Trombone Champ

98%
Game Brain Score Based on 6,169 reviews
  • music
  • humor
  • story
Trombone Champ Game Cover
Though slightly held back by its visual presentation and potentially polarising humour, Trombone Champ is a respectable rhythm game with enjoyable gameplay that fans of the genre are bound to enjoy.
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"Trombone Champ" is a rhythm music game where you play as a trombonist, freely playing any note at any time to the beat of over 50 tracks. Collect Tromboner Cards to unlock new trombones and backgrounds, or improvise in Freeplay Mode. With baboons appearing on many screens and no microtransactions, this game is fun for all ages.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 6,169 reviews
music223 positive mentions
grinding28 negative mentions
  • music917 mentions

    The music in "Trombone Champ" is a standout feature, offering a diverse selection of classical, jazz, and original tracks that are both entertaining and humorous. While the game includes a limited number of songs, the ability to add custom tracks through mods significantly enhances replayability and enjoyment. Players appreciate the comedic elements intertwined with the music, making it a unique and engaging experience for both music enthusiasts and casual gamers alike.

    • “It's a great game for music fanatics, and hotdogs too.”
    • “The music is truly fantastic, some easy and some that give you a real challenge, and playing along with the tracks is a delight.”
    • “The songs are recognizable and very enjoyable, along with a few original bangers by Holy Wow and Max Tundra.”
    • “The game is fun but the song selection is horrible.”
    • “I saw someone on YouTube playing 'Take On Me', my favorite song, and that was actually the only thing that tempted me to buy it. Unfortunately, this song is not available and regardless of that, there is only one good song in this game, 'House of the Rising Sun'. Other than that, there are Christmas carols and classical music.”
    • “The only thing the game needs is more songs and it seems like the developers are releasing new tracks regularly so get it now!”
  • humor633 mentions

    The humor in "Trombone Champ" is widely praised for its absurdity and charm, often drawing comparisons to the comedic styles of the Muppets and Looney Tunes. Players find the game hilariously entertaining, especially when they miss notes, as the resulting sounds and visuals evoke laughter rather than frustration. While the humor may not resonate with everyone—particularly those who dislike toilet jokes—many reviewers appreciate its unique blend of silliness, clever writing, and engaging gameplay, making it a standout in the rhythm game genre.

    • “The humor in this game brings me back to high school marching band.”
    • “The game's humor here is top notch and really isn't afraid to make fun of itself or the player.”
    • “It's a funny little game, with a little bit of a silly story alongside it (some parts of which are slightly hidden and have to be discovered) so that playing the tunes feels like it has a purpose.”
    • “Kinda unfunny, not gonna lie.”
    • “Also not funny.”
    • “The rest of it is unfunny, annoying, and highly disrespectful to the trombone, the most noble of brass instruments.”
  • story184 mentions

    The story of "Trombone Champ" is a quirky and humorous journey that combines absurdity with surprisingly deep lore, featuring themes of competition and self-improvement. Players unlock a variety of characters and tracks while navigating a narrative filled with comedic elements and unexpected twists, often likened to the complexity of "Dark Souls." Although the main storyline is relatively short, lasting around 4-6 hours, it offers a fun and engaging experience that encourages exploration and replayability through hidden secrets and community-driven content.

    • “With hours worth of secrets and even a crazy out-of-this-world storyline, the game is one of the most exciting rhythm games I have played as of late.”
    • “The story is funny and the gameplay is challenging and engaging.”
    • “The story this game told was cute, the secrets weren't too out of reach and were fun to discover, and the game was very enjoyable.”
    • “Without mods, and without wanting to do the somewhat grindy aspect of getting the main story finished, you don't have much to do besides play a few instrumental songs.”
    • “The game itself has a strange judgment mechanism that makes it difficult for even players with more experience playing rhythm games to get used to quickly, and the hidden nature of the main story plot makes it largely difficult for players to develop the game's plot without searching for a guide.”
    • “The plot elements sprinkled in are honestly kind of forced, and the card collecting aspect was very tedious, making me convert one currency into cards, to then convert into another currency to then dump in a hole on loop over and over until the end.”
  • gameplay179 mentions

    The gameplay of "Trombone Champ" is widely praised for its unique and engaging mechanics, blending humor with addictive rhythm challenges that appeal to both casual players and rhythm game veterans. While the core gameplay is intuitive and satisfying, some players note that it can become repetitive and may suffer from minor technical issues. Overall, the game offers a fun, chaotic experience with a variety of songs and a lively modding community that enhances replayability.

