Nintendo Confirms Release Date for Upcoming Switch Exclusive

Nintendo has officially announced that Rhythm Heaven Groove will launch on July 2, 2026. Rhythm Heaven Groove hasn’t been seen since its announcement in the March 2025 Nintendo Direct, one of the last presentations focused solely on original Nintendo Switch reveals and updates.

Known as Rhythm Heaven in the US, Rhythm Paradise in PAL regions, and Rhythm Tengoku in Japan, this series of fast-paced rhythm-based micro-games has a total of four entries, with Rhythm Heaven Groove set to be the fifth. The series made its debut in 2006 as a GBA game released only in Japan. A few years later, Rhythm Heaven made its way over to the US and Europe in the form of a Nintendo DS exclusive that earned rave reviews from critics. 2011 saw the release of Rhythm Heaven Fever for the Nintendo Wii, and in 2015, Rhythm Heaven Megamix launched for the Nintendo 3DS. The Rhythm Heaven franchise has always performed very well critically, with the last three entries all earning an 83 on Metacritic.

Nintendo Switch Online Officially Adds 3 Certified Classic Games

Nintendo Switch Online adds three new games to the available catalog, all of which are certified classic titles.

Rhythm Heaven Groove Releases on July 2, 2026

After a decade-long hiatus, the Rhythm Heaven series is about to make its triumphant return. Rhythm Heaven Groove will officially launch on July 2, 2026, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch. While Rhythm Heaven Groove will presumably be playable on Nintendo Switch 2 via backwards compatibility, there’s been no official word yet on whether it will receive a dedicated Nintendo Switch 2 Edition or some kind of free upgrade that improves performance and visuals for those playing on the newer console.

Rather than appear in a Nintendo Direct or some other major showcase, Nintendo decided to reveal Rhythm Heaven Groove‘s July 2 release date via a simple social media post. The confirmation of the July 2 date came alongside a new 1-minute trailer showcasing the “Slice N Dice Kitchen” micro-game, in which players will need to catch vegetables to the beat of the song. Nintendo hasn’t confirmed how many micro-games will be present in Rhythm Heaven Groove, but a total of eight have appeared so far in the game’s previous trailers.

Rhythm Heaven Groove Could Be Just One Part of a Big Summer for Nintendo

Towards the end of last month, leaker NateTheHate shared a plethora of games that they believe Nintendo are currently working on. This included a handful of Switch and Switch 2 games that didn’t yet have concrete release dates, but that NateTheHate claimed would arrive in summer 2026. Rhythm Heaven Groove was one such game, which now has a confirmed release date on July 2, placing it well and truly in that rumored summer release window. Splatoon Raiders and Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave were another two titles that NateTheHate claimed would arrive by the summer.

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)

Some more recent rumors have also claimed that a brand-new Star Fox game could be heading to Nintendo Switch 2 this summer, potentially alongside a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Pikmin 4 and possibly a Switch 2 Edition of Nintendo Switch Sports. As always, all leaks and rumors should be taken with a hefty pinch of salt.