Leave it to the land of the rising sun to give gamers bizarre but ingenious concepts for 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:rhythm games. The idea of emphasizing the game based oꦆn music is compelling and extravagant fun. However, nowadays, rhythm games are criminally underrated and niche in the West for several reasons, such as oversaturating the video game market in the 2010s.
In Japan, rhythm games are popular thanks to arcades still being typical hangouts. Thanks to those outlets, Westerners can still play some of the games that were initially exclusive to Japan, whether at the arcade or via gaming consoles. Here's a look at the rhythm games from 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Japan that left a profound impact on the genre.
Updated July 19, 2022, by Chris Sanfilippo: While Bemani's era of dominance has faded in the West, Japan continues to innovate the rhythm game genre. New titles, like Muse Dash and Touhou Spell Bubble, introduced elements from action and puzzle games, respectively. Furthermore, we're still replaying our favorite cult classics, like Space Channel 5 and Bust A Groove. Therefore, we're hitting the dance floor again to refine our list of the best rhythm games from Japan!
17 Touhou Spell Bubble ﷺ
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Rhythm games or puzzle games? Touhou Spell Bubble asks, "why not both?" And once you play this title, you're sure to agree. Touhou Spell Bubble is a spin-off from the ever-expanding Touhou Project, which has evolved from a bullet-hell shooter to a 🐻multi-genre-encompꦬassing media franchise.
However, Touhou Spell Bubble has a unique gameplay system that combines rhythm game elements with the traditional Puzzle Bobble format. In short, when players burst robust bubble clusters, they can earn combos by pressing the shoot button to the beat. It's a fundamental formula, but Spell Bubble's gameplay can get very strategic at higher difficulty levels. Plus, this puzzle-rhythm hybrid has tons of replay value with plenty of game modes and a hefty soundtrack.
16 Muse Dash
- Platforms: iOS, Android, PC, Nintendo Switch
Do you like platforming across obstacles and pummeling down enemies? In that case, you'll love Muse Dash! Muse Dash started as a mobile game♔ but soon transitioned to Steam and the Nintendo Switch eShop. In turn, the series garnered thousands of fans, with over 20,000 overwhelmingly positive reviews in the Steam store.
Muse Dash has a two-button control scheme, one button for upward movement/attacks and another for downward movement/attacks. While monsters and traps scroll across the screen, players must p﷽ress these two buttons in rhythm according to the obstacle. In short, Muse Dash is a simple and accessible game with tons of fast-paced action!
15 Persona 4: Dancing All Night ꦜ
- Platforms: PS4, PS Vita
Atlus's Persona series is not afraid to cut loose for its spin-offs, as most tend to throw caution to the wind and have a bit ofꦅ fun. The last three main entries in the JRPG franchise have all spawned rhythm game spin-offs, all of which are available on the PS4 and PS Vita.
While Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight and Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight are both worth picking up for fans of the main games, Persona 4: Dancing All Night is the best. The music is naturally fantastic, and there is quite an extensive storyline. Admittedly, dancing All Night doesn't take itself as seriously as Persona 4, but the characters fit this type of narrative quite well.
14 Theatrhythm Final𓂃 Fantasy 🌊
- Platform: Nintendo 3DS, iOS
Square Enix's 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Final Fantasy has an impressive track record regarding beautiful original scores. Naturally, therefore, it was only a matter of time before a rhythm game showed up to take advantage of the franchise's legendary music. Theatrhythm Final Fantasy do🍎es just that, with this spin-off series producing two♏ games.
The second entry, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call, improves upon its predecessor significantly. It packs in more than 200 songs and a ton of characters from across the franchise's many games. Using the 3DS stylus, you tap along with the beat as a party of iconic JRPG heroes duke it out against various enemies. It's silly, cute, and a great tribute to Final Fantasy's legacy.
