This article was updated by Andrea Trama on 12 April 2026, with a history of Rhythm Heaven Groove games ahead of their new 2026 release. It was first published on April 9.
Nintendo has officially announced it Rhythm Heaven Groove launched on July 2, 2026. Rhythm Heaven Groove hasn't been seen since the announcement at the March 2025 Nintendo Direct, one of the last presentations focused solely on original Nintendo Switch reveals and updates.
Known as Rhythm Heaven in the United States, Rhythm Paradise in PAL regions and Rhythm Tengoku in Japan, this series of fast-paced rhythm-based microgames has a total of four entries, with Rhythm Heaven Groove will be the fifth. The series made its debut in 2006 as a GBA game released only in Japan. A few years later, Rhythm Heaven made its way to the US and Europe as a Nintendo DS exclusive to rave reviews from critics. 2011 was released Rhythm Heaven Fever for the Nintendo Wii, and in 2015, Rhythm Heaven Megamix launched for the Nintendo 3DS. The Rhythm Heaven franchise has always performed very well critically, with the last three entries all earning an 83 on Metacritic.
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Rhythm Heaven Groove will be released on July 2, 2026
After a decade long hiatus, Rhythm Heaven the series is about to make its triumphant return. Rhythm Heaven Groove will officially launch on July 2, 2026, exclusively for Nintendo Switch. While Rhythm Heaven Groove will likely be playable on the Nintendo Switch 2 via backwards compatibility, there's been no official word yet on whether it will receive a dedicated Nintendo Switch 2 Edition or some sort of free upgrade that improves performance and visuals for those playing on the newer console.
Nintendo's Rhythm Heaven series began with Rhythm Tengoku (2006, Game Boy Advance, Japan only), before going global with Rhythm Heaven (2008 in Japan, 2009 worldwide, on Nintendo DS). The series expanded with Rhythm Heaven Fever (2011, Wii), and then reached its most content-rich form with Rhythm Heaven Megamix (2015, Nintendo 3DS), a collection that mixes classic and new scenes. After a long hiatus, Nintendo is reviving the IP with Rhythm Heaven Groove (July 2, 2026, Nintendo Switch), marking the first new entry in over a decade.
Instead of appearing in a Nintendo Direct or some other big showcase, Nintendo decided to reveal Rhythm Heaven Groovereleasing on July 2 via a simple social media post. The confirmation of the July 2nd date came along with a new 1-minute trailer showcasing the “Slice N Dice Kitchen” microgame, where players must catch vegetables in time to the song. Nintendo has not confirmed how many microgames will be included Rhythm Heaven Groovebut a total of eight have so far appeared in the game's previous trailers.
Rhythm Heaven Groove might just be part of a big summer for Nintendo
Late last month, leaker NateTheHate shared a slew of games they believe Nintendo is currently working on. This included a handful of Switch and Switch 2 games that didn't yet have concrete release dates, but which NateTheHate claimed would be coming in the summer of 2026. Rhythm Heaven Groove was one such game, which now has a confirmed July 2nd release date, placing it well and truly in the rumored summer release window. Splatoon Raiders and Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave were two more titles that NateTheHate claimed would be coming this summer.
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Some more recent rumors have also claimed that a brand new Star Fox the game could be heading to the Nintendo Switch 2 this summer, possibly alongside a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Pikmin 4 and possibly a Switch 2 Edition of Nintendo Switch Sport. As always, all leaks and rumors should be taken with a grain of salt.
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2026
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Nintendo SPD
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Nintendo
