After getting hooked on some of the most lucrative titles Android offers, we get a strong urge to build out a diverse library full of premium games. And if you've secured a top-tier Android gaming phone, no library should come without some addictive, serotonin-inducing, quick tap-and-play rhythm games.
So, to keep your library of exclusive titles flourishing, we've compiled a list of some of the best rhythm games you can play on Android — offering well-polished gameplay for all the finger-tapping exercises you can masterfully handle.
1 Deemo
Deemo doesn't just deliver a spectacular rhythm game — it brings in an emotionally touching modern-day fairy tale that offers a heartwarming story centered around Deemo and Alice. You'll follow Deemo, a mysterious shadowed figure trying to help Alice, a little girl who mysteriously appears in the sky and can't find her way back home.
Deemo is a story-centric rhythm game that's playable offline; you'll play through the story mode to unlock additional songs thematically composed of beautiful piano renditions. The emphasis on piano-themed music will surely make pianist appreciators not want to miss out on this charming favorite.
2 Arcaea
Arcaea is a visually stunning experience with gripping gameplay you won't find in other rhythm games, like the ability to hit sky notes and arcs in your playing sessions. You can play offline, or you can set yourself to play online multiplayer, so there's something in the cards for everyone.
The story is stellar for a rhythm game (considering most don't offer a strong focus on narration and world-building), but if you want to get the updated story, you'll have to shell out a few dollars to purchase more packs. But thankfully, the majority of content is found within the provided free pack. Arcaea is a very polished and aesthetically pleasing rhythm game that deserves a shot.
3 Lanota
Before fully diving into Lanota, remember that this app only provides the free download as a trial version, so if you plan to play this game entirely for free, this may not be for you. However, the price does not outweigh how good Lanota is as a game. Lanota is best described as a picture storybook that incorporates rhythm gameplay to tell a tale; the world is turning monochromatic (from the depletion of colors and songs), and you're tasked to restore these missing colors by repainting the picture.
Lanota adds its spin on rhythm gameplay: you won't be waiting around for the notes to appear on-screen. Instead, you're confined to using a circular compass where each note can land and spin in any direction within the circle. Lanota is genuinely artistic in its storytelling, but you'll have to pay the premium if you desire the whole experience.
4 A dance of fire and ice
So many rhythm games gravitate towards an animated style, but at the end of the day, you may be in the market for a more simplistic rhythm game without all that visual gravy getting in the way. A dance of fire and ice is precisely that.
The game will see you guiding two orbiting planets down a path in perfect equilibrium, but this time you're relying on the auditory cues over the visuals to get that rhythm down right. The game may have simple controls, but it certainly presents a challenge for rhythm fans.
5 Beatstar
If you're in the mood to jam to modern-day music and all-time classics, Beatstar has got you covered. The layout of Beatstar looks glaringly similar to Guitar Hero/Rockband, but instead of an instrument in your hand, you'll tap on your device's screen. You're required to connect online to play, but you can use the app to challenge your friend's score and brag about your spot in the leaderboards since it's always online.
Beatstar is the perfect rhythm game for an icebreaker in your social activities to bring back the good old days of playing party games in the living room, bearing in mind everyone has a phone readied up to play, of course! Let's see who can get the highest score first!
6 Cytus II
The same team that's released Deemo, Voez, and the first Cytus, all well-renowned rhythm games found on Android, has worked on Cytus II, the spiritual successor of Cytus. Cytus II is another visual-driven story rhythm game that pushes the intensity in its narration and gameplay.
Over 100 songs and 300 hundred charts are available to play through that offer a range of difficulties. So if you're a massive fan of the aesthetic, and don't mind an abstract story, give Cytus II a chance; you can also get it free on the Google Play Pass.
7 Muse Dash
Maybe you enjoy music in rhythm games, but tapping on visual artwork screens or playing through an abstract story doesn't quite strike a chord with you. How about a side-scroller beat 'em up/parkour while jamming to some high-energy Japanese tunes? If yes, then we recommend Muse Dash. It's charming and full of lively colors, and the pacing ensures you can't keep your hands off the screen.
8 Crypt of the NecroDancer
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to mix roguelike elements into a rhythm game? Now you can stop wondering how that concoction turned out because Crypt of the NecroDancer is here to deliver that taste-testing experience. In Crypt of the NecroDancer, the power is within the music, and it'll push you to the limits if you ever want to see the light of day in those final levels.
Featured music is from Danny Baranowsky's fantastic soundtrack, but if that isn't enough, you can select songs from your personal collection. Do you have what it takes to move in line with the beat to overcome your foes?
9 Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage
Due to the massive popularity of the Hatsune Miku games, it has made it onto many platforms like Playstation, PC, and Nintendo. The colorful visuals, catchy Vocaloid tunes, and difficulty unlocking new songs have been a tasty treat for rhythm fans over the years. Colorful Stage is no different and is very much a Hatsune Miku game.
You'll unlock songs using song tickets and playing through quests, plus there's plenty of customization with your characters, band, and music videos. Feeling bold? You can invite four of your friends to enjoy the fun. Colorful Stage also lets you connect with fans globally by joining in virtual concerts using the app. Anyone who enjoys Hatsune Miku games should give this game a try.
10 OverRapid
Maybe story-driven rhythm games and flashy animations are not what you're seeking in your playing sessions. If you're vying for simplicity instead, OverRapid brings back an arcade-like experience where you manage two lanes to maximize your score.
