This article was updated by Andrea Tram on April 12, 2026 with a history of Rhythm Heaven Groove games before their new release in 2026. It was first published on April 9.
Nintendo has officially announced it Rhythm Heaven Groove will be launched on July 2, 2026. Rhythm Heaven Groove it hasn't been seen since its announcement at the March 2025 Nintendo Direct, one of the last presentations focused solely on the Nintendo Switch's original reveal and updates.
Known as Rhythm Heaven in the US, Paradise of rhythm in PAL regions and Tengoku rhythm in Japan, this series of fast-paced rhythm-based microgames has a total of four entries, with Rhythm Heaven Groove will be fifth. The series debuted 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 saw the release Rhythm Heaven Fever for the Nintendo Wii and in 2015 Megamix Rhythm Heaven launched for Nintendo 3DS. The Rhythm Heaven the franchise has always performed very well critically, with the last three entries scoring an 83 on Metacritic.
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Rhythm Heaven Groove is released on July 2, 2026
After a ten-year break, Rhythm Heaven the series is about to make a 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 no official word yet on whether it will receive a dedicated Nintendo Switch 2 Edition or some sort of free upgrade that will improve performance and visuals for players on the newer console.
Nintendo's Rhythm Heaven series began with Rhythm Tengoku (2006, Game Boy Advance, Japan only), then went global with Rhythm Heaven (2008 in Japan, 2009 worldwide, on Nintendo DS). The series expanded with Rhythm Heaven Fever (2011, Wii), then reached its most content-rich form with Rhythm Heaven Megamix (2015, Nintendo 3DS), a compilation mixing classics and new stages. After a long hiatus, Nintendo is reviving the IP with Rhythm Heaven Groove (July 2, 2026, Nintendo Switch), the first new entry in over a decade.
Rather than appearing in a Nintendo Direct or some other big showcase, Nintendo decided to reveal Rhythm Heaven GrooveRelease date July 2 via a simple social media post. The confirmation of the July 2nd date came along with a new 1-minute trailer introducing the “Slice N Dice Kitchen” microgame, in which players will have to catch vegetables to the beat of the song. Nintendo has not confirmed how many microgames will be included Rhythm Heaven Groovebut a total of eight have appeared in previous game trailers so far.
Rhythm Heaven Groove could be just one part of a big summer for Nintendo
Late last month, leaker NateTheHate shared a plethora of games they believe Nintendo is currently working on. This included several Switch and Switch 2 games that didn't have specific release dates yet, but NateTheHate claimed they would arrive in the summer of 2026. Rhythm Heaven Groove was one such game that now has a confirmed July 2nd release date, well and truly placing it in that rumored summer release window. Splatoon Raiders and Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave were two more titles that NateTheHate claimed would arrive by summer.
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Some more recent rumors have also claimed that it is brand new Star Fox the game could be heading to the Nintendo Switch 2 this summer, potentially alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Pikmin 4 and possibly a Switch 2 Edition Nintendo Switch Sports. 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
