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“Oto-ge,” short for rhythm/music games.
In recent years, they’ve also become popular as casual games you can enjoy on your smartphone.
Beyond getting to play your favorite songs, the process of improving is part of the appeal, and with each playthrough, you get drawn deeper into the artists, tracks, and their worlds.
But with so many different titles out there, you might be wondering where to even start.
It can be overwhelming how many features and ways to enjoy them there are.
In this article, we’ve picked out some of the most popular rhythm games and will introduce their features and why we recommend them.
We’ll highlight points that make them look fun, with attention to story elements and depth of play.
Give them a try and find the rhythm game that matches your vibe!
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[Rhythm Games You Can Play on Your Smartphone] A Curated Introduction to Popular Music Game Apps! (1–10)
Taiko no Tatsujin Plus
In addition to home consoles like PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, the classic rhythm game Taiko no Tatsujin is also playable on smartphones! The basic controls are the same as previous versions: tap the center of the drum for “Don” and the rim for “Ka,” and play along with the stream of “Don” and “Ka” notes as they come.
You can choose difficulty levels from Easy to Oni (Expert), so both beginners and Taiko no Tatsujin fans can enjoy it at their own pace.
IDOLiSH7
In this game, the player becomes the manager of the male idol group IDOLiSH7.
Rather than a romance game, it’s an app where you can feel up close how they struggle and grow—almost like experiencing a coming-of-age story.
It’s also a visual novel, but the story won’t unlock unless you meet certain standards in the rhythm game.
So even players who focus mainly on the story will find their rhythm-game skills naturally improving before they know it.
Besides IDOLiSH7, there are several other idol groups, each with its own musical style, so you can enjoy it without getting bored.
EXTASY VISUAL SHOCK
Featuring bands that could be said to represent Japan—X JAPAN, LUNA SEA, GLAY, and more—this officially licensed game, EXTASY VISUAL SHOCK, brings together a star-studded lineup popular across generations, and it’s especially irresistible for those from that era.
Naturally, the game’s note charts are set to their signature songs like Kurenai, ROSIER, and Temptation—famous tracks everyone has heard.
And perhaps most compelling is the use of real live concert footage playing behind the lanes—absolutely stunning!
Arcaea
Arcaea is a music game whose character designs by the popular illustrator, Sierra, really catch the eye.
It launched as a smartphone game in 2017, and thanks to its popularity, a Nintendo Switch version was released in 2021.
The gameplay involves tapping floor notes that appear on a screen divided into four lanes, but there are also long notes you hold, as well as arc notes with complex shapes.
You’ll rack up points not just by tapping, but by sliding while holding.
The exhilarating feeling of clearing patterns that make you move both hands in complex ways is truly addictive!
Cytus series (Cytus II)
Cytus is a rhythm game released in 2012 by a Taiwanese development company.
Set in a world where humans have almost gone extinct, the remaining robots long to have human-like “emotions.” They convert human emotions into music and store them in a place called Cytus—giving the game a somewhat heavy narrative backdrop.
Gameplay features a bar that moves up and down the screen; you tap notes that appear along the bar’s path to score points.
In addition to taps and holds, it often requires using multiple fingers with both hands, making it a fairly challenging rhythm game.
DEEMO series (DEEMO, DEEMO II, DEEMO -Reborn-, etc.)
DEEMO, a game released for smartphones in 2013.
Developed in Taiwan, its popularity led to releases not only on mobile but also on PlayStation Vita and Nintendo Switch, and it was even adapted into a film.
While the game revolves around the piano, its story develops with emotional highs, and although there’s a lot to accomplish as you progress, it’s so enjoyable that you’ll find yourself completely absorbed.
The piano performance involves tapping the screen like in a shooting game; when you tap accurately, the piano plays, giving you a satisfying feeling as if you’re performing it yourself.
Project SEKAI Colorful Stage! feat. Hatsune Miku
Project Sekai is a media-mix project centered on Hatsune Miku, with a rhythm game developed as its core.
Set in “Sekai,” a place born from human feelings, it portrays interactions between Vocaloids and original characters, as well as their individual growth.
A major draw is the wide variety of playable tracks, ranging from original songs created for the work to many classic Vocaloid hits.
Because the included songs are broadly categorized to match the atmosphere of each in-game “Sekai,” it’s also a great way to discover more music in the moods you like.
The distinctive original characters are another key highlight, making it a strong entry point for people who haven’t previously been involved with Vocaloid.
