Rhythm Heaven Megamix
Template:Infobox Rhythm Heaven Megamix, known as Rhythm Paradise Megamix in Europe and as Rhythm Heaven: The Best+ in Japan, is a rhythm game released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2015 in Japan and 2016 elsewhere, and the fourth installment of the Rhythm Heaven series. It largely consists of games taken from past installments, along with a plurality of new content. As with previous installments of the series, Megamix is a collaboration between Nintendo SPD1 and song producer Mitsuo Terada (aka: Tsunku♂).
While WarioWare and Rhythm Heaven have made occasional references to each other (most prevalent in Game & Wario), mostly due to being developed by the same team, Megamix solidifies the link between the two series by including a set of minigames featuring the cast of the WarioWare series.
Gameplay
Rhythm Heaven Megamix is a rhythm game tasking the player to play through a series of rhythm-based minigames played using the 
button, the 
button, and the 
. Megamix alteratively offers a tapping control scheme using the 
, although it does not replicate the more elaborate touch screen motions from the DS Rhythm Heaven. Unlike other rhythm games, the Rhythm Heaven series has a stronger emphasis on testing the player’s sense of rhythm and will often subvert the visual cues during the course of the minigames.
The main story of Megamix is composed of 108 minigames: 78 taken from past installments, and 30 brand new. Several of the returning minigames in the early portion of the game have new graphics and music, and the games from the DS Rhythm Heaven have been reworked to use button inputs rather than the touch screen.
Rhythmware
Rhythmware is the name of the final two challenge sets in the Challenge Train mode, unlocked after 99% of the mode has been completed. Each sets have the player play through several minigames in succession, with the minigame’s original characters being replaced with those of the WarioWare series. Unlike other sets in the Challenge Train mode, Rhythmware does not feature changes to the tempo or ruleset of the minigames, but it is the only set to feature new graphics.
Rhythmware 1
- Game 1: Tap Trial with Ashley as the dancer. Red appears to the left of the screen and provide instructions at the beginning of the game.
- Game 2: Munchy Monk with Master Mantis as the titular monk. Young Cricket appears in the background.
- Game 3: Fillbots, with Mike playing the role of the titular robots. Dr. Crygor and Penny appear in the background.
- Game 4: Samurai Slice with 18-Volt as the Wandering Samurai and 9-Volt riding on his back. Sal Out appears at the end of the game.
Rhythmware 2
- Game 1: The Clappy Trio with Jimmy T. as the third dancer.
- Game 2: Freeze Frame with Dr. Crygor as the photographer, and Tiny Wario and Dribble and Spitz as the racers. Mona is part of the crowd that blocks the player’s view of the background at the end of the minigame, and Orbulon sometimes appears in the player’s photos.
- Game 3: Stairway Catch with Kat & Ana as the player characters. Mona’s scooter can be seen in the background.
- Game 4: Ringside with the Reporter dressed as Mona and Wario-Man as the Wrestler. Mona herself appears outside of the Rhythm Arena.
Staff
- Main article: List of Rhythm Heaven Megamix staff
Masami Yone, the director of Rhythm Heaven Fever, assumed the same role for Megamix. He was assisted by Takumi Hatakeyama, who previously worked as a programmer and designer for WarioWare: D.I.Y. and Rhythm Heaven Fever. Ko Takeuchi returns as the art director, and Yoshio Sakamoto as the general producer. The music is done by Tsunku♂, who also serves as the game's producer.
Megamix is the final game developed by Nintendo SPD1. Following its release, the game development arm of Nintendo SPD would be merged into a new division known as Nintendo Entertainment Planning and Development.
Names in other languages
External links
- Rhythm Heaven Megamix on the Rhythm Heaven Wiki
- Direct capture footage of Rhythmware
- Gag comics on the game’s official promotional page
