Rhythm Action Games Genre Reviews

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Rhythm action games combine the enjoyment that comes from creating music with the challenge of video game scoring. The player is usually tasked with dancing on a mat, tapping a touch screen, pressing a button, singing into a mic or strumming a fake guitar controller in time with the music.

On occasion this tap along with the music style of interaction is used in other games (such as a means of combat in adventure games). But is it only games that solely focus on the players ability to play along to music (without other aims or goals) that are usually considered true Rhythm Action games.

Just Dance 2's impressive song list is joined by some intelligent dance modes to promise a worthy follow up to such a successful first outing.

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 Share: Twitter | facebook

Maestro! Jump in Music charmed me with its creative blend of rhythm and platforming. I consider it a microcosm of silliness, by no means a criticism.

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 Share: Twitter | facebook

Dancing on Ice Wii took me from a love of Figure Skating to appreciate Ice Dancing. Something about it hooked my competitive nature and no matter how imaginary the challenge, this was a game I had to win.

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 Share: Twitter | facebook

All Star Cheerleader 2 continues the exuberant fitness friendly game play. Although I missed some of the, now dialled down, saccharine cheerleading culture there is still plenty to challenge even the most proficient of exercisers.

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 Share: Twitter | facebook

Patapon 3 sticks with the mind-stretching rhythm controlled battle strategy, but takes things online for their new global multiplayer.

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 Share: Twitter | facebook

Green Day: Rock Band adds one of rock's greatest modern bands to the musical gaming formula. With 47 tracks from the group's history including the best-selling Dookie album, this is a must for fans like me and my friends - we like our rhythm games frenetic and energetic. You'd need to appreciate Green Day to really love it, but still this is Rock Band at its greatest.

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 Share: Twitter | facebook

All Star Cheerleader 2 (All Star Cheer Squad in the US) is the first sequel to the batch of cheerleading games that arrived last year. Like We Cheer, Samba de Amigo and Boogie and High School Musical Dance! on the Nintendo Wii it uses gestures to get the player flinging their limbs around. But unlike these others All Star Cheerleader 2 focuses on precision rather than exuberance. Although it doiesn't support Motion Plus you can pull out Wii-Fit's balance board to add a balancing and foot placement angle to proceedings.

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 Share: Twitter | facebook

DJ Hero hooks right into the world of joyously inappropriate mash-ups. Although it is the fader rather than the turntable that is the star of the show, the peripheral works well as a whole. DJ Hero popularises what the mix mag tribe has known for some time - there's some rich pickings amongst today's similarly paced pop anthems.

Sun, 30 May 2010 Share: Twitter | facebook

Bit Trip Core Wii-ware is a game like I used to play. Incessantly difficult, unforgiving and hugely addictive. Without the kudos of Halo'2 legendary setting, but no less hard - this is the perfect challenge for those of us raised on no continues and save points.

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 Share: Twitter | facebook

Titanic Mystery DS offers a hidden object driven story that uses its theme well. The surrounding legend of the Titanic lends an enjoyable sense of weight to proceedings of this Nintendo DS puzzle game.

Sun, 04 Apr 2010 Share: Twitter | facebook

Chime 360 is a breif bright experience and similar to Lumines. I found it a wonderfully calming experience - a perfect respite from the busy modern life. But not only this because Chime benefits children's charities across the world courtesy of OneBigGame.

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 Share: Twitter | facebook

VVVVVV is a PC retro style platform game that will whisk many an adult back to the days of childhood.

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 Share: Twitter | facebook

Chime's mix of music and puzzling strikes a Tetris shaped chord in a sea of action packed musical games and pledges 60% of profits to good causes. It's a great 360 XBLA game, even without the good works.

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 Share: Twitter | facebook

Easy Piano DS recreated a Bontempi keyboard moment from my youth - the blossoming realisation that music isn't as hard as it looks. Easy Piano on the Nintendo DS is easier than Guitar Hero and DJ Hero whilst avoiding descending into the pseudo music stylings of Wii-Music.

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 Share: Twitter | facebook

While the stock Guitar Hero and Rock Band guitars are all well and good, it's not long before your eye wanders to more enhanced models. The Xbox 360 Rock Band Wireless Fender Telecaster Player's Edition Replica is a guitar from Madcatz that although needs a little time to get to know, adds a touch more authenticity to your fake plastic rhythm action gaming.

