This article focuses on the best music games available on PS4 or Xbox One So far. This list covers games from music sub-genres including Dance, Singing, Guitar, and Rhythm. I decided not to create a numbered ranked list because many of the games listed are vastly different from each other and won’t be appealing to everyone. Most teens and adults will gravitate towards rhythm, guitar, and singing games. While most small children will probably enjoy singing and dance games more. When new worthy games are released, this article will be updated.
Just Dance 2016, 2017, 2018
– See It On Amazon: PS4 | Xbox One
Every game in the Just Dance series from 2014 to 2018 has been great. However I recommend playing 2016 and newer versions because they don’t require the PlayStation 4 Camera or the Xbox One Kinect Sensor, your phone or tablet can be used as the motion controller instead, all you have to do is download the Just Dance App to your device. Each of these games is jam-packed with over 40 songs out of the box. By playing a lot you can level up your profile and earn in-game cash used to unlock new avatars, songs, and dance remixes. Each version showcases the best dancing pop songs available for that year along with popular dancing classics. If you get bored with the default playlist, you can always subscribe to Just Dance Unlimited which gives you access to over 300+ tracks. You can play with up to 6 players locally or 2 players online in a 1 vs 1 dance battle. You will earn a higher score by getting your timing down and performing dance moves correctly. Just Dance games appeal most to Small children or pop music fans that love to dance!
– Gameplay Video
Guitar Hero Live
– See It On Amazon: PS4 | Xbox One
A lot of changes were made in Guitar Hero live compared to previous versions. They added a brand new guitar controller scheme, it no longer uses the colored buttons, in an attempt to reduce sliding. Coming from older Guitar Hero games this took some time to get used to. After a few days of playing though, I started to like the new white and black dots, 6 button scheme better than the old colored buttons. It feels much more comfortable, sliding the old colored buttons had its limitations. The whole in-game interface style is made up of videos now, instead of animated characters and environments. It works really well and the first person view does make you feel like you are really there. There are two new modes to choose from including GH Live and GH TV. Live is basically the campaign, where you will start as a rookie performing in small shows, as you progress you will eventually perform for huge crowds at larger shows. GH TV is my personal favorite mode, you can to choose from a large selection of popular new and old music videos. You have to use your GH points in order to keep playing your selected GH TV music videos. Luckily they have free random videos available that you can play at any time to earn more points. Most songs are listed in classic, hard, metal, alternative or soft rock genres. World leaderboards are available for each song, letting you know what place you rank in compared to other players around the world. Overall I loved Guitar Hero live and everything that’s new and unique it brought to the series.
– Gameplay Video
SingStar (PS4 Exclusive)
– See It On PS4 Marketplace
SingStar is by far the best karaoke style singing game available on the PS4. SingStar is free to download from PSN Marketplace, but the songs all cost money. Most songs only cost about $1.49 each though. Charging for individual songs is fine by me because I get to choose which songs I want, instead of having a load of prepacked songs I would never sing to. The PS4 version allows you to use your phone as a microphone by downloading the SingStar Mic app. The variety of music available is insane, covering music from a broad range of genres, with hundreds of songs from different artists available. Singstar has some fun social modes available if you have friends to play with locally. Pass The Mic mode lets you and up to 7 other friends sing through a song, scoring everyone individually. Every song also has there own world leaderboard , in case you want to be the top singer. If you’re planning fun karaoke nights in the near future or you feel like singing some of your favorite songs alone, SingStar is a must play!
– Gameplay Video
Rez Infinite (PS4 Exclusive, Even better with PS VR)
– See It On Amazon
Rez Infinite is a rhythm-based on-rails shooter. It’s one of the best PS VR games to date, but it’s still cool without PS VR also. The game is very strange and hard to explain. You are placed in a futuristic world that changes themes, colors, effects, environments, and music often. This world feels so random but at the same time everything fits in so nicely. Playing as a flying solid colored human, go through levels blasting and locking onto spaceships and bosses. Every-time you take out enemies you will hear an array of sound effects and rhythm beats. Using headphones is a must when playing Rez Infinite, to receive the full music and sound experience. This is one of those games that you have to play for yourself to understand it fully and feel how immersive it is.
– Gameplay Video
Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved (Xbox One Exclusive, Kinect required)
– See It On Amazon
Xbox One Kinect Sensor is required when playing Fantasia: Music Evolved, because the game is built around motion controls. In the game, you are the main character conducting elements on the screen while songs play. Move your arms and hands precisely in all sorts of directions following elements on the screen. The background themes, colors, and effects are always changing, while the awesome music tracks are playing, so the immersion is usually high at all times. There are over 30 songs, with there own levels to play through. You are scored based on how well and accurately you perform each song while conducting. Fantasia: Music Evolved is an addictive one of a kind music experience that takes advantage of the Kinect Motion sensor’s capabilities.
– Gameplay Video
Thumper
– See It On Marketplaces: PS4 | Xbox One
Thumper is rhythm based on-rails horror racer where timing matters. A strange game that fits into a number of genres. Like Rez Infinite this game is much more fun and easier to understand once you start playing it. You will play as a space pod traveling fast through narrow tracks. While the music plays, use one button on the controller and the left analog stick to hit all the rhythm beats that are flying at you. It’s so satisfying hearing the music while hitting all track beats perfectly and gaining a high score. in a sense, playing Thumper feels almost instrumental like. The boss fights are terrifying, the amount of beats and speed added becomes insane at times. The gameplay is so simple, but also hard to master. Thumper is a great choice if you want to play a strange addicting Rhythm game that will test your reflexes.
