Essential Buyer's Guide

The best rhythm and music games on PS4 and PS5

From living your rock star dreams to dominating the dance floor, get your groove on with PlayStation's best music-driven games.

Immersive soundscapes

Step inside vibrant digital landscapes where the thumping soundtrack drives the action. 

Rez Infinite

The legendary synesthesia shooter was born to be played in VR. Experience a mind-bending flight through a digital world as you destroy viruses to an iconic techno soundtrack.

  • Journey through a global network as you attempt to awaken a self-aware AI.
  • An evolving, interactive soundtrack - every action you make creates music.
  • Fly freely through Area X, a new area designed to be experienced in VR.

Pistol Whip

Feel like John Wick while gunning down low-poly enemies to a pounding EDM soundtrack. Shoot, sway and melee to the pulsing beat as you become the star of your own action movie.

  • A rhythm FPS with a soundtrack that’s as furious as the action.
  • Stylishly shoot your way through dozens of action scenes and two campaigns.
  • Challenge yourself with the Styles system - change weapon types and activate modifiers for endless replayability.

Thumper

Control a chrome space beetle as it hurtles, grinds and smashes through a hypnotic void. Uncompromising and intense, Thumper delivers on its promise of “rhythm violence”.

  • A truly unique, multi-award winning spin on the genre.
  • Survive literal sound tracks and destroy vast, otherworldly horrors.
  • PS VR immerses you in this brutal rhythmic rollercoaster.

Beat Saber

Traditional rhythm action combines with plasma swords for an irresistible and incredibly physical musical experience that's only possible in VR. Use your twin blades to destroy the oncoming beat blocks while moving your body to avoid obstacles. 

  • Transport yourself to a stylish, neon-soaked world and become a master musical fencer.
  • Work up a sweat as you physically strike and dodge through each high-tempo song.
  • Download new tracks from artists including Linkin Park, Kendrick Lamar and BTS.

Independent labels

Discover a trove of rhythm gems created by indie developers from around the globe.

Sayonara Wild Hearts

Part synth-pop album, part music-action videogame, Sayonara Wild Hearts explores heartbreak in a dreamy fantasy world. This propulsive arcade-style experience delivers a sequence of unforgettable setpieces informed by an essential soundtrack. 

  • A thrilling ride through a synthwave world, set to an original pop soundtrack.
  • Restore harmony to the universe as you engage in high-velocity clashes with stylish gangs.
  • Master each level to improve your rank and solve cryptic zodiac riddles.

BPM: Bullets Per Minute

There's a pounding rhythm beating at the heart of this kinetic roguelike FPS, where your gun-toting Valkyrie and their monstrous enemies move and attack to the beat of an original rock opera score. Can you save Asgard? 

  • A '90s-inspired first-person shooter with a beat-based twist.
  • Battle through randomly generated dungeons on your quest to defeat the mighty Nidhogg.
  • Equip your chosen Valkyrie with weapons, items and abilities that all impact they way you play.

AVICII Invector

An interactive tribute to the late superstar DJ, AVICII Invector is an uplifting rhythm experience. Soar through beautiful futuristic landscapes as you play along to 25 of his greatest hits.

  • Created in collaboration with AVICII, and dedicated to his memory.
  • Embark on a musical journey through dazzling sci-fi environments.
  • Features global chart-toppers Without You, Wake Me Up and Lay Me Down.

No Straight Roads

It's rock vs. EDM in this fantastical, rhythm-infused third-person combat adventure. Lead guitarist Mayday and drummer Zuke on a rock revolution as they attempt to reclaim Vinyl City from the NSR empire. 

  • Defeat boy bands, DJs and rappers as you fight to restore rock to Vinyl City.
  • Discover new mods to grant your instruments special abilities.
  • Form a duo with a friend in local couch co-op.

Play the classics

Discover legendary rhythm classics, remastered with modern visuals for the current generation of consoles.

Lumines: Remastered

From the studio that brought you Rez comes this HD remaster of the PSP puzzle classic. Create quadrilateral block formations to the tempo of the block-destroying Time Line to prevent the grid from overflowing.

  • A hypnotic fusion of sound, colour and accessible puzzle action.
  • Stop the blocks from reaching the top by creating 2x2 formations of matching colours.
  • Enjoy a diverse soundtrack that directly affects the appearance and difficulty of the game.

PaRappa The Rapper

I gotta believe! In this PlayStation classic, PaRappa competes in a series of whimsical rap battles as he attempts to win the heart of his crush Sunny Funny. Its iconic art style and winning soundtrack have stood the test of time.

  • Help paper-thin pooch PaRappa find true love in a surreal cartoon world.
  • Master karate, get your driving licence and learn to cook, all through the power of rap.
  • Use improvisation to reach the highest levels of MCing and enter Freestyle mode.

Patapon 2 Remastered

This remaster of the PSP classic builds on the original game's magical combination of rhythm and real-time strategy. Your rhythmic drumming commands units of Patapon as they battle monsters and rival tribes on their epic journey to the promised land of Earthend.  

  • The search for Earthend continues in a new Patapon adventure that greatly expands upon the original game.
  • Build an army of Patapon, utilising different drum beats to trigger each unit type's attacks.
  • Introducing the Hero, a mighty warrior with nine powerful Hero Modes that can turn the tide of battle.

Powerful performances

Tour the world, hold international audiences in the palm of your hands or lay down slick moves to own the dance floor.

Rock Band 4

The ultimate music party game lets you form a band locally or online to perform dozens of hits. Get straight into it with Quickplay, or experience the highs and lows of Rockudrama mode. Compatible with many existing USB mics and guitar and drum controllers.

  • Become a vocalist, guitarist, bassist or drummer and rock along to a huge tracklist.
  • Join a Crew and prove your skills on the world stage in all-new Rivals Mode.
  • Over 120 songs ready to play, and thousands more available as DLC.

DJMAX Respect

This is pure rhythm action, with beat-matching play taken straight from the arcades that birthed the genre. Master over 150 tracks, all with scalable difficulties and a wealth of tricky modifiers for endless replayability. 

  • The most expansive edition of the long-running rhythm action series to date.
  • Features tracks and videos from global acts including Marshmello and Porter Robinson.
  • A diverse playlist that encompasses everything from pop to jazz.

FUSER

Become a superstar DJ and feel the rush of playing to massive festival crowds. Create an iconic look, customise a spectacular stage show, and combine elements from over 100 licensed songs to create custom mixes on the fly that you can share with the world.

  • Take vocals, instruments and beats from a vast library of songs and craft original mixes.
  • Grow from mixing novice to festival headliner in Campaign mode.
  • Compete or battle with other DJs in online multiplayer.

Just Dance 2022

The perennial dance party essential returns with 40 new tracks. Show off your killer dance moves to hits from Camelia Cabello, Blackpink, Dua Lipa and Billie Eilish, and burn some calories by creating a routine in Sweat mode.

  • Dance along to routines that cater for all ages and abilities.
  • Features exclusive collaborations with top choreographers and creative talent.
  • Sign up to Just Dance Unlimited to access over 700 extra tracks.

Go big in Japan

Discover the colorful, characterful world of Japanese rhythm action games.

Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight

The Phantom Thieves return as you've never seen them before. A brand new side-story challenges the gang to revisit the Velvet Room and dance along to 25 songs from Persona 5's incredible soundtrack.

  • Take to the dance floor and move to classic Persona 5 tracks and exclusive remixes. 
  • Connect with your fellow Phantom Thieves to unlock new outfits and accessories.
  • Witness the other side of the story in Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight.

Hatsune Miku: Project Diva X

The world's most popular Vocaloid teams up with her friends to save their world through the power of music. Customise your look with special Modules and perform on dozens of spectacular stages.

  • Complete challenging Requests to progress through five themed Cloud worlds.
  • Deepen Miku's friendships by giving your pals thoughtful gifts.
  • Combine modules and accessories to boost your performance's Voltage power.

Taiko No Tatsujin: Drum Session

Drum along to over 70 songs in this home version of the enduring Japanese arcade hit. Follow the simple on-screen prompts to add your own percussion to global hits while enjoying its charming cartoon world.

  • Drum along with friends locally, or attempt to beat their ghosts online.
  • Play as special characters in Guest Session, including Hello Kitty and Pac-Man.
  • Enjoy over 70 songs from games, anime and Disney movies.

Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory

Battle Heartless to the beat of over 140 songs taken from the world of Kingdom Hearts. Iconic Disney characters join forces with Sora and his friends on a musical journey through iconic songs and locations from both universes.

  • A magical rhythm action adventure encompassing the entire Kingdom Hearts series.
  • Team up with friends in Co-op, or take them on in Battle Mode.
  • Revisit the worlds of The Lion King, Frozen, Hercules and many more.