Trombone Champ: What is the game everyone is talking about and how can you play it?

In the mid-2000s the video game Guitar Hero became a best-seller, offering the opportunity to rock out to your favourite music on a variety of instrument-shaped controllers. Before long portable versions were made available as cheap mobile games like Tap Tap Revenge.

But in recent years the world of musical gaming has been at a lull, with no particularly popular offerings. That was until Trombone Champ emerged from nowhere to become a bestseller on Steam.

For many, gaming is about escapism and what better way to rid yourself of the stresses and strains of modern life than by tooting out Take Me Out to the Ball Game on a computerised trombone? Developed by Holy Wow, Trombone Champ debuted at number 15 on Steam’s weekly sale chart and has become one of the most commonly-streamed games on Twitch.

How to play Trombone Champ

To play the game all you need is a computer or laptop, and ideally a vague sense of rhythm. Trombone Champ is available to download on Stream for $15.

Your ‘instrument’ is controlled using a mouse or controller to move the cursor between a series of notes in time with the music. If you’re accurate and on-time then you score more points, but the music will continue regardless of your music abilities.

Players will also need to be aware of their character’s breath level or risk running out of puff. Along the way you can pick up 50 Tromboner Cards to unlock secrets in the game and boost your character.

What songs are in Trombone Champ?

A large part of the game’s appeal is due to the bizarre graphics and absurd fart noises, which are a charming contrast to the surprisingly grandiose selection of songs available to play. The playlist features Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Mozart, albeit alongside some more playful in-house offering from Holy Wow.

Here’s the full list of Trombone Champ songs…

Also Sprach Zarathustra – Richard Strauss

Auld Lang Syne (CHAMP MIX) – Robert Burns

Baboons! – Holy Wow (Original Song)

Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony – Ludwig van Beethoven

The Blue Danube Waltz – Johann Strauss II

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy – Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Eine Kleine (CHAMP MIX) – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Trap Mix) – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

The Entertainer – Scott Joplin

Entry of the Gladiators – Julius Fucik

God Save the King – Unknown

Hava Nagila – Abraham Zevi Idelsohn

Long-Tail Limbo – Max Tundra

O Canada – Calixa Lavallée

Rosamunde (Beer Barrel Polka) – Jaromir Vejvoda

Skip to my Lou – Unknown

The Star-Spangled Banner – Smith & Key

Stars and Stripes Forever – John Philip Sousa

SkaBIRD – Holy Wow (Original Song)

Trombone Skyze – Holy Wow (Original Song)

Take Me Out to the Ball Game – Norworth & Von Tilzer

The Old Gray Mare – Thomas F. McNulty

Trombone Fuerte – Holy Wow (Original Song)

William Tell Overture – Gioachino Rossini