Rhythm/music games list

Selected rhythm games and their initial release dates in chronological order. The general rule for my selection is games where you hit notes and FC songs. So for example Rhythm Heaven, while being an excellent rhythm game, doesn't match the criteria.

Different gameplay style = different game. This is the reason you can see some games listed more than once (such as Band Hero).

Finding this info online is a total chore so I just collected it in one place. I got more than five 24h-long IP bans on archive.org while doing my research.

Hero and RB series

• Guitar Hero (PS2) - November 8, 2005
• Guitar Hero II (PS2, X360) - November 7, 2006
• Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s (PS2) - July 24, 2007
• Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (PS2, PS3, Wii, X360, PC, OSX) - October 28, 2007
• Rock Band (X360, PS3, PS2, Wii) - November 20, 2007
• Guitar Hero III Mobile (BREW, J2ME, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile)
  • BREW - December 4, 2007
  • J2ME - March 3, 2008
  • BB - April 1, 2008 (Latest version 2.2 released September 2, 2009)
  • WM - April 9, 2008
• Guitar Hero Carabiner - March 2008
• Guitar Hero: On Tour (DS) - June 22, 2008
• Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (PS2, PS3, Wii, X360, PC, OSX) - June 29, 2008
• Rock Band Track Pack Vol. 1 (PS2, Wii) - July 15, 2008
• Guitar Hero III: Backstage Pass (J2ME, BREW, BlackBerry)
  • J2ME - July 18, 2008
  • BREW - July 18, 2008
  • BB - September 3, 2008 (Latest version 1.0.13 released July 30, 2009)
• Rock Band 2 (X360, PS3, PS2, Wii) - September 14, 2008
• Guitar Hero World Tour (X360, Wii, PS3, PS2, PC, OSX) - October 26, 2008
• Guitar Hero III Mobile: Song Pack 1 (J2ME, BREW) - October 2008
• AC/DC Live: Rock Band Track Pack (X360, PS3, PS2, Wii) - November 2, 2008
• Guitar Hero World Tour Mobile (BREW, J2ME, BlackBerry, Android, Windows Mobile, N-Gage)
  • BREW - November 13, 2008
  • J2ME - November 13, 2008
  • BB - February 25, 2009 (Latest version 11.11.1 released January 12, 2010)
  • Android - March 4, 2009 (Latest version 1.6.8 released 2010)
  • WM - 2009
  • N-Gage - August 27, 2009
• Rock Band Track Pack Vol. 2 (X360, PS3, PS2, Wii) - November 18, 2008
• Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades (DS) - November 16, 2008
• Guitar Hero 2nd Edition Carabiner - December 2008
• Guitar Hero Arcade (Arcade) - March 15, 2009 (Latest version v1.56 released 2014)
• Guitar Hero: Metallica (X360, PS3, Wii, PS2) - March 29, 2009
• Rock Band Track Pack: Classic Rock (X360, PS3, PS2, Wii) - May 19, 2009
• Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits (DS) - June 9, 2009
• Rock Band Unplugged (PSP) - June 9, 2009
• Guitar Hero Smash Hits (PS2, PS3, Wii, X360) - June 16, 2009
• Rock Band Country Track Pack (X360, PS3, PS2, Wii) - July 21, 2009
• Guitar Hero 5 (PS2, PS3, Wii, X360) - September 1, 2009
• The Beatles: Rock Band (PS3, Wii, X360) - September 9, 2009
• Rock Band Mobile (J2ME, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry)
  • J2ME - September 16, 2009
  • BREW - September 16, 2009
  • WM - September 2009 (Latest version 1.9.90 released 2010)
  • BB - 2010 (Latest version 1.5.0 released December 14, 2010)
• Rock Band Metal Track Pack (X360, PS3, PS2, Wii) - September 22, 2009
• Rock Band (iOS, Palm webOS, Android)
  • iOS - October 19, 2009 (Latest version 1.3.54 released November 30, 2010)
  • webOS - 2010 (Latest version 1.2.75 released 2010)
  • Android - 2011
• DJ Hero (PS2, PS3, Wii, X360) - October 27, 2009
• Band Hero (PS2, PS3, Wii, X360) - November 3, 2009
• Band Hero (DS) - November 3, 2009
• LEGO Rock Band (PS3, Wii, X360) - November 3, 2009
• LEGO Rock Band (DS) - November 3, 2009
• Guitar Hero 5 Mobile (J2ME, BREW, Android, Windows Mobile, Palm webOS, BlackBerry, Windows Phone)
  • J2ME - November 24, 2009
  • BREW - November 24, 2009
  • Android - 2009 (Latest version 1.3.1 released October 27, 2010)
  • WM - 2009
  • webOS - 2009 (Latest version 1.1.1 released 2010)
  • BB - December 2009 (Latest version 2.0.0 released August 6, 2010)
  • WP - October 21, 2010 (Latest version 1.2.0.0 released February 15, 2011)
• Guitar Hero: Van Halen (PS2, PS3, Wii, X360) - December 22, 2009
• Guitar Hero World Tour Mobile: Backstage Pass (BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, J2ME, BREW, Android)
  • BB - April 28, 2010
  • WM - 2010
  • J2ME - May 13, 2010
  • BREW - May 13, 2010
  • Android - May 13, 2010
• Guitar Hero (iOS) - June 7, 2010 (Latest version 2.1.0 released October 28, 2012)
• Green Day: Rock Band (PS3, Wii, X360) - June 8, 2010
• Guitar Hero 5 Mobile: More Music (J2ME, BREW) - June 2010
• DJ Hero Mobile (J2ME, BREW, BlackBerry, Android)
  • J2ME - September 2, 2010
  • BREW - September 2, 2010
  • BB - September 8, 2010
  • Android - July 12, 2011
• Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock (PS3, Wii, X360) - September 24, 2010
• Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock Mobile (J2ME, BREW, Android, BlackBerry)
  • J2ME - October 7, 2010
  • BREW - October 7, 2010
  • Android - October 7, 2010 (Latest version 1.2.2 released March 23, 2011)
  • BB - November 23, 2010
• DJ Hero 2 (PS3, Wii, X360) - October 19, 2010
• Rock Band 3 (PS3, X360, Wii) - October 26, 2010
• Rock Band 3 (DS) - October 26, 2010
• Rock Band Reloaded (iOS) - December 2, 2010
• Rock Band Reloaded (J2ME, BlackBerry)
  • J2ME - December 2010
  • BB - January 3, 2011 (Latest version 3.0.0 released September 28, 2011)
• Rock Band Country Track Pack 2 (X360, PS3, Wii) - February 1, 2011
• Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock Mobile More Music (J2ME, BREW) - July 2011
• Rock Band Blitz (PS3, X360) - August 28, 2012
• Rock Band 3: Blitz Import (PS3, X360) - August 28, 2012
• Rock Band 4 (PS4, XB1) - October 6, 2015
• Guitar Hero Live (PS3, PS4, WiiU, X360, XB1, iOS) - October 20, 2015
• Rock Band Rivals (PS4, XB1) - October 18, 2016
• Rock Band VR (PC) - March 23, 2017
• Fortnite Festival (PC, macOS, PS4, XB1, Switch, Android, XSX, PS5) - December 9, 2023

Other games with 5-fret controller support

• PC Guitar Hero Clone (PC) - July 17, 2006 (Latest version 0.3 released July 25, 2006)
• Frets on Fire (PC, Linux, OSX) - August 3, 2006 (Latest version 1.3.110 released November 5, 2008)
• Freetar Hero (PC, OSX) - August 19, 2006 (Latest version released November 1, 2006)
• Frets on Fire RF-mod (PC, Linux) - December 2, 2006 (Latest version 4.15 released January 4, 2008)
• Guitar Zero (PC) - January 25, 2007
• Guitar Zero 2 / Frontman (PC) - December 24, 2007 (Latest version 6.3 released August 3, 2008)
• Guitarfun (Wii, PS2, PC) - July 25, 2007 (Latest version 3.5 released November 23, 2008)
• Frets on Fire Hering mod (PC) - August 12, 2007 (Latest version 1.99a released September 17, 2007)
• Guitar Rage (PC) - August 2007 (Latest version 2.5 released 2009)
• Frets on Fire Coffee's Ultimate Mod (PC) - February 2008 (Latest version released March 4, 2008)
• Unsigned (PC, X360) - February 22, 2008 (Latest version v2.0.0.141 released June 13, 2009)
• Frets on Fire MFH-Alarian Mod (PC, OSX, Linux) - April 6, 2008 (Latest version 3.017 released October 16, 2008)
• Strings on Speed (PC) - June 11, 2008 (Latest version 0.9 released September 6, 2009)
• Guitar Praise (PC, OSX) - September 25, 2008
• Rock Revolution (PS3, X360, Wii) - October 15, 2008
• FoFiX (PC, Linux, OSX) - October 24, 2008 (Latest version 4.0.0 alpha 1 released November 27, 2010)
• PopStar Guitar (Wii, PS2) - November 18, 2008
• JamLegend (Web) - December 4, 2008
• Guitars On Fire (Wii) - June 27, 2009 (Latest version 1.1 released January 10, 2010‎)
• Guitar Praise Expansion Pack 1 (PC, OSX) - September 2009
• Rockfan (PC) - November 19, 2009 (Latest version 1.10.365 released July 9, 2012)
• Phase Shift [Free] (PC) - March 20, 2010 (Latest version 1.27g released May 3, 2018)
• Guitar Praise Stryper Expansion Pack (PC, OSX) - March 2010
• Pulse (Linux, PC) - May 14, 2010 (Latest version r33 released September 9, 2010)
• SingStar Guitar (PS3) - October 15, 2010
• Power Gig: Rise of the SixString (PS3, X360) - October 19, 2010
• Guitarrero (PC) - December 4, 2010
• JamProject (PC, OSX) - April 21, 2011 (Latest version Beta 1 Bronze)
• Guitar Gods (PC, OSX, Linux) - June 2, 2013 (Latest version 1.4 released October 11, 2013)
• rocklegend (Web) - May 4, 2014 (Latest version v0.11.4 released November 17, 2019)
• Clone Hero (PC, macOS, Linux) - March 1, 2017
• Phase Shift [Steam] (PC) - April 25, 2019
• YARG (PC, Linux, macOS) - December 22, 2022

