STACK #261 July 2026

GAMING FEATURE

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GENRE: Rhythm MULTIPLAYER: Yes

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game’s quirky humour worked just as well worldwide as it did in its homeland. A third hit Next up came Rhythm Paradise Fever for the Wii in 2011 (Japan)/2012 (the rest of the world). With no touchscreen, the series returned to button-only controls, and it worked a treat. Being on console rather than handheld, it also allowed the series to extend its tendrils into party game territory, becoming a firm favourite at get-togethers worldwide. Number four Despite its success on the Wii, it was onward to the 3DS in 2015/2016, with the release of Rhythm Paradise Megamix . As the name suggests, it took classic minigames from the series past and changed them up, while adding 30 new, fun outings to keep things fresh. This one had a simple narrative attached, in which players were charged with guiding a character named Tibby home to Heaven World. And now… It’s time for fans to rejoice, as Rhythm Paradise Groove is here, the first new series outing in a decade, and it's bringing us a whole bunch more of the crazy, endearing, nutty, and always boppy rhythm minigames that we’ve loved so

Rhythm game fans, get ready for the return of one of the genre’s shining lights this month as Rhythm Paradise Groove lands, unleashing a whole new wave of weirdness for us to play along with. Let’s look back at one of Nintendo’s most wonderfully out-there series ever. Words Amy Flower

Surprise! It will come as no shock to any fan that the Rhythm Paradise series – known as Rhythm Heaven in the USA and Rhythm Tengoku in Japan – was originally orchestrated by WarioWare creator Kazuyoshi Osawa. So, what’s it all about? Like those games featuring Mario’s antithesis, the Rhythm series presents a bunch of eclectic minigames, but here all of them are keyed to keeping a specific rhythm. There are no scrolling note highways, but you may encounter the odd – very odd - bout of slapping and stomping sumo wrestlers, just to mention one famous minigame example. The Rhythm series embraces charm, simplicity, and its own unique and joyous take on absolute weirdness, with a focus on timing rather than musical literacy. The start The Rhythm franchise made its debut in 2006 with the Japan-only release Rhythm Tengoku on

the Game Boy Advance. It set the tone for all the games that followed. There were no complicated controls to master, rather players simply tapped, flicked, or pressed buttons in time with tunes while carrying out bizarre tasks such as plucking hairs from an onion, or trying to keep a troop of singing monkeys on beat. The tunes From the beginning, Japanese music legend Tsunku, formerly of chart-topping rock band Sharam Q, supplied most of the joyous and infectious J-pop tunes featured in the Rhythm games. He was also responsible for the original idea that spawned the series. Going global The world outside Japan was finally able to catch the bug when Rhythm Heaven/Rhythm Paradise released for the Nintendo DS in 2009, following its Japanese launch in 2008. With its touchscreen, the DS was able to introduce new rhythmic gestures, and the

much for many years now. Single players will be able to gorge upon 80 of them, while there are 30 for those doing the multiplayer thing. Music legend Tsunku has once again brought the tunes. As for the minigames themselves, we’ll be doing everything from guiding serious

faced ball creatures through rings, to squashing drink cans, to snatching pieces of cake, and going the chop in the kitchen. So, Switch players, prepare for another outbreak of utter joy when Rhythm Paradise Groove hits this month!

• Rhythm Paradise Groove is out Jul 2

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