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Rhythm games combined two of my favorite weaknesses: games and music. My dad used to be a disco DJ and I grew up loving and embracing all music genres. I could care less where it comes from. If the music makes me shake my bones, then I’m into it.

My fascination with rhythm games started with PaRappa The Rapper. The first time I played the game, I found joy in the rhythm and mechanics with timing. The story follows PaRappa, an innocent and optimistic rapping dog whose goal is to win the heart of his school crush, “Sunny.”

The games presents PaRappa with rapping-timed challenges whenever he is trying to impress Sunny. PaRappa overcomes all challenges with his rapping skills, heart, bravery, and unlimited optimism by calling out his favorite self-supporting quote “I GOTTA BELIEVE!” Not only is the game beautiful, but the characters are also super-likable, and the music is catchy as heck. You will feel optimistic when you finish the game. I find myself repeating PaRappa’s quote when I doubt myself time and time again. I GOTTA BELIEVE!

The late 90’s and early 2000’s happen and with it, the introduction to DDR -- Dance Dance Revolution. Produced by Konami, DDR is simple: players stand on an arcade metal platform and step on colored arrows according to musical and visual cues ←↑→↓. I was ADDICTED to DDR. I mean it. I played DDR almost every day for about an hour or two. And while DDR has been lampooned, the arrow mania revolutionized rhythm games.