Rhythm Paradise Groove: Nintendo Switch Review

Developed by Nintendo / TNX
Published by Nintendo
Platform: Nintendo Switch

Nintendo's back with another one of those block-rocking beats.

But unfortunately, if you're not on board with the timing, Rhythm Paradise Groove can be anything but paradise for players struggling to keep up with the bitesize games on offer.

Much like Parappa The Rapper did for PlayStation way back when, Rhythm Paradise Groove is perfectly suited for the Nintendo mentality of pick up and play - and get others involved.

The key to the game is its simplicity as you only have to press one button to carry out the required timing jumps and various challenges (though some throw some stick controls in as well) - but as ever with this type of game, just because it appears to be easy doesn't mean it is.

Whereas the likes of Guitar Hero and Rock Band were all about the skills and twisting of the hands to meet the combo requirements, Rhythm Paradise Groove decides to use simple gameplay mechanics and simple beats to help you get to where you need.

From jumping through hoops to talking to an alien, the clutch of mini games is colourful, bright and simple to watch without being distracting. But this is a game that's about auditory cues, and as such, the music's the star - it's highly recommended that you use headphones to achieve the best results early on.

However, it's never easy to achieve, with various things cropping up on screen to make play a little more difficult - whether it's the screen blacking out or the movement not quite working like it should, the game has a way of making it trickier than you'd expect.

With multiplayer games offering a respite from the solo efforts (and offering different games too), Rhythm Paradise Groove really does find its groove and its audience early on. It's definitely worth a spin, but don't be surprised if you find yourself feeling like you're struggling to start with - perseverance is the key here and it's all the better for it.