The hallmark of a great Rhythm Heaven game is its ability to embed its infectious beats into your daily life, leading to spontaneous foot-tapping or triumphant shouts after finally mastering a difficult sequence. Nintendo's latest entry, Rhythm Heaven Groove, successfully recaptures this magic, offering a collection of rhythm games that are both engaging and maddening. The single-player mode presents a progression of games, each unlocked by achieving sufficient accuracy in the previous one. These rhythm challenges vary significantly in speed and complexity, demanding players adapt to diverse tempos and beat patterns. Early stages might involve simple timing for button presses, while others require precise rhythmic input for actions like opening and closing umbrellas in sync with visual cues, or even counting to seven on the beat.
The mechanical design of Rhythm Heaven Groove's minigames remains as pristine as ever, a testament to the series' core strength. The music, a crucial component, is outstanding thanks to the return of renowned Japanese songwriter Tsunku. While individual preferences may vary, the soundtrack is consistently excellent, and the integration of rhythm mechanics with the music is nearly flawless. Each track features clear, discernible beats that evolve to introduce more complex rhythms, leading to satisfying conclusions.
For dedicated players, the game offers significant bonus challenges, including the pursuit of "Rainbow Perfects"—achieving three Perfects in a row followed by a fourth Perfect without visual aids. While such extreme challenges may not appeal to all, every stage is designed to be passable with practice, even for those without a strong musical background. The game consistently feels fair, even when players struggle to meet its rhythmic demands.
However, playing docked with a Pro Controller occasionally introduced noticeable latency, making it difficult to distinguish between controller lag and personal performance errors. While most stages were manageable, switching to handheld mode proved more reliable for achieving Perfect scores. Players aiming for high precision may find the handheld mode preferable.
Beyond the core rhythm gameplay, Rhythm Heaven Groove is filled with charming characters and themes. Many familiar faces from previous entries return, including the beloved Karate Man. The game also features delightful new characters, such as the umbrella-wielding individuals in "Brolly Good Show" and the germ-like figures in "Germ Aerobics." The narrative threads connecting these characters across different games add another layer of enjoyment, with cameos like the photographer from "Alien Alphabet" appearing in "A for Effort 2." The game also humorously reacts to player mistakes; the scowling umbrella guy in "Brolly Good Show" or the apparent anger of a car in "Stop N Go N Stop" add to the comedic effect.
Despite its strengths, some visual elements in Rhythm Heaven Groove feel less spectacular than expected. While the art style generally suits handheld play better, certain games and remixes lack the escalating visual flair seen in previous titles like 2015's Rhythm Heaven Megamix. Megamix's "Lush" remix, for instance, cohesively evolved the visuals of its constituent games, incorporating thematic elements and subtle Easter eggs. Some of Groove's games, like "Sneezy Moon" and "Soccer Dreams," effectively escalate their visual complexity and narrative. "Brolly Good Show" also impresses with its sped-up tempo and new moves. However, other entries, such as "A for Effort," feature surprisingly mundane sequels that do not match the visual spectacle of their predecessors. This unevenness can lead to stretches where the solo mode feels repetitive, even when the individual rhythm games are well-executed.
The multiplayer mode offers a solid experience for up to four players, featuring a variety of competitive and cooperative games. A racing game involving precise timing to eat cake and the return of "Rhythm Tweezers" are highlights. While the inclusion of "Rhythm Tweezers" might suggest a larger roster of returning classic games, Groove primarily focuses on its new content. The absence of fan favorites like the Chorus Kids and the reporter from Ringside is noticeable, though the new games are generally well-received.
A standout addition is the "Beatspell" adventure mode. Initially overlooked, this mode offers a full-fledged experience where players cast spells by executing rhythmic button combinations to defeat enemies. Each level introduces progressively complex songs and adds new spells to the player's arsenal. With multiple chapters and a roguelike mode for endless play, Beatspell is a robust and engaging feature that was perhaps surprisingly under-advertised.
Rhythm Heaven Groove is a strong return for the series, offering hours of engaging rhythm gameplay, memorable characters, and innovative modes like Beatspell. While minor issues with visual pacing and occasional controller latency exist, they do not detract significantly from the overall quality. The game is a compelling package that will likely satisfy long-time fans and newcomers alike, though players may hope for a slightly faster release cadence for future installments.