Sure, you've heard of DDR and who hasn't? But did you know Rhythm games remain a staple in the industry? Sure, it's a very small staple tucked away to a hidden spot not to be confused with a pencil mark, but it's there. And even if the concept makes you groan, it's still there. And these are the top ten.

This is unusual. A rhymn game on.. a handheld? And one which is slightly superior to the game it clones (Beatmania). To top it all off, a killer music selection, unlimited gameplay modes, and even a msuic video gallery. Although unlocking everything can be the blazes, the magic of gamesaves makes it enjoyable by everyone. Even if players must import this title, the PSP being region free offers little excuse why this title isn't in every PSP collection. Or at least rhythm game fans.

I guess I pretty much have to place a phsyical dancing game here. But why not DDR? Truth be told, DDR was rather contrictive in movement. You had to get good before you could begin even the slightest hint of a trick. Pump It Up? Well, let's just say the layout remains showboat special. Not to mention it featured a robust lineup of music that was genuinely good compared to it's competitor, who anyone who's not a fan can accurately call "annoyingly busy." Though I know many will hate me, I just gotta give the props to Pump It Up in this particular arena.

Is it all just a dream? Did I really just ride a UFO trying to out thrash on a supery Europop track? Did the drum and bass space shark really just jam out some Reggae? Is that really a jazz musician in a bumble bee suit? And is the main logos soundbyte dangerously close to an orgasm? Yes, my friends, yes. Gitaroo Man plays silky smooth but the story is told like something out of the most bizarre concept book of Lewis Caroll. And we love it for that.

Personally, I was never a big fan. But I was, perhaps, one of the only ones. Parappa made a huge splash thanks to it's memorable music, outrageous story, and unique art style. Just tell them Master Onion sent you.

From some deranged thought process comes a space reporter in Go Go boots trying to rescue hostages, outdance aliens, and even putting a halt to Space Michaels imprisonment. One of the collest features of this game is the fact that successfully rescued hostages actually change the background music as they march along with your army.

Take everything that was great about the first (Frequency) and kick it up by ten. Amplitude required razor sharp reflexes to maintain a decent song mix and while it's the first time Harmonix shows up on this list, it's definately not the last.

Who would have though a monkey and his maracas could be a concept worth getting into? But as the samba beat takes hold of Reel Big Fish's remake of Take On Me by Ah-ha, those annoyingly bright plastic maracas take flight. Pose!

Okay, so you have this pair of bongos with no apparent use after you've mastered being on the road again. Whatever is a fella to do? Answer comes in the form of Jungle Beat. Most music games get their peripheral for that one outting, never offering anything outside of song packs, but the drums on Gamecube actually received a full fledged adventure game controllered entirely by drumming, clapping, and... drumming your way through the game.

It may not have been the first guitar simulator, but it's definately the best. And not by short leaps either. Guitar Hero did something no other rhythm game has done, removed the "dork" label from peripheral based gameplay. Anyone from school teachers to stoners could grip the plastic axe and find instant joy being reminded that, yes, Ziggy did, in fact, play guitar...

Such a simple concept. Take your unusual character and outdance your opponent. And yet it never really caught on. The gameplay was flawless and the music score was beyond question, but it remained a passed over gem until it found it's home as a heavily sought after niche title.

And there you go. Certain titles didn't make the list and for that, I'm sorry. Also, I'm sorry I couldn't appease the DDR and In The Groove fans out there by at least having one showing but I just felt these games were superior. But then again, these lists are all about opinion. And if you take the P and I out of opinion, you're left with an onion. A master onion, that is.

List by sheppyboy2000