rewards, there’s not much left to do.
So, what else can you play while you wait for that next Festival Pass season to drop? We found ten stellar games that perfectly encapsulate the arcade rhythm game experience by prioritizing the music first and offering plenty of challenges. There’s no filler in these titles, just well-designed rhythm game mechanics and enough content to keep you tapping, strumming, or drumming to the beat all night!
Rock Bandis the magnum opus of Harmonix’s prior work. The company gained critical acclaim and industry recognition for its early games, Frequency and Amplitude. This recognition led to collaborations with Konami and Activision, who published Karaoke Revolution andGuitar Hero, respectively.
The mechanics behind Karaoke Revolution and Guitar Hero are evident in Rock Band’s pitch recognition and guitar controller. However,Rock Band adds a drum controller and a bass trackfor the guitar controller to the mix. Combined with a vast music catalog of licensed tunes from the past 50 years, Rock Band makes a fantastic musical multiplayer experience!
Publisher(s):Beat Games
ESRB:E for Everyone
Do you own a Meta Quest or PSVR headset? In that case,Beat Saberis a must-play. Thisvirtual reality gamehas you slice incoming notes with two lightsabers. When you’re not piercing notes like a musical Jedi, you’ll dodge giant obstacles and avoid bombs. As one would guess, Beat Saber is a good source of exercise.
Don’t let the physical exertion perturb you. Beat Saber is a delight to behold. Stages burst with color, and each swing of your sabers feels incredibly satisfying. WithDLC packs featuring Billie Eilish, BTS, Linkin Park, Lady Gaga, Lizzo, and more, Beat Saber will nourish your rhythm game cravings.
Publisher(s):Harmonix Music Systems, Sony Interactive Entertainment
Suppose you enjoy Fortnite Festival, but you need a more significant challenge. In that case, we recommend you check outAmplitude (2016). This rhythm shooter is an intense test of skill and management, especially on higher difficulties. The reboot of the 2003 PS2 classic featuresgorgeous visuals, an original soundtrack, and a new team mode.
In Amplitude, you control a spaceship-like vehicle traversing through lanes representing different song components (guitar, bass, vocals, drums, synth, etc.). Your job is to shoot the notes on each track. Finishing a phrase without misses eliminates the track for a handful of measures. Eliminating tracks in succession keeps the song playing, which is the ultimate goal.
Publisher(s):NEOWIZ
ESRB:T for Teen
TheDJMAX seriesis any electronic music fan’s dream game. Neowiz’s DJ simulator tasks you with hitting keys in time with descending note markers to emulate the various sounds in each song. If plunking on a keyboard controller to recreate sound effects seems familiar, you may have heard of a little game called Beatmania by Konami.
Unfortunately, Beatmania is almost exclusively a Japanese franchise (with one ill-fated North American launch on the PS2).DJMAX Respect Vis the closest thing to Beatmania that Western gamers can play at home. However, this title is an excellent stand-in featuring arobust song list, in-depth options, tons of cosmetic goodies, and rock-solid developer support!
Publisher(s):Warner Music Group
ESRB:T for Teen (based on AVICII Invector rating)
Invectoris a deceptively simple rhythm game. While it may look like an Amplitude clone at first glance, you’ll soon realize there is more under the spacecraft’s hood. While Amplitude focuses on reconstructing a song, Invector takes each song in its catalog andtranslates it into an obstacle course. There are several twists and turns (literally).
Like several titles in our list, Invector is a gameforelectronic music fansbyelectronic music fans. The original title wasdeveloped in collaboration with the late Swedish DJ Avicii, known for his 2013 single “Wake Me Up.” Its sequel, Invector: Rhythm Galaxy, continues this legacy with a catalog featuring hitmakers like Charlie Puth and up-and-comers of the electronic music scene.
Publisher(s):PM Studios, Acttil
South Korea has given us several music-rhythm game hits, such as theDance Dance Revolutioncompetitor Pump It Up and Beatmania’s peer DJMAX. Superbeat Xonic is another example. This title premiered on the PS Vita before launching on home platforms like the PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Unlike most rhythm titles with notes descending a track,Superbeat’s targets travel from the center outward in a wheel. You’ll have to use your controller’s thumbsticks to match sliding targets while accurately hitting notes. With so many targets arresting your focus, you may find yourself seeing in tunnel vision!
Publisher(s):Super Spin Digital
Music sims can feel repetitive after a while. After all, how many times can one tap notes on a track without getting bored? Fortunately,Spin Rhythm XDgives the genre a whole newspin. (And no, we won’t apologize for that pun.)
In Spin Rhythm XD, you’ll steer a red and blue wheel to align with notes traveling down the screen. Higher difficulty levels introduce new button prompts that add complexity and depth to gameplay. Spin Rhythm XD is a gem thatharkens back to arcade classics, like Beatmania, DDR, and Guitar Hero,while keeping the experience fresh.
Publisher(s):BANDAI NAMCO
ESRB:E for Everyone (based on Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival)
Do you consistently take on the drum track while playing Fortnite Festival? Then why not give theTaiko no Tatsujinseries a try? This charming rhythm game emulates the experience ofplaying a traditional Japanese percussion instrument. And it features twocute-as-a-button mascot characters!
One of the best parts of Taiko no Tatsujin is its versatility. This series always curates a diverse music selection, including anime theme songs, classical pieces, the latest J-POP hits, and even music from popular Bandai Namco games, like Tekken!
Here’s a fun fact. Taiko no Tatsujin hastwo RPG titles exclusively for the Nintendo Switch. Check out theTaiko Rhythmic Adventure Packif you want to embark on a marvelous musical journey!
Publisher(s):Pianista Company, Ltd.
Pop, rock, and dance music seem to have a stronghold on the rhythm game genre. But what about those of us who wish to play along to some Bach, Mozart, or Debussy?Pianistahas you covered, featuringfamiliar rhythm game mechanics with a presentation straight out of the 18th century!
Pianista works well as a free-to-play mobile title. However, the Nintendo Switch port offers plenty of bang for your buck. This version includes local multiplayer, a catalog of 77 songs by 23 different composers, and an exclusive encyclopedia that teaches you about each composer’s life and career.
Rocksmith
Rocksmith+
Platform(s):Windows, iOS, Android (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S - TBA 2024)
Publisher(s):Ubisoft
Nailing that “Stairway To Heaven” guitar solo on Rock Band’s Expert difficulty level is a great feeling. But wouldn’t it feel even better to play it on a real-life electric guitar? You can do that in Ubisoft’s music game/teaching tool,Rocksmith. This revolutionary title lets you play with an electric guitar via USB.
Ubisoft’s latest Rocksmith title,Rocksmith+, is offered as a live-service subscription for PC and mobile devices. However, this modestly priced service has abundant content, including arich song library, a bevy of practice tools, and the introduction of piano compatibility.