    • “Super unique, fun gameplay and an absurd amount of silliness.”
    • “The gameplay is where Trombone Champ hits all the right notes, quite literally.”
    • “The gameplay is intuitive and engaging, and the controls are smooth and responsive.”
    • “It gets a bit repetitive somewhat quickly, but mods help add a few more hours of gameplay before the experience gets too stale.”
    • “It's nice that it uses an average, but the way that the champ bonus is calculated leads to some of the worst feeling gameplay I have ever experienced.”
    • “To dive a bit more into what makes the gameplay so painful, I think the biggest problem is the latency.”
  • graphics43 mentions

    The graphics of "Trombone Champ" are widely praised for their vibrant, cartoonish style that enhances the game's humorous and immersive experience. Players appreciate the colorful visuals and expressive character designs, which contribute to a whimsical atmosphere reminiscent of classic rhythm games. While some note minor technical glitches, the overall aesthetic is considered charming and engaging, making it a visually appealing title.

    • “The graphics are so vibrant and silly, it's like playing in a cartoon world where trombones rule supreme.”
    • “The game's vibrant and dynamic graphics, coupled with its intuitive interface, provide an immersive environment that captivates players from the outset.”
    • “The attention to detail in the visuals and sound design adds to the overall immersion, making players feel like true champions of the trombone.”
    • “Interesting rhythm game, with lots of classic songs but a rather annoying aesthetic.”
    • “If you get motion sick or too overwhelmed with the visuals, they give you the option to turn it off; however, then the game loses all its charm.”
    • “Maybe the technical problems will be solved at one point; the game reminds me a lot of the Japanese rhythm games like Taiko no Tatsujin, including the wacky graphics going on with the music, but it is not really close to that type of gameplay at the current stage.”
  • grinding30 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and time-consuming, particularly in the campaign mode where players must repeatedly play a limited selection of songs to achieve high ranks and complete achievements. While some find the grind enjoyable and rewarding, especially when mastering songs, many reviewers express frustration over the repetitive nature of the tasks and the lack of diverse content, suggesting that the experience can feel stretched and monotonous. Overall, the game balances its goofy charm with a significant grind that may deter some players.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Did 100% achievements, now normally some games are very fun to get achievements but this game felt so grindy and absurd especially with the song selection.”
    • “The elephant in the room is how the adventure toward the trombone champ title (campaign mode) feels ridiculously grindy given the short amount of songs available to play.”
    • “But its heavy lean into grinding a stagnant soundtrack takes every joke it makes and stretches them far beyond their limit.”
  • emotional26 mentions

    Players describe the emotional experience of the game as a profound blend of joy, laughter, and nostalgia, often leading to tears of happiness. The heartfelt story and engaging community foster a deep connection, making players feel like they are living out their musical dreams while also providing wholesome moments that resonate on a personal level. Overall, the game is celebrated for its ability to evoke strong emotions, from laughter to heartfelt reflection.

    • “Littered with rich, intelligent themes that could have only been procured by an individual with extensive life experience and a story to tell, topped off with a heartfelt message that eases the soul.”
    • “It's so overwhelmingly joyful and goofy and heartfelt all at once.”
    • “This game really made me feel like I was living out my childhood fantasy of being the greatest trombone player in the world.”
  • replayability21 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, particularly due to its engaging music tracks, modding capabilities, and the ability to import custom charts, which can provide virtually infinite replay value. However, some players noted that once they completed the main content, their interest in continuing diminished, suggesting that replayability may vary based on individual preferences. Despite this, many found the game to be fun and accessible, making it a solid choice for those seeking arcade-style gameplay.