Guitarway To Heaven series (PSP)

• Mainline

  • Guitarway To Heaven - September 2007
  • Guitarway To Heaven 2 - December 25, 2007
  • Guitarway To Heaven The Final Solo - February 28, 2008
  • Guitarway To Heaven 4 Demo - April 28, 2008
  • Guitarway To Heaven 4 Amplified - May 5, 2008
  • Guitarway To Heaven Metallica - June 7, 2008
  • Guitarway To Heaven Forever - June 30, 2008
  • Guitarway To Heaven 5 Superstar - April 14, 2009
  • Guitarway To Heaven Slipknot - September 9, 2009

• Official song packs

  • Guitarway To Heaven Avenged Sevenfold Song Pack - July 5, 2008
  • Guitarway To Heaven Black Stone Cherry Song Pack - September 30, 2008
  • Guitarway To Heaven Led Zeppelin Song Pack - October 15, 2008
  • Guitarway To Heaven Saliva Song Pack - November 1, 2008
  • Guitarway To Heaven Rammstein Song Pack - November 1, 2008
  • Guitarway To Heaven Ozzy Osbourne Song Pack - December 21, 2008
  • Guitarway To Heaven AC/DC Pack - February 8, 2009
  • Guitarway To Heaven HIM Pack - January 15, 2009

• Packs made by forum admins

  • Guitarway To Heaven Forever: Cold Day In Hell - July 29, 2008
  • Guitarway To Heaven Forever: Cold Day In Hell II - July 29, 2008
  • Guitarway To Heaven Forever: Cold Day In Hell III - July 29, 2008
  • Guitarway To Heaven Forever: Cold Day In Hell IV - July 29, 2008
  • Guitarway To Heaven Forever: Dethklok Edition - August 31, 2008
  • Guitarway To Heaven Forever: Nightmare Edition - August 31, 2008
  • Guitarway To Heaven Forever: A Very Rock Christmas - October 31, 2008
  • Guitarway To Heaven Kire's Pack - March 11, 2009
  • Guitarway To Heaven Forever: Cold Day In Hell V - July 14, 2009
  • Guitarway To Heaven Forever: Megadeth Preview Pack - July 21, 2009
  • Guitarway To Heaven Scorpions Pack - August 31, 2009
  • Guitarway To Heaven Guns N' Roses Pack - September 23, 2009

