Rhythm Heaven (universe) Rhythm Paradise (universe)
Developer(s)	Nintendo J.P ROOM Sega TNX
Publisher(s)	Nintendo Sega (arcade version)
Designer(s)	Kazuyoshi Osawa Ko Takeuchi Masami Yone Tsunku♂
Genre(s)	Rhythm
Console/platform of origin	Game Boy Advance
First installment	Rhythm Tengoku (2006)
Latest installment	Rhythm Heaven Megamix (2015)
Article on Rhythm Heaven Wiki	Rhythm Heaven (universe) Rhythm Paradise (universe)

TheRhythm Heaven universe (リズム天国,Rhythm Heaven), known asRhythm Paradise in PAL regions, is a series of rhythm-based music games made byNintendo SPD. The series was created and developed by the same core team that made theWarioWare series. Because of this, the two series frequently reference and cross over with each other.

Franchise Description[edit]

The series can be traced back to several different projects. Around 2002, designer Kazuyoshi Osawa created a Game Boy Advance tech demo that consists of playing a drum kit. Every button on the system corresponded with a different drum. More game modes were slowly added over the course of several years. In 2004, music producerTsunku approached Nintendo with an unrelated pitch based around players intuitively playing a rhythm game without visual indicators.^[1] The higherups were initially hesitant to approve such an experimental title out of concern of only catering to a niche audience. This project was then merged with the tech demo, and the staff were combined going forward. This worked out for everyone as the tech demo team now have clear direction and Tsunku already wanted his game to be on GBA. He also recommended the staff to take dance lessons to improve their internal rhythm and make development easier on a human level. The firstRhythm Heaven game finally released in Japan on August 3, 2006 (referred to in English as the literal translationRhythm Tengoku to distinguish it from its sequel).

While only a modest success in terms of sales, the game was received well by critics and audiences. Particular highlights were its presentation and soundtrack courtesy of Tsunku, which inspired other companies to make similar games in the future. Staff atSega were particularly fond of the title, and approached Nintendo on developing anarcade version for their Naomi arcade board. This arcade version released in Japan on September 20, 2007. The game received remastered graphics and audio, as well as minor gameplay tweaks to accommodate the very different controls. The game also features multiplayer, a feature that would not be introduced to the main series for many years.

A sequel was immediately put into production. However, this new project took much longer to develop then expected due to design hurdles. When the project was decided to be on theNintendo DS, the team decided to use the touch screen as the main way to control the minigames. This thought evolved into the "Flick Action," which alone took close to a year to implement. While the team initially had trouble with making the system feel fair to the player, they all agreed it is an intuitive way to keep timing and believed it should be in the game. This title finally released in Japan on July 31, 2008 asRhythm Heaven Gold. This game was also the first in the series to release internationally, releasing throughout 2009: it was renamed toRhythm Heaven in the Americas and Australia,Rhythm Paradise in Europe, andRhythm World in Korea. While there were no major gameplay differences, a significant part of the presentation was changed internationally by translating lyrics and toning down the more decidedly "Japanese" elements that other countries would not understand. The game was praised for its improvement on the first game and its innovations in the rhythm game genre.

Another sequel was greenlit, this time forWii. While motion controls were considered, they were dropped due to their lack of precision and replaced with traditional button controls. The team also experimented with 3D models, but abandoned the idea and stuck to 2D animation which they believed flowed better. The game released in Japan on July 21, 2011 asEveryone's Rhythm Heaven. The game later released in the Americas asRhythm Heaven Fever, in Europe and Australia asBeat The Beat: Rhythm Paradise, and in Korea asRhythm World Wii. Aside from the regional changes from the previous game returning, English releases had a minigame based on amanzai comedy routine cut and replaced with a remastered version of the "Mr. Upbeat" minigame fromRhythm Tengoku. The game was once again praised for its significantly improved sound and visuals due to being on a home console for the first time.

Another game was developed forNintendo 3DS, this time being a collection of popular minigames from across the series as well as a few new games. The game released on June 11, 2015 asRhythm Heaven: The Best+. The game released internationally throughout 2016: in the Americas asRhythm Heaven Megamix (exclusively onNintendo eShop), in Europe and Australia asRhythm Paradise Megamix, and in Korea asRhythm World: The Best Plus.

During the March 27, 2025Nintendo Direct, a brand new game in the series, titledRhythm Heaven Groove (also known asRhythm Paradise Groove in Europe and Australia, andRhythm Heaven: Miracle Stars in Japan and Korea), was announced forNintendo Switch with a 2026 release date.

InSuper Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]

Rhythm Tengoku is mentioned among the titles listed in theChronicle in Japanese versions ofBrawl. However, no other content from the series is featured anywhere else in the game.