13 ✱ PaRappa The Rapper 🏅
- Platforms: PS1, PS4, PSP
168澳洲幸运5开奖网:PaRappa the Rapper is a name PlayStation owners probably know from the game PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale as a playable fighter. Still, for 90's gamers, his rhythmic story is a gem of its time. The soundtrack is catchy, and the gameplay is rather refreshing. Despite not being recent, its legacy in Japan has spawned two games and an anime.
PaRappa the Rapper is rightfully criticized for its short length, but that shouldn't stop those who want to try this classic. A remaster came out on the PlayStation 4 and is a must-play. Its sequel, PaRappa The Rapper 2, is also available in the PS Store.
12 GITADORA
- Platform: Arcade, PC
Rhythm game enthusiasts should not be surprised to encounter games developed and published by Konami on our list. The first of their games is GuitarFreaks. Later, this phenomenon spawned a drumming version titled DrumMania. Recent editions include both games together, hence the condensed name, Gitadora. For over 20 years, Gitadora has🐻 encouraged gamers to shred their frets and hit their hi-hats!
Gitadora influenced rhythm games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band with similar gameplay and usage of guitar controllers. However, even if those two gam🏅es have wider success, we must credit Japan for bringing this concept ꧑to life that millions of people have played.
11 🌜 CROSS×BEATS
- Platforms: Arcade, iOS (2013-18)
After longtime in-house musician Naoki Maeda left Konami, he pitched his rejected idea for a new rhythm game to Capcom. Soon enough, he had a bite, and CrossxBeats launched on arcades and iOS devices in 2013. Not only did Naoki contribute to some of the game's songs, but his longtime collaborator, Junko Karashima, also took part by providing her music.
The gameplay might not be unique or groundbreaking, but it offers incredible music, and the gameplay feels automatic. It is straightforward-- just tapping, flicking in specific directions, and holding the music's beat. Unfortunately, the mobile version of CrossxBeats stopped its services in June 2018.
10 Pop'n Music
- Platform: Arcade, PC
Pop'n Music is a cartoonish version of Beatmania, but that is not a criticism. On the contrary, this game is enticing with its vibrant characters and upbeat songs and is the perfect, festive game that could grab anyone's attention. But is it as super easy as it looks? Not by a longshot.
There are challenge modes with enough buttons to overwhelm the most competent Beatmania players. However, Pop'n Music offers various difficulties, so veteran rhythm gamers and beginners alike can enjoy its experience. It's true that Pop'n Music and Beatmania have their similarities. Still, Mimi, Nyami, and friends delight gamers in Pop'n Music's quirky take on the genre.
9 Elit♒e Beat Agents ♒
- Platform: Nintendo DS
Building upon the foundations of Osu! Tatake! Oendan!, Elite Beat Agents was designed to be more accessible to an international market. However, the game is just as eccentric as its spiritual💟 predecessor. As suggested by its name, Elite Beat Agents centers around 🥃a group of heroes who make the world a better place through the power of music. Unapologetically outlandish, this title has personality and charisma in droves.
The gameplay is fun but challenging, with the stylus again taking center stage. The soundtrack is also quite fantastic, featuring the likes of Queen, Madonna, Destiny's Child, and David Bowie.
8 ✤ Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA ▨
- Platforms: Arcade, PS3, PS4, PSP, PS Vita, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, PC
Vocaloid has become a zeitgeist in internet culture, with Hatsune Miku being the most popular and recognizable voicebank/virtual pop diva. As a worldwide phenomenon, Miku will always be a timeless pop star with a wide variety of songs in her catalog. With 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA, rhythm gamers can enjoy a colossal soundtrack of talented music producers "collab💎orating" with Vocaloids.
The gameplay is not complicated, but its difficulty ramps up fast. On extreme difficulty levels, button commands will fly across the screen, requiring speedy fingers and deft observation to perform correctly. Sega might have an iconic blue-haired hedgehog as their mascot, but Miku's popularity is nothing to be sneezed at. With button pressing and sliding as part of the game's gimmicks, Project Diva is a simple game at first with a good difficulty balance.