Rhythm Heaven Groove, my most anticipated game of the year, is finally launching in July, over a decade since I spent countless hours in Nintendo's last incredible instalment

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Wubba dubba dub, is that true?

Rhythm Heaven Groove screenshot
(Image credit: Nintendo)

Nintendo has confirmed after over a year of silence that Rhythm Heaven Groove will finally be released on July 2, 2026.

Back at the March 2025 Nintendo Direct – which aired a week before the big Nintendo Switch 2 reveal Direct – Nintendo finally announced that two long-suffering fandoms would finally be getting sequels. First was Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, which since then has had an appearance in the September Nintendo Direct, its own dedicated Direct, a demo, and a release date later this month. The other – and more important – announcement was that Rhythm Heaven (or Rhythm Paradise for Europe) is finally getting a new game with Rhythm Heaven Groove. And since that Direct, we've had… uhh…

Well, just as the subreddit was again reaching peak despair levels from no news, the Nintendo Today app has come in clutch as it confirms that Rhythm Heaven Groove is releasing for Nintendo Switch on July 2, 2026. The post (which was later shared on Twitter) also includes a preview of the Slice N Dice Kitchen minigame that was shown for a moment in the initial reveal trailer for the game.

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Given that Rhythm Heaven Megamix, the last entry back in 2015 (or 2016 outside of Japan), was a greatest hits collection with some new levels sprinkled in, Groove's July 2 release will mark the first wholly original entry in the series since Fever first released on July 21, 2011.

It shares DNA with WarioWare, as the Rhythm Heaven series was created by its designer Kazuyoshi Osawa, and frankly, it's secretly one of the best series Nintendo ever made. It's full of endlessly inventive rhythm games and catchy tunes from Japanese singer Tsunku that makes each of the entries an absolute joy to play through. And other than Donkey Kong Bananza, there's no Nintendo game I have been more excited to play since it was announced a year ago.

Rumored new Star Fox game for the Switch 2 will be announced this month, prominent leaker claims, so you'll want to keep an eye on the Nintendo Today app.

Scott McCrae
Scott McCrae
Contributor

Scott has been freelancing for over four years across a number of different gaming publications, first appearing on GamesRadar+ in 2024. He has also written for the likes of PC Gamer, Eurogamer, VG247, Play, TechRadar, and others. He's typically rambling about Metal Gear Solid, God Hand, or any other PS2-era titles that rarely (if ever) get sequels.

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