Updated
Updated · Game Informer · Jun 11
Rhythm Heaven Groove Brings 80+ Minigames to Switch as Beatspell Adds a Medal-Gated RPG
Updated
Updated · Game Informer · Jun 11

Rhythm Heaven Groove Brings 80+ Minigames to Switch as Beatspell Adds a Medal-Gated RPG

3 articles · Updated · Game Informer · Jun 11

Summary

  • Game Informer’s hands-on preview says Rhythm Heaven Groove packs more than 80 solo minigames and 30-plus multiplayer games, making it the series’ biggest entry ahead of its July 2 Switch release.
  • Single-player sessions showed escalating difficulty across collections, with each game graded at the end and Remix stages unlocked after clearing a set of minigames tied together by one song.
  • Four-player tests highlighted both competitive and co-op play: Cake Wait turns timing into a countdown duel, while Ninja Bodyguard has players jointly defend a carriage from archers.
  • Beatspell unlocks through medals earned in the main game and uses rhythmic button combinations to cast spells in RPG-style battles, adding a new progression hook to Nintendo’s revived franchise.
  • The preview extends a wave of positive early impressions for the first all-new Rhythm Heaven since 2011, underscoring Nintendo’s push to revive dormant series on Switch.

Insights

Is the new RPG mode a bold evolution for Rhythm Heaven, or a gimmick that misses the beat?
With Switch 2 available, can a game for the original Switch still become one of 2026's biggest hits?
After a decade-long wait, does this series' return offer true innovation or just a strong dose of nostalgia?