Drumming? Drumming in a weird Japanese arcade style? Drumming in a weird Japanese arcade style on screen in Lost In Translation? I'm totally there. Plus, y'know, the game is really fun. It's not at all "Drum Hero," but instead is a completely different, fresh way to approach the whole genre. Check it out next time you poke your sunlight-deprived head into an arcade, you won't be disappointed.

Ah, pre-GH Harmonix. It seems so long ago, doesn't it? They were so young. But this is the genesis of making you feel like you feel like the creator of music. I remember picking up Frequency for the first time; I wasn't immediately hooked for the rest of time like I was when I played, say, Guitar Hero, but I distinctly remember thinking it was something different. Great ideas that could spawn real greatness. And boy, did they ever...

Definitely an odd choice (and it's why I didn't go with Top Ten Rhythm games), but at its heart the game is all about making music. Shoot something and set off one of Jonathan Mak's insanely beautiful guitar riffs. I'd ask for a soundtrack, but it wouldn't have the same personal, beautiful quality if you weren't creating it yourself. Few other musically inclined games give the sense of birthing music quite like this one.

The overlooked gem of the list. It's a cult classic, and for good reason. It was a game changer for a lot of people, winning over non-rhythm gamers like crazy (the ones who played it, at least). It's one of the best paced rhythm games out there, and lo and behold, IT ACTUALLY HAS PLOT. Plot which, by the way, is reinforced by the song selection, not unlike a musical. It got a second life on the PSP, and after you pick it up, you'll be able to tell why.

It's super cheeky and addicting in the way the best rhythm games are. Yes, you are just tap-tap-taping away on the DS to songs that, otherwise, would be considered shitty (by me, at least), but it all works like magic due to the hilarious presentation. You've got the pictured cheerleaders "leading" said hilarious charge that pulls everything together in a game that hits the right amounts of silly and pure gameplay.

I'll fully cop to snoozing on Rez the first time 'round. I enjoyed it, but didn't "get it" as those dirty intellectuals say. Queue Rez HD on XBLA. I decided to give it another chance to really sink its claws in me and it did. Something about the upgraded visuals and the classic Mizuguchi concept of mixing music via conventional gaming methods and, yes, the vibration really did work for me. It worked for me so much that I'd count it as one of my favorite music games... obviously.

These two games really started it all for me. I didn't realize my deep rooted obsession with music games until I had nailed that bigger-than-god riff of "Smoke On the Water." And once I had finally beaten the at-the-time impossible "Bark at the Moon," that was my proudest gaming moment.

Then came "Free Bird." Even now, with the release of Rock Band (which you *ahem* may or may not see later on this list) and the frankly incredible hours I put into Halo 2, Guitar Hero 2 remains my most played game of all time. For a straight year I played the game every single day. That kind of magic is just part of a perfect storm, but a whole lot of it was really due to the genius setlist. Again I say, for the love of DOG Harmonix, give us a full GH2 pack on Rock Band. I guarantee it's the highest selling thing of the past few months, perhaps a year. It's just that good.

Heyo, blocks? As a music game? Oh yes. While it might seem that Lumines is a Tetris-y block buster, true fans know it's about mixing songs like a pro with epic combos. Without the ace soundtrack and the acid-induced visuals, the game is an above-average, rather enjoyable burst puzzler. With? One of my 10 favorite games of all time, and THE marathon game next to WoW.

Note: this entry is for the original Lumines ONLY. When you start putting Black Eyed Peas in my Mizuguchi, I can barely take it.

Shock? Maybe even a little awe? I know, it's an obvious choice, especially this late in the game, but for me there really is no comparison. If anyone reading this has any doubt as to what my favorite game of all time is (and since you would absolutely have to be new to not know that, welcome), well, you've found it. The experience of singing, nay, performing "My Iron Lung" alone would make it a player.

It's just absolutely unparalleled. Period.

What's your favorite rhythm games? What did I forget? What am I wrong about? Pillage the comments, everyone. They're ripe for the taking.