Rhythm Heaven Megamix
A rhythm game compilation with a story mode.
Rhythm Heaven Megamix is a rhythm game developed by Nintendo and TNX for the Nintendo 3DS, released in Japan in June 2015 and in other regions throughout 2016. It is the fourth entry in the Rhythm Heaven series and compiles over 100 rhythm minigames from previous titles alongside 30 new ones, featuring a story mode and additional game modes.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Nintendo SPD, TNX
- Publisher
- Nintendo
- Director
- Masami Yone
- Producer
- Tsunku
- Programmer
- Takafumi Masaoka
- Artist
- Ko Takeuchi
- Composer
- Tsunku
- Shinji Ushiroda
- Asuka Ito
- Yumi Takahashi
- Megumi Inoue
- Genre
- Rhythm, music
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
Like earlier Rhythm Heaven titles, Rhythm Heaven Megamix requires players to perform actions in time with the music to clear each rhythm game. The game uses the A, B, and directional buttons of the Nintendo 3DS, similar to the control scheme of Rhythm Tengoku, and also offers an optional stylus control method without the flicking mechanic from previous entries. New assistive features include an input timing gauge that shows how precise the player's timing is, and Skill Stars awarded for precise timing at key moments. After each game, players receive a numerical score from 0 to 100 alongside the traditional rankings of "Try Again", "Just OK", and "Superb". Coins are awarded based on performance, with bonuses for earning Skill Stars and completing a game without misses; these coins can be spent at a shop, to skip games after repeated failures, or to pay for trials in the story. The story groups rhythm games into sets of four or five, each set containing one game from each of the three previous entries and a new game, with a Remix stage added in sets of five. Over 100 rhythm games are included, 70 from earlier titles and 30 new ones. Remix stages combine previous games from the set into a single song, often with a visual theme.
Plot
Tibby falls from the sky into Earth World and, after regaining consciousness, meets the player, who agrees to help him return to Heaven World. They travel through Earth World, meeting characters who speak of wanting to regain their "flow". At the Lush Tower, Remix levels are introduced; after clearing it, a beam sends Tibby upward, but he falls short. Additional towers appear, containing sequels of earlier games, new games, and remixes. After clearing all towers, multiple beams successfully send Tibby to Heaven World. The player later receives an invitation to Heaven World, which has become gloomy. They reach the Mamarin Palace, clear its three towers including the Final Remix, and Heaven World returns to normal. Tibby's mom reveals the gloom was caused by her holding her breath after getting hiccups.
Development and release
Rhythm Heaven Megamix was developed by Nintendo SPD Production Group 1 and Tsunku's TNX. Masami Yone, director of Rhythm Heaven Fever, returned as director, with Ko Takeuchi as art director and Yoshio Sakamoto as general producer. Composer Tsunku wanted the game to have a simple, easy-to-understand control scheme, differing from previous entries that adapted controls to hardware like the DS stylus or Wii Remote. He intended Megamix to feel like a fresh take for newcomers rather than a direct sequel, and despite its "Best Of" subtitle in Japan, he aimed to distinguish it from typical compilations. The game was among the last developed by Nintendo SPD before its merger with Nintendo EAD to form Nintendo EPD in 2015. Tsunku, who had his vocal cords removed due to laryngeal cancer during development, collaborated with various songwriters and singers; for "I'm a lady now", he asked a New York acquaintance to write lyrics and his six-year-old daughter sang. The "Karate Man" song required multiple attempts, with some unused ideas appearing in the Final Remix. The English versions include both English and Japanese audio. The game was announced in a January 2015 Japanese Nintendo Direct by Satoru Iwata, with more footage shown in April 2015, and released in Japan on June 11, 2015, physically and digitally. Nintendo also released badges and console themes to accompany the launch.
Reception
Rhythm Heaven Megamix received "generally favorable" reviews on Metacritic, with 74% of critics recommending it on OpenCritic. Famitsu gave it a total score of 34/40, with three eights and one ten. Critics praised the art style and music; Nintendo World Report's Zachary Miller called them "wildly experimental and never dull", while Nintendo Life's Jon Wahlgren said the game "absolutely oozes style" with music that is "a delicious flavor of futuristic electro pop". Game Informer's Kyle Hilliard enjoyed every song, including practice session music. The rhythm games were generally well received; Hilliard praised the assortment and noted that remastered games felt fresh due to tweaks, and called the remixes "exciting and challenging". However, some critics noted the simplicity of several games; USgamer's Bob Mackey said the start was "incredibly easy in a manner that may throw off Rhythm Heaven veterans". The trial gates were criticized: Miller called them "antithetical to how the game is otherwise played", and Wahlgren said the difficulty increase could cause frustration. Accessibility features were welcomed; Destructoid's Caitlin Cooke praised visual aides, the input timing gauge, and the ability to skip levels. Famitsu critics also praised the timing gauge. Mackey appreciated quality-of-life features like restarting a level immediately. Wahlgren recommended the game as a great introduction to the series.
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