Rhythm Paradise Groove | Hands-On Preview
Written by Nathan Langridge
Published by Mike Loder
Rhythm Paradise Groove is, as the title suggests, a rhythm game, but it’s also something even more appealing: a game that can be played with just a single button. That means no matter a player's skill level or experience with video games, anyone of any age can tap along to the beat of this endlessly endearing Nintendo Switch title.
During our hands-on preview of Rhythm Paradise Groove, we bopped along to a variety of modes, including a megamix of solo and multiplayer minigames.
A huge takeaway from our time with the game was how unencumbered it all felt. Compared to the flashy visuals and score-counter UI of other popular rhythm games like Taiko no Tatsujin, Rhythm Paradise Groove instead opts for a highly minimalist approach. This allows players to really focus on their timing in each minigame, while also letting Ko Takeuchi’s signature art style truly shine.
The game is beautiful in its simplicity, both from a gameplay perspective, where all the player needs to do is follow the rhythm, and from a presentation standpoint.
The charming visuals immediately catch your eye, while the variety of characters, locations and rhythmic situations all contribute to its colourful world. Simply put, the game is cartoonishly colourful and fun to look at, while remaining easy to pick up and play for all ages.
Of the solo minigames we played, Brolly Good Show was an instant favourite. The premise is simple: you're fourth in line as a cute little guy with an umbrella for a head, and you must hit the button to match the timing and movements of your band of brollies.
As expected, the timing changes and becomes more challenging as you progress, inevitably leading to mistakes. Believe us, you don’t want to miss a beat, lest you receive some nasty side-eye from your brolly buddy.
Another solo highlight was Remix 1, a minigame that seamlessly tosses you between several minigames to put your rhythmic skills to the ultimate test. Remix begins as absolute chaos as players try to acclimatise to jumping in time, hopping on the spot, then switching back to brollies and beyond. However, as the sequence continues, a sense of growth and confidence emerges in what can only be described as the montage-sequence effect. It is immensely satisfying to feel yourself finally get into the groove.
We also had a brief showcase of the opening chapters of Beatspell, the game's role-playing game-inspired mode. While we can’t delve too deeply into the story, we can touch on its gameplay elements. Unlike the bulk of Rhythm Paradise Groove, this mode appears designed to appeal to more experienced players.
You'll need to cast spells and manage your health as you battle to the beat and defeat monsters. It looks promising for players seeking a stylistic change of pace from the traditional minigame madness.
The final phase of our preview put our teamwork and timing to the test in four-player local VS and Co-op games. It was a chance to take all the skills practised in solo play and see how well they translated to multiplayer.
The VS minigame we played was Cake Wait, a true test of patience in which players wait for the clock to strike the right time before making their move ahead of everyone else. This mode became fiercely competitive very quickly, as everyone fell silent while counting down the clock, only to erupt in excitement after claiming a slice of cake.
The Co-op game we experienced, Ninja Bodyguards, also put our cooperation skills to the test. In this minigame, everyone shares the same health bar as you work in sync to ward off an assault of arrows flying in your direction.
From our time with the game, the multiplayer options certainly look set to be a massive hit with friends and families alike. Add to that the unbelievable ease of play, and you could even get grandma and grandpa in on the rhythm too.
Either way, players of all ages and skill levels looking to build their musical muscle should definitely keep an eye out for this simple and stylish new game. For what we played, Rhythm Paradise Groove strikes all the right notes as an accessible rhythm game that never loses sight of what makes the genre so enjoyable in the first place.
Rhythm Paradise Groove releases worldwide on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 on July 2, 2026.
1/5
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