After a 10-year hiatus and 14 years since its last original title, Nintendo's cult-favorite rhythm game franchise, Rhythm Heaven, is set to return with Rhythm Heaven Groove. The game launches on July 2 for the Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Switch 2.
Rhythm Heaven Groove eschews a traditional narrative, instead focusing on a collection of distinct minigames. These range from the whimsical, such as a dog catching a frisbee or a dinosaur consuming flowers, to the purely musical. The gameplay relies heavily on audio cues and the player's ability to maintain rhythm, with musician and producer Tsunku once again providing the soundtrack. Character callouts and subtle audio prompts are crucial for success, and players may be met with visual disappointment from in-game characters if they miss a beat. The game's distinctive visual style, created by Ko Takeuchi, who also worked on WarioWare, complements the on-beat gameplay with an off-beat aesthetic.
The new entry introduces a dedicated multiplayer mode supporting up to four players across 30 minigames. Notable modes include "Rhythm Tweezers," a cooperative challenge involving plucking a hairy onion, and "Cake Wait," a competitive button-mashing challenge. A new single-player mode, "Beatspell," pits players against monsters in rhythm-based battles.
Initial reviews for Rhythm Heaven Groove have been largely positive, with the game currently holding a Metacritic score of 82. Critics have praised its content-rich collection of minigames, though some noted a slight decrease in the series' former distinctiveness. A demo featuring four minigames, a remix level, and the "Rhythm Tweezers" multiplayer mode is available for those considering a purchase.
Rhythm Heaven Groove is expected to be Nintendo's final first-party release for the Switch as the company shifts its focus to the Switch 2. This title marks the conclusion of the Switch era for Nintendo's in-house development.