Runner3 (Switch)

As you can tell from its title, Runner3 is the third in the BIT.TRIP series of Runner games starting Commander Video as he runs, slides, jumps and kicks his way through courses collecting gold and avoiding obstacles.

The movement is tied to the beat of the soundtrack and with narration from Charles Martinet (Mario himself) Runner3 is a quirky, vibrant addition to Switch's tracklist that is bursting with fun and creativity.

Fitness Boxing (Switch)

Fitness Boxing and its sequels are breezy, energetic games that get your blood pumping. They take pointers from the Just Dance series and various rhythm games to deliver some light CV in time to the beat. It’s no substitute for hard hours at the gym, but there’s certainly potential to tone up those arms and shed a few pounds.

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It would be a mistake to buy this thinking you’re getting some magical antidote to your spare tyre or a game in the traditional sense, but it kept us coming back for more. If the full-body workout of Ring Fit Adventure feels too much like hard work, this rhythm-based alternative splits the difference nicely.

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MUSYNX (Switch)

Musynx doesn't get bogged down with peripheral narrative nonsense - it strips back non-essential parts to the bare essentials of pure rhythm game fun. Its beat-based gameplay and inputs are top-notch however you decide to play and, while it may not stand out in the crowd, there's a straightforward arcade purity to it which we very much enjoy.

With an upbeat tracklist and great presentation, Musynx is a fabulous option for rhythm fans on Switch.

Octahedron: Transfixed Edition (Switch eShop)

A 2D platformer where the rhythm and flow of the soundtrack dictates the movement of the environment, Octahedron: Transfixed Edition has you creating your own platforms and 'surfing' them across the screen in a game which is worth the price of admission for its music alone. It's an intense, neon-drenched indie offering that you're sure to fall for if you give it a chance.

Groove Coaster Wai Wai Party!!!! (Switch eShop)

Incorporating elements from Taito's rich back catalogue of gaming icons, Groove Coaster Wai Wai Party!!!! is a fun rollercoaster of a rhythm game with varied, accessible input options that let you get into the groove much quicker than some of the other winning entries on this list.

Chaining combos together in time to the addictive Japanese catalogue of tracks is brilliant fun, and with over 100 tracks on offer in the base game, Groove Coaster is definitely worth hitting up if you're game for a (wai wai) party.

Hexagroove: Tactical DJ (Switch eShop)

One of 2019's biggest surprises, Hexagroove: Tactical DJ adds a layer of strategy to its beat-based mechanics which sets it apart from the crowd. Switching between instruments in order to please the throng of dancers before you, whether they cheer or jeer is entirely down to your skills.

It's up to you to read the room and one of Hexagroove's greatest successes is replicating the feeling when you're in a club and the initial notes of a familiar favourite drop in. And the crowd goes wild! It's far deeper than we have space to go into here, but rest assured that it's a thrilling ride.

Songbird Symphony (Switch eShop)

Combining laid-back platforming with listen-and-repeat musical phrases, developer Joysteak hasn’t stumbled upon some magical undiscovered gameplay fusion of rhythm-game and platformer. However, if you’d like to play a nice and easy game in a rather unique space — with some headroom for more advanced music gaming — Songbird Symphony delivers with style and humour.

Sayonara Wild Hearts (Switch eShop)

Short and sweet, Sayonara Wild Hearts takes you on an emotional rhythm journey where you'll run, jump and ride motorcycles all in time to the beat. It's not a game that outstays its welcome and is all the better for it.

Featuring a hypnotic art style, excellent audio and a famous narrator, it was one of our favourite experiences from 2019 and a short trip you should definitely take.

AVICII Invector Encore Edition (Switch)

Avicii: Invector is a fitting tribute to an artist who died tragically young. It’s a huge boost if you already enjoy his music, but even haters will have to respect the work that’s gone into this fast-paced, well-designed rhythm action title. It’s just a shame that Tim Bergling never had a chance to see it come together so nicely.

Still, until we get Pet Shop Boys: Invector, it’s the best single-artist music game we’ve had the pleasure of playing.

Mad Rat Dead (Switch)

With its wacky storyline and stylish graphics, Mad Rat Dead would be a confident platformer even without the rhythm mechanics. But with the help of an excellent soundtrack, it’s a rhythm-based platforming experience that feels wholly original, even if it’s not the first game to blend those genres.

It can be tricky at times, but with the help of the rewind function, it’s one that feels relatively breezy overall, letting you just sink into the music and bust out those sick moves.

Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory (Switch)

Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a game that’s obviously designed as a love letter to longtime fans of the franchise, but it also bears almost no resemblance at all to the gameplay that made the preceding titles such a hit. As a rhythm game, it’s a perfectly enjoyable and content-rich entry in the genre, but a substantial amount of its meaning and appeal will be lost on rhythm fans who don’t have a background with the previous games.

Either way, we think Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is certainly worth your time. It's a fun and engaging rhythm game with potentially hundreds of hours of replayability and a killer setlist of music to back it up.

Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Mega Mix (Switch eShop)

Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Mega Mix is a strong portable version of a truly joyous rhythm game which loses out a little in terms of track numbers in comparison to the likes of series stablemate Future Tone, but makes up for this with a surprisingly solid Switch-exclusive motion control mode alongside touchscreen controls and a new art style that helps keep things running smoothly as you blast your way through its eclectic mix of excellent music.

It's a perfect fit for dipping in and out of in handheld and is extremely welcoming to newcomers whilst still providing plenty of tough challenges for veteran rhythm game fans.