Video Game Review: Superbeat Xonic

Superbeat Xonic originally came out on the PlayStation Vita in 2015. As entertaining as the game was, rhythm games already have a niche audience, and the Vita didn’t have a strong base of players, to begin with. Superbeat would later release again on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2017 but lacked the portable perks that came from the original release. The game’s release on the Nintendo Switch finally gives Superbeat Xonic a chance to shine as it deserves to.

The gameplay in Superbeat Xonic is rather simple but has just enough going for it to accommodate for beginner and advanced players. Notes will start from the center of the screen and drift to the sides. The notes will head towards one of the screen’s corners, and players will have to tap the corresponding button to hit the note. On lower difficulties, players will only need to use four buttons – two on each side. Higher difficulties introduce a third button for each side, adding to the game’s difficulty more than you’d think it would.

In addition to tapping, players will also slide along some notes up and down the screen. Other notes require the player to flick a corresponding analog stick. The small variety of note types allows for the gameplay to be just diverse enough to stay engaging. At higher difficulties, the player’s rhythm, coordination, fast-thinking, and experience are all tested. The game is rather forgiving with timing, allowing players to have some leeway in pursuit of getting perfect scores.

The tutorials make the gameplay easy to understand, making Superbeat Xonic accessible to just about everyone. It won’t take long before players are comfortable with the various mechanics and earning all kinds of in-game achievements, icons, and of course, more songs. The harder difficulties are available from the start, allowing players to challenge themselves early if they desire. Of course, inexperienced players can simply play on the easier difficulties and will find that the challenge gradually increases. The progression is well-paced and fair, making sure that the game is never overwhelming or boring. Competitive players will be happy to know that Superbeat Xonic has both local and online leaderboards.

Superbeat Xonic plays well on the Nintendo Switch but it does come with a few hiccups. Those who want to play with buttons and on the go will be disappointed to know that the game isn’t at its best with joycons. It’s not awful, but the controls certainly take some getting used to due to the placement of the analog sticks. Playing with a controller makes the game feel significantly better. Fortunately, the touch controls work great. Playing with touch controls that make Superbeat a little less difficult which can affect the enjoyment of some players. It’s not a dealbreaker but certainly something to keep in mind.

There are plenty of songs and genres to choose from in Superbeat Xonic. Pop, electronic, dubstep, R&B, hip hop, and tons of other genres fill out the game’s 50+ song tracklist. There are also many more songs available for purchase, and some DLC songs are even free. Most of the music comes from Korean and Japanese artists, so those who are a fan of Jpop and Kpop will find plenty to love here.

Superbeat Xonic has some of the best presentation in the genre on Nintendo Switch. The display is filled with neon lights that give every song nightclub vibes. The bright colors are appealing and look great on both the docked and handheld display. The song selection is easy to navigate, with a few ways to sort the songs for easier access.

Superbeat Xonic is a flashy rhythm game with enjoyable gameplay and a diverse tracklist. Progressing through increasingly difficult songs while improving is satisfying. Fans of Japanese and Korean music will find plenty to enjoy in this game and should absolutely check it out.