– Gameplay Video
Just Sing
– See It On Amazon: PS4 | Xbox One
Just Sing is probably the most social singing game ever made. It kind of feels like the popular music app musically, but with more options, lol. What’s neat about Just Sing is that you can use your smartphone as a camera and a microphone. It’s most fun when playing with 3 friends locally or online. You will be able to see each other’s faces while singing, it’s fun and funny at the same time. You can add avatars and animation effects to your face. Just Sing also has a pretty good song list. If you become bored with the main game, you can always create your own music videos and then share them with friends and family members. The music video creator is easy to use and has a lot of filters and special effects. If you have a lot of friends or family to play with, Just Sing will provide a lot of fun on party nights!
– Gameplay Video
Rockband 4
– See It On Amazon: PS4 | Xbox One
If you have played past Rock Band games you probably have an idea what to expect from Rock Band 4. This time around there is no online mode which is a little bit of a bummer. On the flip side though everything else has been greatly improved and the campaign is awesome. The Campaign is fun to play through alone using a guitar, but it’s even better when playing with an entire band (Bass guitar player, Singer, and drummer). The graphics, music track variety, loading times, controls and menus have had an over hall for the better. Some of the more popular rock songs have already been featured in past versions of the game, however there a lot of new tracks here also. There are tons of cheap DLC track packs available in case you get tired of the 60+ tracks included. You can also import DLC content from past Rock Band Games that you have already purchased. Overall Rockband provides a solid Rock Star experience whether you’re playing alone or with a full band.
– Gameplay Video
DJMAX RESPECT (PS4 Exclusive)
– See It On PS4 Marketplace
DJMAX respect is a Korean developed rhythm game like no other. It shares similar rhythm aspects to DDR or Guitar Hero but instead, you play the game using a normal PS4 controller. The controller button layout works surprisingly well, and is quite addicting. DJMAX RESPECT features four different difficulty settings which increase speed and add in more buttons to press. When playing for the first time accurately pressing buttons might be a bit overwhelming at first. It’s best to start the game on easy and work yourself up to harder difficulty levels. What makes DJMAX really special is the number of awesome music tracks to choose from. With more than 140 songs packed in from K-pop, classical, Techno, Heavy Metal, and instrumental music genres. The animated music videos, songs and hyped up graphical effects make this game fun to play. All songs have online leader-boards, so getting the highest score possible is useful. The game also has 1vs1 2 player battles, in case you have a friend or family member to play with. If you are looking for something with unique music tracks, addicting, and challenging, DJMAX RESPECT is the game to play.
– Gameplay Video
Sound Shapes (PS4 Exclusive)
– See It On Amazon
When you mix rhythm and music with a 2D platform game, you get Sound Shapes. In Sound Shapes you play as a little round blob trying to make it to the record player at the end of each level. While progressing through levels you will activate music notes. By activating music Notes you will add more music & beats to the current music playing. Also to 100% each level and unlock new levels you must activate the music notes. The levels have obstacles and enemies, so trying to collect music notes can be a challenge at times. After you are done playing the many levels of the campaign, you can play other user-created levels online or you can create your own levels. If you happen to create some levels you are happy with, you can post them online, so other users can play them. This game will likely provide hours of fun, and it can be found very cheap (sub $5) during PSN sales.
– Gameplay Video
* Honorable Mentions *
The following games either barely missed our top or are labeled in a smaller music niche genre.
Hatsune Miku: Project Diva X (PS4 Exclusive) – The newest Rhythm game in SEGA’s popular Japanese Project Diva series. Play through over 30 tracks, featuring an assortment of concerts and mostly female character singers. This series really does remind me of SEGA’s classic rhythm game, Space Channel 5. Like DJMAX Respect, you will use your standard PS4 controller. Press buttons that appear on screen, time button presses as accurately as possible. There are a lot of unlockable items available including new costumes, songs, and stages. The mostly female cast and quirky Miku Tracks won’t appeal to everyone, overall though the gameplay is fun and engaging.
Rocksmith 2014 Edition Remastered – If you happen to own a real electric guitar, Rocksmith 2014 provides a cord that lets you plug in your guitar to your PS4 or Xbox One. This game is one of the best training tools you can use to learn how to play the guitar better. It’s also a fun game to play.
Amplitude (PS4 Exclusive) – Play as a spaceship racing on rhythm tracks. Press buttons as accurately as you can while transferring to different tracks. It’s a pretty fun game and quite addicting.
Parappa the Rapper Remastered & 2 (PS4 Exclusive) – Popular classic PS1 games, that features a dog that raps. Go through animated FMV levels dancing and rapping pressing required buttons in sequence. Not as fun as it used to be back in the PS1 days, but it’s still a cool game!
Patapon Remastered (PS4 Exclusive) – A fun game that shares gameplay from multiple genres including strategy, Rhythm, platform, and RPG. Control a tribal army with Rhythm button presses. Ordering them with Rhythm button presses is strange but it works well.
Now That’s What I Call Sing 2 – A decent karaoke-style game that has a nice pop music playlist, It is limited compared to Singstar but it’s another option.
