From VR rhythm slashing to beat-driven action and music-fuelled shots, here are music-themed games you must try.
Music games don’t just use songs as background music: the soundtrack becomes the rules. Whether you’re timing inputs to a kick drum, chaining combos to a chorus, or surfing a synthwave drop, your ears become as important as your thumbs. The best ones also teach you flow, that locked-in state where you stop thinking and simply move with the beat.
Beat Saber (VR)
If you’ve never played Beat Saber, imagine slicing neon blocks with lightsabers while the track dictates your rhythm and stamina. It’s approachable in minutes, but brutally replayable once you start chasing higher difficulties and tighter accuracy. While new content has stopped arriving on the PlayStation version of this game, it is still one of the top music-themed titles out there, especially where VR is concerned.
Hi-Fi Rush
Hi-Fi Rush takes the clever idea of rhythm game rules and wraps it around a stylish brawler. Attacks, dodges, and enemy patterns sync to the music, so playing well feels like landing hits inside a music video. It’s also a great gateway for people who don’t normally touch rhythm games because the timing helps you, rather than punishing you. The game remains available on all major platforms.
Crypt Of The NecroDancer
This one is deceptively hard: you can only move and attack on the beat, turning every dungeon run into a dance. The genius is how it makes basic rogue-like decisions, positioning, risk, resource management, feel musical. Miss the tempo, and you’re instantly exposed, but nail it, and you’ll glide through rooms like you’re conducting the chaos.
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line
For players who want melody first and pressure second, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is a love letter to Final Fantasy’s enormous music library. It’s built around simple, readable inputs, yet it keeps you chasing perfect runs with party builds, unlocks, and difficulty ramps. It’s also ideal for short sessions: one song becomes “just one more” very quickly.
Sayonara Wild Hearts
Sayonara Wild Hearts is often described as a playable pop album for good reason: it’s a tight, stylish arcade journey where each level feels like a new track on record. You’ll race, dodge, and snap to the beat through dazzling visuals that make the music feel physical. It’s short, but it’s the sort of short you’ll replay to re-experience favourite moments.
FunkFest Bonanza
Not every music-themed game is about perfect timing, sometimes it’s about vibes. FunkFest Bonanza leans into disco style, with features like a bonus wheel and respins, plus a published RTP of 95.80% at UK-based casinos. The gameplay is built to feel like a party, even when you’re just spinning the reels, which is why it’s one of the most popular music-themed online slots games right now.
Conclusion
The common thread across these picks is that music isn’t decoration, it’s the engine. Try one that matches how you like to play: physical and sweaty (Beat Saber), stylish and story-driven (Hi-Fi Rush), strategic and punishing (NecroDancer), comforting and nostalgic (Theatrhythm), or pure audiovisual candy (Sayonora Wild Hearts). Your next favourite game might already be in your headphones, and leave you grinning afterwards.
Beyond entertainment, music-themed games also highlight how sound design shapes immersion and memory. Players often recall tracks long after finishing a game, reinforcing emotional connections. That blend of interactivity and music explains why these titles remain replayable, influential, and increasingly diverse across platforms and genres.