It's mostly about timing your taps with the on-screen prompts like in Guitar Hero; the only downside to OverRapid is the simplicity. The UX design isn't the most friendly in a rhythm game, and the tap selection doesn't always match the song. So you'll either love or hate the app, depending on your preferences.
11 Beat Blade: Dash Dance
Beat Blade: Dash Dance is a music runner game where the mechanics require slashing through the notes while avoiding obstacles and traps. The controls may take some adjusting due to the main constraints of being an endless runner. But somehow, this mechanic works perfectly in a rhythm game.
But the gorgeous stylization is the main attraction of picking up Dash Dance steps; it has a brilliant combination of neon-themed colors with snappy lightsaber slash effects, which truly complement the modern-day music from 2022 (ranging from EDM to Hip Hop). There's a reason why Dash Dance has earned the Editor's Choice badge on the Play Store — it delivers on all fronts for what you'd expect in a top-tier rhythm game.
12 Tiles Hop: EDM Rush!
Tiles Hop: EDM Rush! might be more of your jam if you're looking for casual fun, like playing against your friends or auto-generating content by uploading your favorite tracks. The premise is simple: you must hit the notes to prevent the bouncing ball from falling. Tapping and dragging the ball to land on the tiles keeps the beat going. Once you get the ball rolling, it isn't easy to stop.
After loading up Tiles Hop: EDM Rush!, you will find the default song selection mostly pop-based, but it does allow you to upload your own — however, it comes with a caveat that a custom tracklist may not necessarily match the tile-hopping rhythm. Another added (fun) detail is the ability to customize the game, such as the ball style and the background theme.
13 Rotaeno
Rotaeno adds a unique element of rhythm that most games don't lean into. Instead, it makes full use of your device's gyroscopes. Turning your phone into a steering wheel to tap the beat may seem like a nightmare at first glance, but Rotaeno manages to keep this activity short and precise. As a result, you can almost describe the Rotaeno app play similarly to how you'd handle a machine at an arcade.
Rotaeno's song selection might not be at the highest volume compared to other entries on this list, but the diversity in music styles between EDM to Opera makes up for the lower number. Also, given that the release was only in mid-2022, there's still room for updates with adding new songs. Overall, Rotaeno already plays superbly well on mobile devices and will only continue improving from here.
14 RhythmStar
RhythmStar borrows from popular RPG-rhythm hybrids like Theatrhythm Final Fantasy to introduce side mechanics to work along with your tapping exercises like character collecting, leveling, and monster slaying. But instead of bringing in Chocobos and Moogles to save the day, we now have famous music composers like Mozart and Beethoven to pummel the baddies away.
RhythmStar is a great app to dabble in when bored or unsatisfied with the typical vanilla rhythm gameplay many popular apps focus on. So to re-spark your interest in this genre, embarking on a musical adventure full of heroism and epicness may be the right medicine to prescribe — so maybe consider giving RhythmStar a try to get that tempo going.
15 Phigros
When you're on a budget, Phigros would be one of our top picks for free rhythm games; you can access the entire game's content without cost — the dev's source of funding comes from selling Phigros merchandise and profiting off of Rizline (another rhythm game with premium features). Originally, Phigros was a passion project that turned into a full-fledged game. Now, it is considered highly-rated within the genre.
Phigros does away with the lanes and utilizes agile judgelines with four different types of notes to create a newly unique dynamic. You will find a massive assortment of music, including some licensed tracks. All covers are hand-drawn, enhancing this rhythmic experience with some eye-catching illustrations. Overall, Phigros is a must-play for F2P (free-to-play) fans.
16 D4DJ Groovy Mix
If you're into Japanese anime-inspired card games, you may have heard of Bushiroad. Bushiroad does more than publish collectible card games overseas; it also owns various multimedia franchises that have expanded into mobile games. One example you may know is BanG Dream! Girls Band Party!, a fantastic rhythm game that's slightly held back by some mixed performance issues. However, D4DJ Groovy Mix exists, which is already a great DJ-themed alternative to the former for having that same sparkle, gloss, and shine that Bushiroad masterfully produces.
17 Sweet Sins 2 Rhythm Music Game
Now, if you're looking for a simple rhythm title that increases your serotonin, look no further than Sweet Sins 2 Rhythm Music Game. It packs plenty of punch thanks to its colorful palette and energetic tunes (ranging from J-Pop to EDM). While on the side, you can experience a cute story about magical girls trying to defend Musicalia from the clutches of the Queen of Silence. These cutesy, monster-slaying themes are comparable to Muse Dash, another fantastic rhythm game you will find on this list.
You can play Sweet Sins 2 and complete the game without spending a cent. But if you pay the premium to unlock the VIP member tier, you can remove the ads permanently (for $5 on a first-time offer). But we always recommend trying it before buying it to see if Sweet Sins 2 hits the right notes for your gaming.
Tap to the rhythm and feel the beat
After checking out some rhythm-based titles, you may find something about this genre that is mildly addictive compared to other top-tier Android games. Rhythm games often combine playing catchy tunes with opportunities to reach personal highs on some of your favorite tracks. When you finish a level on the hardest difficulty, you feel accomplished. And if the repetition for grinding out a music level gets too tiresome, you can always change your tune. But hopefully, this list offers enough diversity so that you can kickstart your musical adventures with plenty of vigor to go with it.