Summary
Rhythm games have an obvious appeal, as they not only allow players to listen to their favorite songs but also immerse them in the shoes of hit musicians. How bizarre, then, that one series that’s fallen off the map isGuitar Hero. Making players the lead guitarist in countless rock songs, it’s among the most recognizable properties in the industry and a go-to franchise for the musically inclined. Sadly, there hasn’t been a new entry in years, leaving fans nostalgic and hungry for more.
Luckily, several rhythm games provide enticing alternatives. They may take the formula into other genres besides rock, but the interactivity remains undeniably engaging. Even for the most despondent fans, these admirable IPs may just fill the void left byGuitar Hero.
Updated on Jun 21, 2025, by Gerardo Molina:Rhythm games are not only very fun to play, but also provide players with a chance to exercise both their mind and their bodies. Whether they have to dance, play the guitar, the drums, or sing along to their favorite tunes, there’s always some part of the brain and body that needs to be activated. Rhythm can help enhance the body’s fine motor skills, as well as eye-hand coordination, which is why more games in this genre should be released. Whether the Guitar Hero franchise will ever make a comeback remains to be seen. However, given how quiet things have been for so many years, it’s doubtful.
1Osu!
A Free-To-Play That Doesn’t Disappoint
Osu!is a fun free-to-play that’s been around for almost as long as theGuitar Herofranchise, making it one of the oldest rhythm games on this list. While it doesn’t feature game mechanics as complex as other rhythm titles, it still manages to deliver an entertaining experience for players who want to try a new game in this genre.
Osu!will put players' rhythmic skills to the test while allowing them to take on many songs, including various hits of the late 2000s, the 2010s, and even more modern releases.
2Clone Hero
A Great Title That Allows For Playing Almost Any Song
Players looking for an experience that offers many of the classic elements that everyone loved aboutGuitar Hero, but are also looking for the flexibility to upload any song they want and play along with it, will find everything they need inClone Hero. This amazing musical game lets players take control of their experience by allowing them to upload songs from various websites, such as Chorus Encore, or Custom Songs Central, which offer large databases including hits from almost every decade, and even a few meme or parody singles.
All in all,Clone Herois a fun game that’s ideal to play with friends to reminisce on some of the best music of the past, and even laugh a few times with other creative offerings.
WhenFuserwas released in 2020, it wasn’t the first game of its genre; however, it’s not always necessary to break the mold to create something great.In this rhythm game, players take on the role of a DJ in a virtual music festival as they mix and match different songs to attempt to make them work together. The game features several songs from different genres, including pop, EDM, and even rock.
Fuserhas a strong focus on timing and rhythm, so players will have to perfect their skills to get high scores and get the party started. This title also features decent customization options and combines vocal, percussive, and melodic elements to deliver an entertaining experience. The game was released by Harmonix, known worldwide as the developer behind several Rock Band titles and other hits.
Developed by 7th Beat Games,Rhythm Doctoris an indie game where players are tasked with curing patients by pressing a button at the right time. While likely not the main intent or focus, the game sends the great message that music can heal. Different patient diseases and ailments will have different rhythms, posing several challenges throughout the game.
WhileRhythm Doctorstarts rather easy, as players progress, they’ll encounter increased difficulty in the form of polyrhythms and different time signatures. While this title isn’t new in its genre, it still delivers a great experience for players who want to support an independent studio while having a blast curing patients with the power of music.
The fact that a quality game likeHi-Fi Rushwas shadow-dropped out of nowhere continues to surprise players even now. The presentation and art style of this game are top-notch, and that isn’t even the best part of the game.
Instead, whereHi-Fi Rushexcels is its rhythmic gameplay, with players banging their heads to a killer soundtrack as they smash enemies to smithereens. More players need to check outHi-Fi Rushif they love unique, enjoyable titles that don’t overstay their welcome.
BeforeBPM: Bullets Per Minuteexploded in popularity, most people scoffed at the idea ofcombining rhythm gameplay with FPS action. So, fans were glad to see just how enjoyable this hybrid of genres turned out.
BPM: Bullets Per Minute’s action-packed gameplay and catchy songs make it one of the most unique first-person shooters players can get their hands on. It opened the floodgates for other games to try their hands with this genre, which is a net positive for indie gaming as a whole.
Rhythm games have flourished in the realm of VR, with one of the most popular virtual reality games wholly immersed in this genre.Synth Ridersis another VR rhythm game that compels players to move in tandem with the beat, letting them dance to the song.
The unique gameplay ofSynth Riders, coupled with its extensive song list, makes it a must-play in the rhythm genre. Anyone who owns a VR headset should make it a point to check this game out, especially if they get their hands on the numerous song packs for this title.
Here’s an obvious one when looking for thebest games likeGuitar Hero.Rock BandwasGuitar Hero’s main competitor during the latter’s lifetime, and it’s easy to see why –they cover similar ground since they frequent the same musical genre. They even sport the same developer for some titles:Harmonix.
Given those ties, it stands to reason thatRock Bandwould expand on the formula. It carries over the guitar controls, but it also includes singing and drums. These tools are just as instrumental (sorry) to any song. Allowing players to control them makes the rock star experience more complete. By its very nature,Guitar Herocould never evolve in this way.
This may seem an odd choice. After all, the music here has nothing to do with rock. That said, many commendKingdom Heartsfor having some of the finest music in gaming. Any fan would jump at the chance to revisit the series' best tracks in an interactive format. However, they’re not just playing the music; they also fight the forces of evil.
InMelody of Memory, the heroes run along a track whilefamiliar enemiesattack them in tune with the song. Only by hitting the buttons at the right moment can players dodge the obstacles and vanquish their foes. Of all the gimmicks thatKingdom Heartshas thrown into its actionRPGgameplay, this is easily the weirdest. What’s even weirder, though, is that it works.
This series may not involve instruments, but players must still keep the beat.Dance Dance Revolutionpresents four platforms with arrows, and dancers must step on said arrows as they show up onscreen. The concept is simple to grasp and easy to jump into,which is probably why it’s endured for so long.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” That’s the policy that this series runs on. Since its gameplay suits so many music genres, the series has spanned decades and covers countless songs. Rock is just one area where it’s left its mark. The addictive allure never fades, as people will always love nailing the steps to their favorite tunes. Whether at home or in an arcade,Dance Dance Revolutionnever fails to excite the masses.