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 Share: Twitter | facebook

When Guitar Hero 3 came out on 360, PS3 and Wii my two sons and I were initially dubious about the game. We hadn't played any of the previous incarnations as we'd only recently got the Xbox 360 that was a first foray into console gaming. I was astonished at the cost of the thing - how could a game be good enough to warrant such a price tag? But we played the demo - albeit with the standard controller and all thought it was great fun - I think the Tenacious D track sold it to us on its own. Pooling resources one weekend we became the proud owners of Guitar Hero 3 and proceeded to have a great time with it.

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 Share: Twitter | facebook

Just Dance for Nintendo Wii lets you enjoy the thrill and energetic nature of dancing in this intense party experience. Follow the moves of a variety of dancing coaches all dressed accordingly to the songs playing and learn iconic dance routines on the way to improving your abilities as a dancer. With the opportunity to play with up to four friends you'll be able to challenge them for domination of the dance floor, adding your own style to moves and mixing it up professional-style. Just Dance is the ultimate game to break the ice, loosen the clothing and get the party started!

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 Share: Twitter | facebook

Disney's Ultimate Band for Nintendo Wii is a game that circumnavigates my reservations about buying music games. I live in a fair sized apartment but space remains limited and the walls remain thin. After ten at night my girlfriend starts to panic about any noises we make out of an ingrained consideration to the other residents of our building.

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 Share: Twitter | facebook

Band Hero DS is the follow-up to the peripheral led Guitar Hero On Tour that sported its very own Nintendo DS peripheral controller. Band Hero continues the theme of providing a full Guitar Hero experience on the Nintendo DS. Again it provides a Guitar Grip that plugs into the GBA slot for Guitar and Bass parts. But this time it is joined by a Drum Skin peripheral that allows players to drum on the DS buttons. Along with this, a raft of new modes and enhancements join the impressive set-list to create another strong option for rhythm action on the go.

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 Share: Twitter | facebook

Band Hero brings the chart-topping success of classic and modern bands to the phenomenal Guitar Hero franchise with this incredible and accessible rhythm-action game. Focussing on making the experience as friendly as possible, Band Hero strips away the oppressive hardcore trappings of the usual rhythm games and gives players an easy and welcoming environment to enjoy themselves. With hits from Taylor Swift, No Doubt and the Jackson 5, Band Hero for the Xbox 360, PS3 and Nintendo Wii is the ultimate party game for friends and family.

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 Share: Twitter | facebook

More posts:

Nov 2009

LEGO Rock Band 360 Buying Guide
Band Hero 360 Buying Guide

Oct 2009

DJ Hero PS3 Review
DJ Star DS Review
Rock Band 2 360 Buying Guide
Lips 360 Review
Lips Number One Hits 360 Buying Guide

Sep 2009

Guitar Hero 5 360 Review
SingStar Queen PS3 Review
The Beatles: Rock Band 360 Review

Aug 2009

Let's Tap Wii Review
Guitar Hero On Tour DS Review
Guitar Hero World Tour 360 Review
Guitar Hero Metallica 360 Review

Jun 2009

Donkey Kong Jungle Beat Wii Review
Donkey Kong Jungle Beat Gamecube Review
Rhythm Heaven DS Review

May 2009

Rhythm Paradise DS Review

Mar 2009

High School Musical 3 DS Review
We Rock Drum King Wii Review

Feb 2009

We Cheer Wii Rough Guide
High School Musical 3: Dance! 360 Rough Guide

Jan 2009

High School Musical 3: Dance! Wii Rough Guide
Sing It PS3 Rough Guide

Dec 2008

Lips 360 Rough Guide

Nov 2008

Boogie: Superstar Wii Review
Sing Star PS3 Rough Guide

Oct 2008

Samba de Amigo Wii Rough Guide

Aug 2008

All Star Cheerleader Wii Rough Guide
Imagine: Girl Band DS Rough Guide
Guitar Hero On Tour DS Review

Sep 2007

Guitar Hero Aerosmith 360 Review
Phase iPod Review
Guitar Hero On Tour DS Review
Wii-Music Wii Review
Guitar Hero Aerosmith 360 Rough Guide
Elite Beat Agents DS Rough Guide
Guitar Hero On Tour DS Rough Guide
Rockband 360 Rough Guide
Wii-Music Wii Rough Guide
Dance Dance Revolution Wii Review

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