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Difficulty Levels
Band BoomBox features multiple difficulty levels to accommodate players of all skill levels. Each song typically includes charts for several difficulties, allowing you to choose the challenge that best suits your abilities.
To select a difficulty, first choose a song from the Song Select screen. Then, on the Difficulty Select screen, use the Up and Down buttons to cycle through the available difficulties for that song. To confirm your selection, press A or Start/Enter.
In multiplayer games, each player is free to select their own difficulty level for the same song, allowing for a shared experience that caters to different skill levels.
Recommended for: First-time players and those new to rhythm games
Buttons Used: 2 Buttons, one for each lane. Press any button in the corresponding lane to hit that note.
- Controller: Any of the A/B/X/Y buttons, plus any d-pad direction
- Keyboard: Any of S/D/A/W keys, plus any arrow key
Beginner charts are designed to introduce you to the game's core mechanics without overwhelming you. These charts feature:
- Simple note patterns that are easy to follow
- Slower note sequences with plenty of time to react
- Forgiving "Any" notes that accept any button press in a lane
- Minimal use of complex techniques
If you're new to Band BoomBox or rhythm games in general, start here to get comfortable with the controls and timing mechanics.
Recommended for: Most casual players, and those with some rhythm game experience
Buttons Used: 4 buttons
- Controller: A, B, Left, Down
- Keyboard: S, D, Left, Down
Medium charts present a noticeable step up in complexity, introducing specific button requirements. Expect:
- Increased note density and faster patterns
- More varied rhythm structures
- You'll need to press specific buttons rather than "Any" notes
Medium is often considered the "standard" difficulty for most casual players.
Recommended for: Players that have mastered Medium, or those with significant rhythm game experience
Buttons Used: 6 buttons
- Controller: A, B, X, Left, Down, Right
- Keyboard: S, D, A, Left, Down, Right
Mild difficulty introduces additional buttons while maintaining moderate complexity. These charts offer:
- More button variety than Medium with 6 different inputs
- Moderately complex patterns
Don't be fooled by the name - Mild is actually more challenging than Medium!
Recommended for: Experienced players seeking a challenge
Buttons Used: 8 buttons
- Controller: A, B, X, Y, Left, Down, Up, Right
- Keyboard: S, D, A, W, Left, Down, Up, Right
Hard charts require solid rhythm game skills and quick reflexes. These charts feature:
- Full face button and d-pad usage
- Complex note patterns and combinations
Only tackle Hard difficulty once you're consistently performing well on Mild charts.
Recommended for: Highly skilled players that find Hard difficulty too easy
Buttons Used: 10 buttons
- Controller: A, B, X, Y, Left, Down, Up, Right, LB, RB
- Keyboard: S, D, A, W, Q, Numpad 2, 4, 6 and 8 (for Down, Left, Right and Up) as well as Numpad 7
Expert charts represent the pinnacle of difficulty in official song content. These charts add two shoulder buttons to the mix:
- Very dense and complex note patterns
- Requires mastery of all game mechanics including shoulder buttons
- Fast reaction times and precise timing essential
- Often mirrors the most intricate parts of the song
Expert difficulty is designed for players who have mastered all other difficulties and are looking for a serious challenge. Note: Using the Numpad is required for Expert difficulty on keyboard, as the top-lane buttons (LB, RB) are mapped to Q and Numpad 7.
Recommended for: Custom content and special challenges
Buttons Used: Varies according to charter's design. May use all buttons, including trigger buttons, or may use far fewer than 10 buttons. There are no restrictions on button usage for Extra charts.
- Controller: A, B, X, Y, Left, Down, Up, Right, LB, RB, LT, RT
- Keyboard: S, D, A, W, Q, E, Numpad 2, 4, 6 and 8 (for Down, Left, Right and Up) as well as Numpad 7 and 9.
Extra is a special difficulty level that is rarely used in official game content. It is primarily available for creators of custom songs who want to go beyond the standard difficulty progression.
Unlike the other difficulty levels, Extra charts have no restrictions or standards. Creators have complete freedom to design whatever they envision. This can result in charts that are:
- Experimental or unconventional
- Extremely difficult, potentially harder than Expert
- Focused on specific gimmicks or mechanics
- Artistic or novelty-focused rather than balanced for competitive play
- Using an unusual subset of the available buttons
Hidden Content
Rumor has it that there may be additional difficulty levels waiting to be discovered by dedicated players...
Some songs feature multiple chart groups, which means they have multiple charts for the same difficulty level. This allows for:
- Different interpretations of the same song
- Charts focused on cooperative multiplayer play
- Varied chart styles (technical vs. flow-focused, etc.)
- Alternative note patterns that emphasize different aspects of the music
When a song has multiple chart groups, you can freely choose which chart group and which difficulty you want to play on the Difficulty Select screen, by pressing Left or Right to cycle through the available chart groups.