Other games

• beatmania (PS1) - October 1, 1998
• pop'n music (PS1, Dreamcast) - February 25, 1999
• Dance Dance Revolution (PS1) - April 10, 1999
• GuitarFreaks (PS1) - July 29, 1999
• Pump It Up The Fusion: The 1st N' 2nd Dance Floor (PC) - January 2000
• Pump It Up The Fusion O.B.G: The 3rd Dance Floor (PC) - July 2000
• DrumMania (PS2) - March 4, 2000
• Pump It Up The Fusion O.B.G: The Season Evolution Dance Floor (PC) - November 2000
• Pump It Up: The Fusion Perfect Collection (PC) - April 2001
• Pump It Up: The Fusion Premiere (PC) - September 2001
• StepMania (PC, OSX, Linux) - August 21, 2001
• Frequency (PS2) - November 20, 2001
• Britney's Dance Beat (GBA, PS2) - March 26, 2002
• Pump It Up: BanYa Collection (PC) - May 2002
• Britney's Dance Beat (PC) - June 20, 2002
• Taiko no Tatsujin: Tatakon de Dodon ga Don (PS2) - October 24, 2002
• Amplitude (PS2) - March 25, 2003
• Karaoke Revolution (PS2) - October 24, 2003
• American Idol (PS2, PC) - November 7, 2003
• Pump It Up: The Prex 3 (PC) - November 2003
• American Idol (GBA) - November 18, 2003
• DJMax Online (PC) - June 13, 2004
• SingStar series (PS2, PS3, PS4) - May 21, 2004
• UltraStar (PC) - August 22, 2004
• Get On Da Mic (PS2) - October 5, 2004
• In The Groove (PS2, PC, OSX) - June 17, 2005
• Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan (DS) - July 28, 2005
• Dance Praise (PC) - September 29, 2005
• PSP Revolution (PSP) - October 31, 2005
• Dance Dance Revolution (J2ME, BlackBerry) - May 2, 2006
• Elite Beat Agents (DS) - November 8, 2006
• Gunnar Hero (PSP) - March 17, 2007 (Latest version 0.21 released 2007)
• Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2 (DS) - May 17, 2007
• Hot Wheels Hot Rod Rock (Flash) - August 2007
• Guitar Legend: Get On Stage! (J2ME) - August 30, 2007
• osu! (PC, macOS) - September 16, 2007
• Phase (iPod) - November 6, 2007
• UltraStar Deluxe (PC, macOS, Linux) - December 23, 2007
• Metalocalypse: Deth Toll (Flash) - January 2008
• Tap Tap Revenge (iOS) - July 11, 2008
• Guitarra Gero (PSP) - September 8, 2008 (Latest version 2.5 released August 25, 2009)
• Rock Revolution (DS) - October 15, 2008
• Lips (X360) - November 18, 2008
• GuitarStar (PSP) - January 14, 2009 (Latest version 1.02 released February 20, 2009)
• osu! (iOS) - January 21, 2009 (Latest version 0.1.9-1 released 2010)
• Metalocalypse: Deth Toll II (Flash) - May 2009
• Just Dance (Wii) - November 17, 2009
• American Idol (J2ME, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Palm OS, Android) - 2009
• American Idol 2 (J2ME) - December 7, 2009
• Zombeat (iOS) - December 21, 2009
• Pole Dance Hero / Pole Dance Party (Flash) - January 7, 2010
• Def Jam Rapstar (PS3, Wii, X360) - October 5, 2010
• Dance Central (X360) - November 4, 2010
• Pole Dance Party 2 (Flash) - November 5, 2010
• Michael Jackson: The Experience (Wii, PS3, X360) - November 23, 2010
• Michael Jackson: The Experience (DS) - November 23, 2010
• Michael Jackson: The Experience (PSP) - November 23, 2010
• Michael Jackson: The Experience Minigame (Facebook) - November 2010
• Pulsen [Free] (PC) - October 3, 2011 (Latest version r0014 released November 14, 2012)
• Rocksmith (PS3, X360, PC) - October 18, 2011
• Michael Jackson: The Experience (3DS, iOS, PSV) - November 7, 2011
• osu!stream (iOS, Android) - August 1, 2011
• Theatrhythm Final Fantasy (3DS, iOS) - February 16, 2012
• A-Band (X360) - April 13, 2012
• osu! WP (Windows Phone) - February 4, 2013 (Latest version 2.1.5.0 released April 1, 2014)
• Rocksmith 2014 (PC, OSX, PS3, X360, PS4, XB1) - October 22, 2013
• BandFuse: Rock Legends (X360, PS3) - November 19, 2013
• osu!droid (Android) - 2014
• Record Run (iOS, Android) - May 8, 2014
• opsu! (PC, macOS, Linux, Android) - Jun 30, 2014
• Pulsen [Steam] (PC) - July 27, 2015
• Amplitude (PS4, PS3) - January 5, 2016
• Rocksmith (iOS) - May 17, 2017
• iosu! (iOS) - May 17, 2017 (Latest version v0.3.1 released December 4, 2017)
• Twitch Sings (PC, macOS) - April 13, 2019
• Beat Saber - May 21, 2019
• Project OutFox (PC, macOS, Linux) - December 13, 2019
• Friday Night Funkin' (PC, macOS, Linux, Web) - October 5, 2020
• Queen: Rock Tour (iOS, Android) - March 1, 2021
• Rocksmith+ (PC, Android, iOS) - September 6, 2022

Minigames

• みんなの王子様 (DDR) - December 4, 2003
• Metalocalypse: Dethgame (Guitar Hero) - August 22, 2009
• Sleeping Dogs (Karaoke) - August 14, 2012
• Yakuza 5 (Taiko) - December 5, 2012
• Night In The Woods (Guitar Hero) - February 21, 2017

Cancelled games

• DJ Hero 3D (3DS)
• Guitar Hero 7 (X360, PS3)
• Michael Jackson: The Experience (OSX) - either cancelled, fake news or lost media
• StrikeLine (PC, macOS, Linux) - I doubt it's ever coming out