Nintendo Switch Critic Reviews

Rhythm Heaven Groove is not only incredibly fun, backed by an amazing soundtrack, but it's so unbelievably accessible practically everyone can play it.

Rhythm Heaven is fundamentally different to other rhythm games, and Rhythm Paradise Groove is no different. It might seem both whimsical and bonkers from the aesthetics and general energy of the game, and it is that, but it’s also an enormously clever project that subtly helps you develop very real rhythm skills. I love it when games entertain while also teaching like this.

Rhythm Heaven Groove is Nintendo at its handheld best, and that also happens to be my favorite kind of Nintendo. It is essential for rhythm game fans, and I'm going to go back to replaying older stages literally after sending this review in. The wait for a new Rhythm Heaven was long, but Tsunku and Nintendo have delivered what I consider a tie for my favorite game of 2026 with Forza Horizon 6, and I'm not just saying that because both feature Ado.

There’s no rhythm game quite like Rhythm Heaven, and Groove is a triumphant return for a series that has been gone for far too long. It's one of the only rhythm games to truly bring music and gameplay together, and it's fantastic.

Rhythm Heaven Groove lives up to the expectations longtime fans have had for the series. With higher-quality songs, familiar yet flexible stage formats, and highly replayable bonus modes, it brought back memories of grinding for medals on the Nintendo DS and Wii. For rhythm game fans, it is undoubtedly the most fitting first-party send-off for the Nintendo Switch generation.

Rhythm Heaven Groove is a fantastic return to form from Nintendo and Tsunku, filled to the brim with fresh beats and funny characters, with plenty of modes to explore alone or with friends while you work on perfecting your skills.

This new installment preserves the essence that made the series a defining title in the rhythm game genre while introducing a broad selection of brand-new content and game modes that significantly expand the overall experience, with Beatspell standing out in particular thanks to its originality.

Rhythm Paradise Groove is a kooky, superb rhythm game that has loads of reasons to come back to play time and time again.

Rhythm Heaven Groove is a superb sequel that expertly capitalizes on the captivating energy of its excellent music across a series of joyfully animated minigames. The solo campaign is well-balanced and stuffed with genre-shifting earworms you won’t forget fast. The new Beatspell RPG mode and more straightforward Toybox levels don’t quite reach that same impressive bar, but the co-op mode does stand as a great addition with a solid range of competitive and collaborative games that quickly got me and my friends laughing. Even so, this irreverent return to Rhythm Heaven hits all the right notes, solidifying itself as an unmissable addition to the series.

If you are new to rhythm games, this would be the ideal way to get started in the genre. This game is the perfect way to bid farewell to the Switch when it comes to first-party releases.