Button mashing and video games have gone hand-in-hand since time eternal. There's just something cathartic about pressing a button multiple times in quick succession so that players can accomplish something truly amazing. This is something that several games have understood and tried to replicate with everything from gameplay inclusions to quick-time events that are extremely satisfying to pull off.
The following games on this list understand the value of button mashing and how it can let players enjoy a sense of accomplishment, even though the act itself is fairly simplistic. As long as players don't develop carpal tunnel syndrome, they'll have a blast mashing keys and buttons in the following games.
10 Yakuza
The Yakuza series is one of the best beat-em-up action game franchises of all time. The focus on small yet densely-packed towns along with excellent combat and storytelling chops makes for an unforgettable experience.
Given the over-the-top nature of this series, it's only a given that button mashing would be featured heavily in this title. Landing a powerful Heat Action or decimating waves of enemies with a few moves never ceases to be entertaining.
9 Asura's Wrath
Another beat-em-up game that relied heavily on quick-time events is Asura's Wrath. In fact, the game had so many QTEs that it led to the mixed reception of this otherwise brilliant game.
Regardless of a player's personal views on quick-time events, there was no denying the fact that Asura's Wrath was an absolute blast to play through. It's a shame that Capcom hid the real ending of this game behind paid DLC since the title could've been legendary otherwise.
8 Shenmue
It would be impossible to talk about quick-time events before the game that arguably popularized them. The Shenmue series might have its fair share of ups and downs, but its immersive gameplay and groundbreaking action sequences were legendary at the time.
The games have not aged well, and the dated presentation of Shenmue 3 shows that its formula needs a bit of refinement in the modern age of gaming. However, there's no denying that fans who appreciate this product for its time will have a blast with the three Shenmue games.
7 Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
Most anime fighting games tend to reward button mashing, mainly due to their paper-thin depth when it comes to combat. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is an exception, letting players enjoy a great combat system that featured button mashing, but not of the mindless variety.
The allure of playing through the entirety of Dragon Ball Z's main story is hard to resist as well. All in all, a combination of excellent combat and full open-world exploration makes Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot one of the better anime fighting games out there.
6 Dynasty Warriors
It was only a matter of time before Musou games would be mentioned in a list about button mashing. After all, Dynasty Warriors has made a name for itself by making players feel like superheroes as they blast through waves of enemies and destroy them with ease.
There are times when players need to be warier when it comes to fighting certain enemies. However, for the most part, mindless button mashing and keeping track of a level's objectives is enough for players to win in most Dynasty Warriors titles.
5 Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Calamity
The Musou gameplay has translated well into other franchises as well, with Hyrule Warriors being a great example of the same. The first game was already pretty enticing in this regard, but Age of Calamity takes this a step beyond.
Building off of a solid base in Breath of the Wild, Age of Calamity is a brilliant title that fans of the Zelda series will adore. The gameplay might be simplistic and its performance on Switch may be downright abysmal at times, but the core gameplay and a surprisingly engaging story more than make up for it.
4 Persona 5 Strikers
Another franchise that has benefited a ton from a combination with Musou-style gameplay is Persona 5. Its gameplay was perfect for the series, with Persona 5 Strikers bringing a hybrid action-heavy battle system with minor turn-based mechanics.
The end result is an addictive spin-off game that makes us fall in love with the Phantom Thieves all over again. Fans who want more Persona 5 content will certainly be well-serviced by this amazing game.
3 Final Fantasy 15
For the longest time, Final Fantasy marketed itself as a strictly turn-based JRPG. While the franchise dabbled in action-heavy combat with its spinoffs, its main series retained elements of turn-based combat for the longest time... before the advent of Final Fantasy 15, that is.
The main franchise's first foray into real-time action combat is an admirable experiment with its fair share of flaws. The game might not break any new ground, but players who want to mash their way through some mindless and rather easy combat will definitely be well-serviced by Final Fantasy 15.
2 Kingdom Hearts
Speaking of JRPGs with hybrid combat systems, another popular name that comes to mind is Kingdom Hearts. This long-running and extremely complicated series is full to the brim with wonderful Disney worlds and pulse-pounding action.
The story of these games might be all over the place at times, but the combat has mostly been rock-solid over the course of the series. A combination of wild button mashing and strategic attacks is key to winning most battles in this series.
1 Batman Arkham
There was a time when the idea of good superhero games was laughed at. That was before Batman: Arkham Asylum burst onto the scene and showed developers how to pull off a proper game using the strengths of its eponymous superhero.
The Batman Arkham series features four games with innovative and groundbreaking combat systems. Button mashing has never felt so rewarding, and the fact that most developers still ape this combat system to this day shows just how incredibly Rocksteady's combat system really was.