    • “There is absolutely great replay value when it comes to the music tracks.”
    • “Recommended overall because as a game it offers simple, satisfying, highly replayable arcade fun, and to be fair the game at no point locks actual gameplay content behind its 'story'.”
    • “For a rhythm game from an insanely small dev team (~2-3 people), there is an insane amount of replay value and easter eggs.”
    • “I felt that multiple difficulties for charts could have added some replay value.”
    • “The replayability is there if you want it, but for me personally, once I've completed everything I'm not particularly interested in continuing to play.”
    • “Replay value is extremely low.”
  • optimization15 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally solid, with no major performance issues reported, allowing players to enjoy a vast song selection without interruptions. However, some users noted challenges with latency and stuttering that can detract from the experience, particularly during more difficult tracks. While the game is fun and engaging, it could benefit from further polish and optimization to enhance gameplay consistency.

    • “With a massive deck of songs to play through and of course a ranking system for your performance, it will be almost addicting to try and reach the highest grade for each song.”
    • “No performance issues and very light.”
    • “I was in the top 200 in the leaderboards first try for most songs, so I think most musicians will enjoy this game once they get the finicky latency and stuttering under control.”
    • “Fun and promising idea but requires some more polish and better optimizations.”
    • “I suck at this game, so after the first 45 minutes as the more difficult tracks constantly devolved into unlistenable flailing, my partner stopped finding it funny and started getting annoyed, and I began just waiting for the songs to end because I couldn't stand listening to my own poor performance.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by a fun and comedic tone, blending humor with a grotesque aesthetic. Players are treated to absurd interpretations of familiar household songs, enhancing the unique and engaging environment throughout the game.

    • “Oh, and don't forget the super fun atmosphere and comedy this game has.”
    • “The game as a whole is full of a funny and grotesque atmosphere, where players can enjoy the absurd and unique versions of various household songs played by trombone.”
    • “Every aspect of the game is laden with humor and a great atmosphere.”
  • stability3 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is inconsistent; while some players enjoy smooth performance, others experience frequent freezing issues that hinder gameplay. Despite occasional glitches, the graphics and environments are generally well-received, and the game runs effectively on the Steam Deck.

    • “It runs great on Steam Deck, and playing with the touchpad isn't as much of a hindrance as you would think!”
    • “The game maintains a steady frame rate, even during intense action sequences.”
    • “I've experienced minimal bugs, which really enhances the overall gameplay experience.”
    • “When I first got this game, it was very good and I had loads of fun, but now I can't even play because every time I try to play a song, it freezes and doesn't work.”
    • “The game offers some nice graphics and environments, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization model of the game is praised for its absence of microtransactions, which contributes to a more enjoyable experience, as highlighted by users who find it appealing and reminiscent of entertaining games advertised on social media.

    • “There are no microtransactions, which makes the experience much more enjoyable.”
    • “I appreciate that the game doesn't rely on microtransactions to progress.”
    • “The absence of microtransactions allows for a fair and balanced gameplay experience.”
    • “Le funny game from Facebook ads”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is praised for its thoughtful design and humor, with players enjoying the quirky journey of becoming a trombone legend, which adds a layer of earnestness to the experience. The combination of engaging character design and the comedic challenges faced enhances the overall narrative.

    • “Everything from the character design to the inherent humor of playing trombones and failing terribly on your first try, or the comically absurd 'huge plot' of becoming a trombone legend, feels well designed and earnest.”
    • “The character development is incredibly engaging, allowing players to witness their growth and transformation throughout the game.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve based on the choices you make, making each playthrough feel unique and personal.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with any of the characters.”
    • “I was disappointed by how predictable the character arcs were; they didn't evolve in any meaningful way throughout the game.”
    • “The dialogue options are limited, which stifles any real character growth and makes interactions feel one-dimensional.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

79% average critic score

Buy Trombone Champ

Play time

6hMedian play time
19821hAverage play time
4-15hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 23 analyzed playthroughs

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