Rhythm Heaven Groove officially launches on Nintendo Switch

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Nintendo's beloved rhythm game series has returned with a brand-new installment. Rhythm Heaven Groove officially launched on Nintendo Switch on July 2, 2026, marking the franchise's long-awaited return to Nintendo's home console lineup after years of absence.

Rhythm Heaven™ Groove (Image source: Nintendo)
Rhythm Heaven™ Groove (Image source: Nintendo)

Test your ears and master the rhythm

As its name suggests, Rhythm Heaven Groove is all about listening carefully to the beat and pressing buttons at the perfect moment. Players will face a variety of quirky challenges, including catching flying vegetables, flexing muscles to launch fruit, and swinging a sledgehammer in time with the music. Rather than relying on visual cues, the game encourages players to trust what they hear, as many stages are intentionally designed to deceive the eye.

The soundtrack is another major highlight, featuring a collection of catchy original songs with contributions from renowned Japanese musician Tsunku. The game was co-developed with TNX.

A minigame where players catch flying vegetables (Image source: Nintendo)
A minigame where players catch flying vegetables (Image source: Nintendo)

More than 80 single-player minigames and over 30 multiplayer challenges

In single-player mode, Rhythm Heaven Groove features more than 80 minigames with a wide range of rhythm-based challenges. Highlights include Hoop Trundling, where players run and jump through hoops to the memorable "pa pi pu pe po" rhythm, Hop Stop N Roll, which has players help a toy cat roll and hop to the beat, and Fruit Flex, where perfectly timed muscle flexes send fruit flying.

Players looking for a party experience can enjoy local multiplayer with support for up to four players on a single Nintendo Switch system. The game includes more than 30 multiplayer minigames, such as Rhythm Tweezers, where players take turns plucking hairs from a hairy onion, Tennis Quest, a cooperative adventure-inspired challenge against monsters, and Cake Wait, where perfect timing is the key to claiming the cake when the bell rings.

Beatspell mode brings rhythm-powered magic battles

Battling monsters with rhythm-based magic (Image source: Nintendo)
Battling monsters with rhythm-based magic (Image source: Nintendo)

As players progress through the game, they unlock Beatspell, a unique single-player mode that combines rhythm gameplay with magical combat. Players cast spells by pressing buttons in sync with the beat, with accurate timing determining whether each spell succeeds, from launching fire attacks to restoring health.

With its easy-to-learn gameplay, charming presentation, and rewarding rhythm mechanics, Rhythm Heaven Groove looks set to delight both solo players and groups of friends looking for a fun and memorable Nintendo Switch experience.