Rhythm Heaven Series Returns After 10 Years: Rhythm Heaven Groove Arrives in July!
The good news that rhythm game enthusiasts have been waiting for for years has finally arrived! Nintendo has officially announced that the newest installment in the popular series, Rhythm Heaven Groove (known as Rhythm Tengoku: Miracle Stars in Japan), will be released worldwide on July 2, 2026. The new trailer shared alongside the announcement showcases the series' unique humor and addictive gameplay, while also detailing a new mini-game called Slice N Dice Kitchen for the first time.
The Rhythm Heaven series last appeared with Rhythm Heaven Megamix, released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2015. This new announcement, coming after an eleven-year silence, has created great excitement among fans of the series. In the new game, alongside entirely new mini-games like Slice N Dice Kitchen, where we chop vegetables to the rhythm in a kitchen, some of the series' classic moments are expected to return with modern touches. It has also been confirmed that the game will be available both digitally and physically with a price tag of $39.99.
The legendary name behind the series, famous producer and composer Tsunku♂, is at the helm of this project as well. Despite losing his voice due to throat cancer treatment, Tsunku♂ has not stopped producing music and has continued to prepare the game's music and overall concept. The series, whose foundations were laid by WarioWare designer Kazuyoshi Osawa, is considered one of the most unique examples of its genre due to its structure that focuses entirely on auditory rhythm rather than visual cues. Rhythm Heaven Groove also holds the distinction of being the first game in the series to feature comprehensive voice acting and a new tutorial character named Chimpún.
This comeback is of great importance, especially considering the popularity rhythm games have gained in the indie scene. It was stated that the game, optimized for the Nintendo Switch platform, will be 3.5 GB in size and will support numerous languages. If you have missed pressing buttons without losing the rhythm, dancing with absurd characters, and Tsunku♂'s energetic compositions, mark July 2 on your calendars now. This summer, a rhythm storm will blow on Switch screens!