InSuper Smash Bros. 4[edit]

Sneaky Spirits appear as a common enemy inSmash Run inSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. Karate Joe and the Chorus Kids, along with the aforementioned Sneaky Spirits, appear as collectible trophies in the 3DS version, while Marshal, Cam, and Miss Ribbon and the Wrestler and Reporter appear as collectible trophies in the Wii U version.

Two songs from the series are included with theMiiverse stage inSuper Smash Bros. for Wii U:Blue Birds from the Nintendo DS installmentRhythm Heaven, andMonkey Watch from the Wii installmentRhythm Heaven Fever.

Additionally, icon data for aRhythm Heaven character appears in the data forSuper Smash Bros. 4, but goesunused in the final product. TheGematsu leaks, which are commonly accepted to be a leak for an early planning stage of the game, state that thisRhythm Heaven character was to be the Chorus Kids.

• 

  Sneaky Spirit

• 

  Karate Joe

• 

  The Chorus Kids

• 

  Marshal, Cam, and Miss Ribbon

• 

  Wrestler & Reporter

InSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

Several characters from throughout the series appear in the game asspirits. TheRhythm Heaven series features the mostspirits of anyuniverse not represented by a fighter.

Music[edit]

Source Tracks[edit]

• "Blue Birds": The theme from the Blue Birds minigame sourced fromRhythm Heaven.
• "Monkey Watch": The theme of the Monkey Watch minigame fromRhythm Heaven Fever. It is technically an arrangement unique toSuper Smash Bros., as the song contains clapping throughout and seamlessly loops back to the start.
• "Fruit Basket": Despite its name, this theme is sourced from the minigame Fruit Basket 2 fromRhythm Heaven Megamix.

Spirits[edit]

The following characters from the series are spirits.

Primary spirits[edit]

No.	Image	Name	Type	Class	Slots	Base	Max	Base	Max	Base	Max	Ability
1,192		Karate Joe		★★★	2	2639	7942	1015	3055	1523	4582	Fist Attack ↑
1,193		The Wandering Samurai		★★	2	1546	6205	997	4002	549	2203	Can Be Enhanced at Lv. 99
1,194		Wandering Samurai (Rhythm Heaven Fever) Wandering Samurai (Beat the Beat)		★★★	2	3170	9537	1879	5652	1057	3179	Critical Hit ↑
1,196		The Chorus Kids		★★★	3	2648	7987	1184	3571	1363	4109	Jump ↓
1,197		Munchy Monk		★	1	955	4783	511	2559	444	2224	No Effect
1,198		Reporter & Wrestler		★★	2	1547	6211	828	3323	719	2888	No Effect
1,200		Sumo Brothers		★	2	806	4038	438	2191	323	1619	Weight ↑

Support spirits[edit]

No.	Image	Name	Class	Cost	Ability
1,195		Sick Beats Doctor	★	1	Critical-Health Defense ↑
1,199		Baxter & Forthington	★	1	Rocket Belt Equipped

Games with elements appearing in theSuper Smash Bros. series[edit]

TheRhythm Heaven universe has games represented throughout theSuper Smash Bros. series with a total of 4 games. The latest game represented in this universe isRhythm Heaven Megamix, released on June 11, 2015.

Rhythm Tengoku[edit]

• Enemy:
  • Sneaky Spirit appears inSmash Run.
• Trophies:
  • Sneaky Spirit andKarate Joe appear as trophies.
• Spirits:
  • Karate Joe,The Wandering Samurai, andSick Beats Doctor appear as spirits.

Rhythm Heaven / Rhythm Paradise[edit]

• Trophies:
  • The Chorus Kids appear as a trophy.
• Spirits:
  • The Chorus Kids andMunchy Monk appear as spirits.
• Music:
  • "Blue Birds": The theme from theBlue Birds minigame sourced from this game.

Rhythm Heaven Fever / Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise[edit]

• Enemy:
  • The sprites of the Sneaky Spirit are sourced from this game.
• Trophies:
  • Marshal, Cam, and Miss Ribbon and theWrestler & Reporter appear as trophies.
• Spirits:
  • Wandering Samurai (Rhythm Heaven Fever),Baxter & Forthington and Reporter & Wrestler appear as spirits.
• Music:
  • "Monkey Watch": Theme of theMonkey Watch minigame from this game. It is technically an arrangement unique toSuper Smash Bros., as the song contains clapping throughout and seamlessly loops back to the start.

Rhythm Heaven Megamix / Rhythm Paradise Megamix[edit]

• Spirits:
  • TheSumo Brothers appear as a spirit.
  • Karate Joe, The Wandering Samurai, Sick Beats Doctor, The Chorus Kids, Munchy Monk and Baxter & Forthington use artwork from this game.
• Music:
  • "Fruit Basket": Despite being titledFruit Basket, the theme is actually derived from its sequel, titledFruit Basket 2.

References[edit]

• Universes
• Rhythm Heaven universe