Rhtythm games are games which require the player / players to compete for a high score by hitting timed button presses and holds. In many respects rhythm games can be seen as the grand masterwork of all QTEs, however they predate the QTE by at least 5 years.

Many of the rhythm games available today are music (Guitar Hero, Jubeat) or dance (Dance Dance Revolution, Beatmania) focused, due to the inherent use of rhythm in both. For this reason, many of them require, or are enhanced by, proprietory controllers, including the Guitar Controller (Guitar Hero, Rockband), the grid touch panel (Jubeat) and the infamous Dance Mat (DDR et al.). Most of these controllers are commercially available for home use, but originated in the interactivity of the Arcade setting. Many players of Stepmania, however, still use their keyboard due to the lack of physical exertion it requires, this leads to less fatigue and higher high scores.

Popular rhythm games include, Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero and Reflecbeat.