If you’re a fan of lovable characters and fast-paced rhythm games, Rhythm Heaven Fever is a great and classic option for you. The game was first released in Japan in July 2011 and hit the rest of the country in early 2012. Since its release over a decade ago, it has remained beloved by fans all over the globe. The colorful art style and engaging musical games have made Rhythm Heaven Fever one of the most popular games in the franchise.
Rhythmic Moves for The Nintendo Wii
Nintendo and TNX developed this Japanese music video game for the Nintendo Wii. The game isn’t too different from the previous releases in the franchise – a combination of musical minigames and remix challenges that combine gameplay styles of earlier levels.


The controls are simple – just press the A and B buttons to stay in tune with the rhythm and attempt to win charming rhythm-based minigames. Reminiscent of other popular games like WarioWare: Smooth Moves for the Wii, these catchy minigames are a delight to play with friends or by yourself. In fact, the same team of developers worked on both Rhythm Heaven and WarioWare, so it’s no wonder they’re so similar!
Addicting and Charming Gameplay
The gameplay itself is intriguing and challenging yet approachable for new players. The simple button mechanics on the Wii controller are straightforward to pick up on. Additionally, the game is incredibly addicting due to the wide variety of minigame options. This also makes Rhythm Heaven Fever an excellent match for group settings! The lively music keeps you coming back for more, even if the minigames can get a bit frustrating at times. Games like Packing Pests and the Shrimp Shuffle are popular amongst fans, but others can be hard to pick up at first. However, the best part of this game is the music. It’s so catchy that, even though the controls involve simply pressing buttons, you’ll find yourself tapping your feet along to the rhythm in no time.
The Franchise’s Future
Despite the massive nostalgia and popularity of the franchise, Rhythm Heaven games closed in 2015 and had its members absorbed into a new in-house development group. There are no plans for Rhythm Heaven to re-release or come out with a new game on Nintendo Switch, which is disappointing.
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The joycon controllers make for a great game mechanic, whether the developers stick to simple button pressing or branch out into motion controls. Additionally, though the cute art style is vivid and colorful, it can get a bit repetitive to look at, especially compared to the ridiculousness of games like WarioWare.
Pros:
- Colorful graphics, various fun minigames, engaging game mechanics
Cons:
- Can become a bit repetitive. Some minigames are more intuitive than others