Summary
- Rhythm Heaven Groove, a new game for Nintendo Switch, brings rhythmic minigame action in 2026.
- The series started in 2006 as Rhythm Tengoku in Japan, combining rhythm games with micro-games.
- The release date for Rhythm Heaven Groove is expected sometime in 2026, offering unique gameplay.
Nintendo just announced Rhythm Heaven Groove, a brand-new game that is on its way to the Nintendo Switch next year, bringing its signature rhythm-based minigame action to the console for the first time. As of right now, there is no set release date for the next entry in the Rhythm Heaven series, with Nintendo simply confirming a broad launch window of 2026 for the Switch.
First debuting as the Japan-exclusive Game Boy Advance title Rhythm Tengoku in 2006, Rhythm Heaven combines rhythm game elements with fast-paced micro-games like those in the WarioWare franchise, giving it a distinct musical twist. Players must engage in a variety of minigames meant to be played in tandem with the game's music, accompanied with unique animated sequences depicting a variety of characters and art styles.
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Now, the series is set to make a return in 2026 with the upcoming Rhythm Heaven Groove for the Nintendo Switch, bringing the familiar musical minigames of previous entries to current audiences. Nintendo revealed the new game with a short trailer during the Nintendo Direct live stream on March 27, showing off an array of new minigame types and unique animation styles alongside the series' usual upbeat musical stylings.
Rhythm Heaven Groove Brings the Musical Nintendo Franchise to a New Era
While the series has remained popular since its debut, Rhythm Heaven Groove will be the first entry in over a decade, with the last being the Nintendo 3DS title Rhythm Heaven Megamix all the way back in 2015. The franchise has largely remained a staple of Nintendo's handheld systems since its debut after making its way to North America in 2008 with Rhythm Heaven on the Nintendo DS.
However, the series has made its way to consoles before, with the Wii title Rhythm Heaven Fever bringing motion controls into the mix for the first time alongside the usual mechanics. Considering the Nintendo Switch's similar utilization of motion controls in other games, it seems possible that the new minigames in Rhythm Heaven Groove will feature them as well.
Unfortunately for fans, the release date for Rhythm Heaven Groove is likely still a ways away, as it is currently set for a broad release window of 2026, with no word on a more specific date yet. In the meantime, though, there are plenty of other rhythm-based games for Nintendo fans to check out, such as the Taiko no Tatsujin franchise or the Square Enix musical anthology series Theatrhythm, which includes music from a variety of the company's most iconic games, namely the Final Fantasy titles.
The Nintendo Switch is a hybrid console launched in 2017, capable of being played in handheld mode or docked to a television. The Switch Lite, a handheld-only model, followed in 2019, with an OLED refresh coming in 2021.
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