Nintendo’s ‘Rhythm Heaven Megamix’ hits eShop following E3 debut

By Danny Cowan Published November 21, 2017

Nintendo’s manic minigame compilation Rhythm Heaven Megamix is out now in the 3DS eShop in North America following its debut appearance at the Electronic Entertainment Expo this week.

Nintendo’s latest digital release collects dozens of minigames featured throughout the Rhythm Heaven series over the past decade, upgrading many fan-favorite levels with enhanced graphics and remixed music.

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The fourth entry in Nintendo’s Rhythm Heaven series, Megamix includes more than 70 minigames that each feature unique music-driven gameplay mechanics. Many levels require players to tap a button in time to a backing music track, with oddball characters dictating changes in rhythm and timing throughout.

The series found its origins on the Game Boy Advance in 2006 with the Japan-only launch of the first entry in the series, Rhythm Tengoku. Localized versions of Rhythm Tengoku never surfaced in North America or Europe, and many stateside fans will see its minigames for the first time in Rhythm Heaven Megamix.

In addition to a collection of remixed tracks from Rhythm Tengoku, Rhythm Heaven Megamix also features levels and music from 2009’s Rhythm Heaven for the Nintendo DS and 2012’s Wii release Rhythm Heaven Fever. It also includes a selection of all-new minigames not seen in previous series releases.

Rhythm Heaven Megamix has a lot to offer for longtime series fans. Dozens of additional music tracks, levels, and memorabilia items are unlockable via an in-game shop. The game also features a dual-audio option, letting you hear the original Japanese versions of its included music tracks in addition to English-language remixes. Other new features include StreetPass functionality and a collection of multiplayer minigames that can be shared with others through 3DS Download Play.

Rhythm Heaven Megamix is available exclusively via Nintendo’s eShop in North America. A free demo version is also up for grabs. A European version will launch digitally and at retail on October 26.

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For over 20 years, the ESA held an event called E3 each June, where companies from around the video game industry would come together and show off their upcoming games. It got canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and the ESA took 2022 off after a rough digital-only show in 2021. The expo was set to return in 2023, but was canceled in March after Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, Ubisoft, and other game companies pulled out of the event. E3's future was put into question after that, and now it looks like it might not be coming back for the foreseeable future.

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Despite how inevitable the complete downfall of E3 felt over the past several years, E3 2023’s official cancellation still strings as it’s a significant loss for the game industry. For gamers, press, and developers, the show served multiple purposes that digital livestreams and scattered publisher-specific events don't currently replicate. In lieu of E3’s cancelation this year, and potentially forever, it’s time for other gaming events to step up and help push the video game industry forward.
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What we lose
Events are a great way for indies to get unexpected and much-needed attention from players and the press; look at the chance encounter that got one of our team’s freelancers hooked on Homeseek at PAX East. Now, indies will have to hope to gain attention at those more indie-focused events like PAX or be cherry-picked to be featured in a more prominent company’s showcasing. There’s also the networking and pitch factor to it.

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https://twitter.com/E3/status/1641546610218811393
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