Rhythm  Heaven Groove
The new game · July 2, 2026 · Switch

Rhythm Heaven Groove

Rhythm Heaven Groove is the first new Rhythm Heaven game in over a decade — the fifth mainline entry, following Megamix back in 2015. It releases July 2, 2026 on Nintendo Switch, and it is also playable on Nintendo Switch 2. It is priced at $39.99, lower than most Switch games, both physically and digitally. A free Starter Demo went live on June 22, 2026, and your progress carries over to the full game.

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Overview

Rhythm Heaven Groove is the first new Rhythm Heaven game in over a decade — the fifth mainline entry, following Megamix back in 2015. It releases July 2, 2026 on Nintendo Switch, and it is also playable on Nintendo Switch 2. It is priced at $39.99, lower than most Switch games, both physically and digitally. A free Starter Demo went live on June 22, 2026, and your progress carries over to the full game.

How it plays

It plays like the Rhythm Heaven you know: short rhythm minigames driven by the music, where some games will try to trick your eyes so you have to play by ear. Groove packs more than 80 solo games and more than 30 multiplayer games across co-op and competitive modes. Clearing games and earning medals (you get a medal for an "Amazing" rating) unlocks chapters of the new Beatspell mode.

What set it apart

The big new thing is Beatspell, a rhythm-based RPG mode and a series first. You earn medals to unlock new Beatspell chapters, then tap commands as the beat moves around a diamond chart — for example, B then A casts a Flame, and Down casts a Cure. Groove also has the series’ biggest multiplayer offering yet: up to four players on one system across 30-plus games. It is the first Rhythm Heaven released in Taiwan and Hong Kong, and the first with official Dutch, Portuguese, and Traditional/Simplified Chinese localizations.

The stages

New Rhythm Heaven Groove minigames

The named new minigames confirmed so far — solo and multiplayer. More arrive at launch.

View all
Slice N Dice Kitchen
Chop vegetables in time — the first game Nintendo revealed.
Hoop Trundling
Follow the line in front of you and jump through hoops on the beat.
Brolly Good Show
Open and close your umbrella in time with the players beside you.
Disc Dog
Jump to catch a frisbee seven beats after the toss.
Feeding The Beast
Steer a dino-like creature eating plants to the beat.
Hop, Stop N Roll
Hop and roll as a lucky-cat figure alongside other cats.
Cake Wait
Competitive: press closest to zero on a hidden 10-second countdown.
Ninja Bodyguard
Co-op: four players block arrows on the beat to guard a carriage.

Reception

Groove had not launched at the time of writing, so there are no final review scores yet. Early hands-on previews — including Game Informer and Nintendo Life from June 2026 — were positive, calling it another strong Rhythm Heaven. Check back after the July 2, 2026 release for Metacritic and sales figures.

Good to know

  • ◆It is the first new mainline Rhythm Heaven game in over a decade.
  • ◆Tsunku returns to compose, working without his vocal cords after recovering from laryngeal cancer; Ko Takeuchi returns as lead art designer.
  • ◆The free Starter Demo launched June 22, 2026, ahead of the July 2 release.
  • ◆Regional names: Rhythm Paradise Groove (PAL), Rhythm Heaven: Miracle Stars (Asia), Rhythm Cheonguk (Korea).
  • ◆It is developed by Nintendo EPD and TNX, and published by Nintendo.
Keep exploring
Compare the whole run on the all games page, see how the series controls changed in how to play, or read the Groove review. Other entries: Rhythm Tengoku · Rhythm Heaven · Rhythm Heaven Fever · Rhythm Heaven Megamix.
Common questions

Rhythm Heaven Groove FAQ

When does Rhythm Heaven Groove release?
Rhythm Heaven Groove releases July 2, 2026 on Nintendo Switch. It is also playable on Nintendo Switch 2.
How much does Rhythm Heaven Groove cost?
It costs $39.99, both physically and digitally. That is lower than most Switch games at launch.
What is Beatspell?
Beatspell is Groove’s new rhythm-based RPG mode, a series first. You unlock chapters with medals and cast spells by tapping commands around a diamond chart.
How many minigames does Rhythm Heaven Groove have?
More than 80 solo games and more than 30 multiplayer games. The multiplayer set spans both co-op and competitive modes.
Is there a Rhythm Heaven Groove demo?
Yes. A free Starter Demo went live June 22, 2026, and your progress carries over to the full game.
Does Rhythm Heaven Groove run on Switch 2?
Yes. Rhythm Heaven Groove is a Nintendo Switch game and is also playable on Nintendo Switch 2. No separate Switch 2 edition or exclusive features have been announced.
Does Rhythm Heaven Groove have bosses?
The closest thing to bosses lives in Beatspell, the new rhythm-RPG mode, where you battle monsters and dungeon enemies by casting spells on the beat. The main minigames are not boss fights. A full list of any Beatspell bosses will firm up after the July 2, 2026 launch.
Is there a secret level or hidden ending in Groove?
Groove had not launched at the time of writing, so any secret level or ending details are not confirmed yet. Earlier games hid bonus stages behind medals, so expect unlockables — we will update this page once the game is out.