Editing Rhythm game (section)

== Definition and game design ==
[[File:Fretsonfire4.png|thumb|200px|Many rhythm games, such as ''[[Frets on Fire]]'', use a scrolling "note highway" to display what notes are to be played, along with a score and a performance meter.]]

Rhythm game, or rhythm action,<ref>(2007-06-30). [http://uk.playstation.com/games-media/news/articles/detail/item75867/Rhythm-action-games-on-PlayStation/ "Rhythm action games on PlayStation"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201124928/http://uk.playstation.com/games-media/news/articles/detail/item75867/Rhythm-action-games-on-PlayStation/ |date=2009-02-01 }}. PlayStation.com. Retrieved 2009-04-03.</ref><ref>Alexander, Leigh (2008-03-02). [http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=18037 "EA Announces DS Rhythm Action Exclusive Zubo"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303180429/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=18037 |date=2016-03-03 }}. [[GamaSutra]]. Retrieved 2009-04-03.</ref> is a subgenre of [[action game]] that challenges a player's sense of rhythm.<ref name="fundamentals"/> The genre includes dance games such as ''[[Dance Dance Revolution]]'' and music-based games such as ''[[Donkey Konga]]'' and ''[[Guitar Hero]]''.<ref name="fundamentals"/> Games in the genre challenge the player to press buttons at precise times: the screen shows which button the player is required to press, and the game awards points both for accuracy and for synchronization with the beat.<ref name="fundamentals"/> The genre also includes games that measure rhythm and pitch, in order to test a player's singing ability,<ref name="krev"/><ref>Frushtick, Russ. [https://web.archive.org/web/20090208184636/http://www.ugo.com/ugo/html/article/?id=18042 "Rock Band Review"]. [[UGO]]. Retrieved 2009-04-03.</ref> and games that challenge the player to control their volume by measuring how hard they press each button.<ref name="madmaestro">Smith, David (2002-04-14). [http://ps2.ign.com/articles/355/355561p1.html "Mad Maestro"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008062520/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/355/355561p1.html |date=2008-10-08 }}. [[IGN]]. Retrieved 2009-04-04.</ref> While songs can be [[sight reading|sight read]],<ref>Brudvig, Erik (2007-08-22). [http://ps2.ign.com/articles/814/814842p1.html "GC 2007: Guitar Hero III Progress Report"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112120941/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/814/814842p1.html |date=2007-11-12 }}. [[IGN]]. Retrieved 1009-04-03.</ref> players usually practice to master more difficult songs and settings.<ref>Cowan, Danny (2006-11-08). [http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=11610 "Critical Reception: RedOctane's/Harmonix's Guitar Hero II"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812011649/https://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=11610 |date=2020-08-12 }}. [[GamaSutra]]. Retrieved 2009-04-03.</ref> Certain rhythm games offer a challenge similar to that of ''[[Simon (game)|Simon]]'', in that the player must watch, remember, and repeat complex sequences of button-presses.<ref>Shoemaker, Brad (2003-12-05). [http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/puzzle/spacechannel5specialedition/review.html "Space Channel 5 Special Edition Review"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208114816/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/puzzle/spacechannel5specialedition/review.html |date=2009-02-08 }}. [[GameSpot]]. Retrieved 2009-04-03.</ref> Rhythm-action can take a [[minigame]] format with some games blending rhythm with other genres or entirely comprising minigame collections.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/rhythm-paradise-review | website = [[Eurogamer]] | date = 2009-05-05 | access-date = 2011-11-16 | title = Rhythm Paradise Review | first = Simon | last = Parkin | archive-date = 2020-06-03 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200603211919/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/rhythm-paradise-review | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesradar.com/tgs-2011-rhythm-thief-emperors-treasure-hands-preview/ | publisher = [[GamesRadar]] | date = 2011-09-19 | access-date = 2011-11-16 | title = TGS 2011: Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure hands-on preview | first = Henry | last = Gilbert | archive-date = 2015-11-17 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151117030902/http://www.gamesradar.com/tgs-2011-rhythm-thief-emperors-treasure-hands-preview/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-08-30-sega-confirms-rhythm-thief-for-3ds | website = [[Eurogamer]] | date = 2011-08-30 | access-date = 2011-11-16 | title = Sega confirms Rhythm Thief for 3DS | first = Fred | last = Dutton | archive-date = 2019-06-10 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190610151626/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-08-30-sega-confirms-rhythm-thief-for-3ds | url-status = live }}</ref>

In some rhythm games, the screen displays an avatar who performs in reaction to the player's controller inputs.<ref name="fundamentals"/> However, these graphical responses are usually in the background,<ref name="madmaestro"/> and the avatar is more important to spectators than it is to the player.<ref name="krev">Gerstmann, Jeff (2003-11-10). [http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/puzzle/karaokerevolution/review.html "Karaoke Revolution Review] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204235934/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/puzzle/karaokerevolution/review.html |date=2009-02-04 }}". [[GameSpot]]. Retrieved 2009-04-03.</ref> In single-player modes, the player's avatar competes against a computer-controlled opponent, while [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] modes allow two player-controlled avatars to compete head-to-head.<ref name="fundamentals"/> The popularity of rhythm games has created a market for speciality input devices.<ref name="fundamentals">Rollings & Adams, p. 442</ref> These include controllers that emulate musical instruments, such as guitars, drums, or maracas.<ref name="edge">{{cite web |author=Graft, Kris |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/features/there-was-guitar-hero |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115052003/http://www.next-gen.biz/features/there-was-guitar-hero |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-01-15 |title=Before There Was Guitar Hero... – Edge Magazine |publisher=Next-gen.biz |date=2008-11-17 |access-date=2011-09-08 }}</ref> A dance mat, for use in dancing games, requires the player to step on pressure-sensitive pads.<ref name="ashcraft523"/> However, most rhythm games also support more conventional input devices, such as control pads.<ref name="vib10"/>