GameTap's top 10 rhythm games of all time

by Griffin McElroy { Dec 9th 2007 at 8:30PM }

We play a lot of rhythm games at Joystiq HQ. Not because we like them, mind you, but because they're part of our strict training regimen for our competitive show choir squad, the Joystiq Jumpin' Junebugs. It's a little known fact that every video game blog has such a team, as required by the Digital Communications Act of 2006, and every year, we meet at an undisclosed location to compete for a year's worth of unspoken superiority. We all take it pretty seriously -- we really shouldn't be telling you this, but a certain GameSpot editorial director was recently let go after skipping two consecutive choreography rehearsals.

Jared Rea, GameTap blogger and Joystiq retiree (not to mention former Junebug captain), recently compiled the top ten rhythm games of all time. While we're pleased as punch to see newcomer Rock Band taking the number one spot, the unceremonious exclusion of Gitaroo Man from the list is unforgivable. We'd sit and sulk if we had time, but there's an exhibition match against the Kotaku Flying Pompadours this Wednesday, and we've yet to perfect the harmony on "We Built This City."

Tags: Guitar-Hero, GuitarHero, JoystiqJumpinJunebugs, Junebugs, rhythm games, RhythmGames, Rock-Band, RockBand

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Fullmetal Salchemist @ Dec 9th 2007 8:32PM

With Elite Beat Agents it wasn't the controls I had to get over, it was the absolutely atrocious American soundtrack.

Dopple Boppler @ Dec 9th 2007 8:58PM

I'll agree with you that most of Elite Beat Agent's soundtrack wasn't exactly stellar, and more than a few songs were outright bad. However, the inclusion of September makes up for all of it, and if you dare deny this fact then you, sir, are a Communist.

Blue_Falcon @ Dec 9th 2007 10:54PM

Truthfully, I didn't think the soundtrack was really all that bad. Sure Madonna, Ashlee Simpson, and Avril Lavigne wouldn't have been my top choices by a long shot (along with a few others), but overall it could have been much much worse. (Like Boogie, for example) The selections from Bowie, The Stones, E/W/F, and Deep Purple (along with a few others) made up for it, IMO.

My main problem with EBA's soundtrack was that songs didn't have much relevance to the stories being told for each song.

Dio @ Dec 10th 2007 1:48AM

"You're the Inspiration" made it onto Blender's list of The 50 Worst Songs Ever!

http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=819

Also: Gametap fails for not mentioning Ouendan 2.

ThornedVenom @ Dec 10th 2007 5:32AM

I dunno... games like these make lame songs fun to play with. EXCEPT "You're the inspiration". Always been happy to pass those on first tries.

That song was beyond weak sauce: there are no beats. I thought it was fucking Elite BEAT Agents.

phihexy27 @ Dec 9th 2007 8:44PM

I definitely agree that Gitaroo Man should not have been excluded from this list. While I enjoy Elite Beat Agents I feel that Gitaroo Man would be more worthy of making this list.

Jason @ Dec 10th 2007 10:28AM

Rock on! Gitaroo Man should have been top 5. I think in a list of the top, most underrated rhythm games it would be number 1. Also where is PaRappa? I guess if you excluded arcade games these two would have made it.

Superstar90 @ Dec 9th 2007 8:47PM

The only thing about EBA that I didn't like was that there were only like 2 or 3 fun songs. The rest were either to slow or had awkward beats.

sheppy2.0 @ Dec 9th 2007 8:54PM

Much respect for Pump It Up

thedonandmikeshow @ Dec 9th 2007 9:01PM

BEST PHOTO EVER!!!

lucky @ Dec 9th 2007 9:03PM

No frequency or amplitude?

Naota @ Dec 9th 2007 9:17PM

I demand Frequency/Amplitude as well as Gitarooman. Also, would REZ fit under this?

Gjak1117 @ Dec 9th 2007 9:19PM

Where the heck is Taiko Drum Master on this list...

flesy @ Dec 9th 2007 9:22PM

Rock Band really doesn't deserve that spot at #1 it's really much to quick to tell. Pump it up should have been ranked higher. IIDX, Pop'n Music, DDR, and Pump It Up have all have tons of releases that are as great as the ones before them.

GrossGreg @ Dec 9th 2007 9:23PM

No PaRappa? I've had songs from that game stuck in my head for the past 10 years.

Hell, whenever someone even mentions the term "rhythm game," I can't help but think, "Kick, Punch, it's all in your mind..."

Phi Nguyen @ Dec 9th 2007 9:38PM

...if you wanna test me,
I'm sure you'll find...

Erratics @ Dec 10th 2007 2:36PM

It was WAY better than Um Jammer Lammy.

"the things I'll teach you is sure to beat you"

Kyattsuai @ Dec 9th 2007 10:00PM

Am I the only one upset with the profound lack of Space Channel 5 on that list?

KeenCommander @ Dec 9th 2007 10:12PM

Yes. That game was just annoying.

Freezer @ Dec 10th 2007 12:25AM

No, you are not. I'd have found room for Samba De Amigo as well.

kazuya @ Dec 9th 2007 10:51PM

They are going to put in two Beatmanias, but not even mention Frequency/Amplitude?

Geoff @ Dec 9th 2007 11:02PM

No Samba de Amigo, Space Channel 5, or Rez? Someone needs to get a Dreamcast.

therpham @ Dec 9th 2007 11:11PM

Wow, this actually took into account good music games! Awesome.

Bigfoot @ Dec 9th 2007 11:32PM

I'm sorry, but Rock Band doesn't deserve #1. I understand this is their opinion, and that is mine :P

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Dec 9th 2007 11:45PM

SPIRIT FINGERS!!!

Tuatara @ Dec 10th 2007 12:17AM

Jazz hands :/

Derek J @ Dec 9th 2007 11:55PM

what about Donkey Konga? that's probably my favorite.

Trickob @ Dec 10th 2007 12:18AM

that photo only reinforces the stereotype that all men involved in theatre are gay.

Jay @ Dec 10th 2007 1:25AM

IIDX is not #1

ITG2 is not on the list

I call EXTREME BS

Tiger of PTS @ Dec 10th 2007 2:10AM

lol, they quoted fucking Milton.

jdfedz @ Dec 10th 2007 3:14AM

What happened to In The Groove (2) ?

ThornedVenom @ Dec 10th 2007 5:34AM

I know that DDR HAD to be on the list towards the top, but seriously, WHO could forget the Legend of Maxx? ;) (FUCK YEAH 333BPM)

Boo!? @ Dec 10th 2007 6:40AM

Where's Rhythm Tengoku? =/

kokuryukai @ Dec 10th 2007 8:04AM

Either the writer have too young to remember, and have an anti rap bias, haven’t even played the game - which would not be a surprise - but how in the HELL is PaRappa the Rapper not on the list - the game basically started the rhythm games.

Mr.ESC @ Dec 10th 2007 12:19PM

I agree the exclusion of parappa the rapper is unforgivable, this list fails.

BTW have anyone played the Japanese version of Elite beat agents?

Louie @ Dec 10th 2007 10:31AM

What about Bust a Groove? My wife loved the game, and I liked tearing up the dance floor with Hamm.

Jason @ Dec 10th 2007 10:36AM

I think a rhythm game with original music that you would actually listen to outside of the game (Gitaroo Man) deserves more credit than a simple 'grove along to popular songs' game (Rock Band). I loved the music from Gitaroo Man so much I imported the soundtrack from Japan. The opening and closing themes simply rock!