Rhythm Heaven Groove is on track to become my favorite Nintendo Switch release of 2026 | Tech Radar
Overview
News, deals, reviews, guides and more on the newest computing gadgets
Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more
Details
Unlock and manage exclusive Techradar member rewards.
Unlock instant access to exclusive member features.
Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.
Rhythm Heaven Groove is on track to become my favorite Nintendo Switch release of 2026
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is here, but that doesn’t mean the gaming giant has stopped putting out certified bangers for the original Switch.
Hot off the heels of the release of the unbelievably viral Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, we’re getting another entry in a long-running franchise that’s been dormant for a decade in Rhythm Heaven Groove (or Rhythm Paradise Groove if you're in the UK).
This new Rhythm Heaven doesn't seem keen to reinvent the wheel, but that’s certainly not a bad thing. After playing it at a recent Nintendo event, I can already see myself nipping back into its incredibly moreish beat-based minigames whenever I have a spare few minutes once it’s out.
At its core, Rhythm Heaven is all about hitting a small number of buttons in time with a musical beat. It’s a simple formula that’s easy to pick up, but one that’s deployed in loads of novel and interesting ways.
The handful of minigames that I sampled in Groove ranged all the way from prompting a little round guy to jump through hoops at the right time to chomping flowers as they fly through the air as a marching dinosaur.
The 26 best Nintendo Switch 2 games to play right now
After months of waiting, I've finally played Yoshi's new game on Nintendo Switch 2 — and its whimsy-filled world and engaging exploration have me feeling hopeful
My personal favorite, ‘Slice N Dice Kitchen’, had me tapping on cue to catch flying bell peppers and tomatoes to keep them out of the paws of a mischievous, greedy cat. Every game’s mechanics are demonstrated clearly via introductions that teach you exactly which beat you need to make your input on, and little twists, like the sudden changing of colors on screen or complete removal of visual prompts, keep you on your toes as you transition into the real thing.
The minigames are all accompanied by catchy music, with basic beats that gradually ramp up as the actions become more complex and even some full-on songs with Japanese lyrics here and there. Completing a sequence of minigames unlocks a special remix that combines all the games at once to really put your skills to the test, and chasing the highest ranks is likely to be a significant musical challenge.
The presentation is simply adorable too, with a charming cartoon look that just screams Nintendo and amusing text-to-speech dialogue.
Despite being comfortingly familiar for returning fans, Rhythm Heaven Groove does have some surprises up its sleeve. The local multiplayer games are a blast (this one cake-grabbing mini-game that has four eager snackers competing to get their hands on a tasty treat the exact second a clock hits 3pm was especially fun) and there’s even a more story-focused, role-playing game (RPG) style mode that has you making different button combos to cast a variety of spells and defeat enemies in a raft of dungeons.
I walked out of my hands-on session with a huge smile on my face and, honestly, can one really ask for anything more? I can’t wait to try the full thing and, judging by my experience so far, it might just become my favorite Nintendo Switch release of 2026.
Although I did preview the game on Nintendo Switch 2 via backwards compatibility, it is worth reiterating that, yes, this will be a native Nintendo Switch title when it drops on July 2, 2026, which is great news if you’re still holding on to that older hardware.
Follow Tech Radar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.
Dash is an experienced tech journalist who specializes in video games, electronic entertainment products, and the wider industry that surrounds them. He currently serves as the Gaming Editor at Tech Radar, leading our review, preview, feature, and news coverage of the latest and greatest releases.
Before joining the team, he was Contributing Writer at PLAY (formerly Official Play Station Magazine UK) and has written articles for many of the UK's other biggest gaming magazines including the likes of Edge, PC Gamer, and SFX.
Now, when he's not getting his greasy little mitts on the newest hardware or gaming gadget, he can be found listening to J-pop or feverishly devouring the latest Nintendo Switch otome.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
1i OS 27’s new Siri AI gesture could cause mass i Phone confusion
2 Ditch the boring office furniture: Save 23% on Blacklyte's 'bold standing desk' blending a gamer style and pro-grade features for the home office — but the Prime Day sale ends soon
3 Report claims most of us now trust a personal AI agent more than a best friend
4 Guinness World Record smashed by QR code pixel just 50nm - 2500 sq nanometer size is smaller than COVID-19 virus, needs electron microscope to read it
5 Here's the real reason Apple made a big deal of Screen Time and Child Safety at WWDC
Tech Radar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.
Key Takeaways
- News, deals, reviews, guides and more on the newest computing gadgets
- Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more
- Unlock and manage exclusive Techradar member rewards
- Unlock instant access to exclusive member features
- Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards
