The Best Final Fantasy Rhythm Games, Ranked

Considering how highly-praised and well-liked Final Fantasy soundtracks are, it’s surprising it took until 2012 for a rhythm game spin-off to appear. Theatrhythm Final Fantasy made its debut on the Nintendo 3DS, but over time it has seen follow-ups on a variety of platforms. There have even been a couple of spin-offs of the spin-off, covering other Square Enix franchises. Which one is best? From the bottom to the top, here are the best Final Fantasy rhythm games, ranked.

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy (Mobile)

Pulling in last place is the now-defunct mobile version of Theatrhythm Final Fantasy. While this version played well enough, it stripped out many of the modes and features found in the other game. Many of the RPG elements were removed from the game, particularly with regards to character customization. The monetization model seemed egregious at the time, but it really just set the tone for the series. The final nail in the coffin? It’s no longer available.

Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory

Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is slipping in on a technicality. Sure, most of the music in here is from Kingdom Hearts games. Almost all of it, really. With that said, Kingdom Hearts games sometimes include Final Fantasy music, and that’s the case here as well. Anyway, that’s why this is here and Theatrhythm Dragon Quest isn’t. As for why it’s this low in the rankings, it comes down to the shift to 3D. It makes it a little harder to gauge the timing, and that’s just enough to knock it down a few ranks. Plus, it would be a bit gauche to have a Kingdom Hearts game too far up a list of the best Final Fantasy rhythm games.

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy (Nintendo 3DS)

It’s the original game, and it still holds up nicely. It has the lowest number of songs of any of the games, and the overall package feels bare by comparison. In some ways, it feels as much like a celebration of the Final Fantasy series as it does its own game. Only a handful of choice cuts from each installment are here, and very few characters are playable. Nevertheless, there’s a purity to this game that is charming even in the face of its bigger follow-ups.

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: All-Star Carnival

There is one very big negative to this arcade version of Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: it has only been officially released in Japan. It might be a little difficult to find it if you aren’t in that country. If you do get a chance to play it, you’ll find it offers a robust selection of tunes and a very unique control layout. You can also play cooperatively with another player, which is a lot of fun. If you happen to find yourself in a Japanese arcade, keep your eyes open for it!

Theatrhythm Final Bar Line

The latest release in the series has by far the largest list of tracks and the greatest number of characters. Since it was built to play across multiple platforms, Final Bar Line doesn’t offer touch controls. This allows it to adopt more complex patterns, similar to those found in All-Star Carnival. Some might say that’s a good thing, others might say it’s a bad thing. The various modes in this game are quite straightforward, suitable for those who just want to get right to the action.

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call

When it comes to the top of the pile for the best Final Fantasy rhythm games, Curtain Call still has my vote. While the list of songs isn’t quite as large as that of Final Bar Line, it’s still massive. The loss of the eShop has cut down on the potential total of songs you can have, but the base game has a lot to dig into. The RPG elements are at their strongest here, and the different modes and collectibles give you plenty to play with. You also have the option to use touch controls or button controls. Choices are good!

Which Final Fantasy rhythm game is your favorite? Let us know below!