Best Rhythm Co-Op Games, Ranked

The quality of the soundtrack in a rhythm game can make or break a title, with a bad one having the potential to bring down the mood in an instant. Further damping the enjoyment of this type of game, for those lacking a single competitive bone in their bodies, are modes that have players actively working towards the downfall of the person sitting next to them.

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But when a rhythm game is made for the purpose of having players work toward the same goal, a lot of its potential missteps might be forgiven. This type of rhythm game works to accentuate each player's strengths, creating a symphony of collaboration.

9 DJ Hero

Spin Some Tracks With Friends

With the popularity of Guitar Hero throughout the 2000s, it was only a matter of time before more instruments outside the established guitars, drums, and mic were explored. DJ Hero puts a hefty turntable in front of players and has them scratching a record while using knobs to mix a track live.

The game allows for cooperative play, so players can grab a friend and have a go at a song on two separate controllers. In addition, there are a handful of songs that allow somebody with a guitar controller to play alongside a DJ. The game did well enough to garner a sequel but never truly showed the potential that some of its contemporaries had.

8 Taiko No Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival

The Drumming Never Ends

Taiko No Tatsujin is a staple in arcades everywhere, but Taiko No Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is one of a few in the series that brings the fun home with a taiko drum peripheral. Players are given two sticks and have to bang on the surface in time with the notes on the screen to succeed.

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The Nintendo Switch taiko drum controller is way smaller than its arcade counterpart, but it's the perfect size if fans want to travel with it, meet up with friends, and jam out. This entry in the series was praised by critics for its many modes and its potential to become a virtual taiko drumming platform that players could enjoy for many years to come.

7 Rhythm Doctor

One Finger Is All That's Needed

Just like a surgeon needs a pair of steady hands, sturdy fingers are needed to best this rhythm game, though bringing a partner doesn't hurt either. It's also easy, as Rhythm Doctor has drop-in, drop-out co-op. One button is all that's needed to control a defibrillator and help the hospital's ailing patients.

Rhythm Doctor is billed as one of the more difficult rhythm games out there, as it works to teach real-life music theory in an organic way. That being said, its simplicity might turn some of the most seasoned rhythm game fans off.

6 Final Fantasy: The Theatrhythm Series

Play Along To Iconic Final Fantasy Tracks

The incredibly popular Final Fantasy series has some of the most undeniably infectious music in gaming. In all the Theatrythm games, players have to hit buttons in time with the nodes that fly across the screen, just like most rhythm games. As the player succeeds in this, the characters on screen will perform various attacks against whatever foe is facing them.

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While all games in the four entries of the series have multiplayer, Theatrhythm, Final Bar Line, and the Japanese-exclusive arcade game All-Star Carnival allow players to cooperate to achieve success. It's a fun and simple game for fans of Final Fantasy and friends who want to enjoy some of the most excellent music from the series.

5 OSU! (TAG Mode)

Everyone Gets To Build Up Their Clicking Speed

Osu! Is a free, open-source rhythm game for PC. The standard gameplay involves moving the cursor and clicking the nodes that pop up all around the screen. It seems very simple at first, but on higher difficulties it can get fairly hectic, requiring just about the same precision as a twitch shooter like Counter-Strike.

Fans can create beatmaps for any song imaginable, and while they can be taken on solo, it might be more beneficial to link with a few friends in TAG mode. The mode cycles through the players in the lobby throughout a given song, with everyone sharing the points and streak multiplier. It's one of the more unique ways to enjoy a rhythm game socially.

4 Crypt of the NecroDancer

It's Dangerous To Go Alone

One of the most unique games in the roguelike genre, Crypt of the NecroDancer, sees players taking control of Cadence as she moves, attacks, and dodges her way through a procedural dungeon on a journey to release her heart from the clutches of the Necrodancer. The player has to conduct actions on the beat, which translates to a higher coin multiplier.

When the game was originally released, there was only the option for local co-op. However, 2022 brought the release of the Synchrony DLC, which added new characters and online multiplayer for up to 8 players to plunge into the critically acclaimed depths together.

3 The Guitar Hero Series

A Classic That Evolved Over Time

Guitar Hero reached icon status at its height, with each iteration bringing new plays on real guitar moves, like hammer-ons, pull-offs, and open notes. Later in the game's life, and seemingly to keep up with the new kids on the block, Rock Band, drums, and a mic were introduced into the fray to facilitate some of the best party game experiences.

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The franchise was never afraid to experiment when it came to being introduced to new platforms like the Nintendo DS, mobile, and even the arcade, all of which dabbled in multiplayer. It's undoubtedly this adaptability that kept Guitar Hero alive for over 10 years.

2 The Dance Dance Revolution Series

Team Up With A Partner And Dance

While far from the first of its kind, Dance Dance Revolution has become synonymous with the toe-tapping gameplay that fans of rhythm games all know and love. It's been around for over two decades, and players are still finding their way back to their nearest machine to keep their skills up.

Many games in the series have been released on home consoles as well, along with a soft plastic dance pad. But nothing beats hitting the arcade with a friend and going a few rounds on the cabinet together in the game's couple mode. Granted, the mode isn't in every edition of DDR, but when it is, and two skilled players get down, it's truly a sight to behold.

1 The Rock Band Series

Get The Band Back Together

From the beginning, Rock Band squashed any concerns about its similarities to Guitar Hero as its goal of bringing people together in the spirit of collaboration to create a fun party atmosphere was revealed. That being said, the recognizable visual language that rhythm game fans had come to know over the years was present and thriving.

The game had great features, like a character creator and the opportunity to hit the road as a full band in career mode or quickplay. However, the best part is that most songs from previous games could be downloaded onto following entries, meaning that over the years, players could amass hundreds of tracks to enjoy with their bandmates. All of this has solidified Rock Band's place as the gold standard in co-op rhythm games.

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