Rhythm Heaven DS
  • Publisher: Nintendo
  • Release Date: Apr 5, 2009
Metascore
83 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 48 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 48
  3. Negative: 0 out of 48
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  1. Giant Bomb
    100
    Rhythm Heaven is a great addition to the DS library that's definitely worth checking out if you've ever liked a WarioWare game.
  2. GamePro
    100
    Still, with such a wide selection of games to choose from with over 30 core mini-games, not to mention medals to win, "Perfect" ratings to earn, and incredibly simple yet insanely engaging Endless Games and Rhythm Toys to unlock (never thought I'd spend two hours digitally flicking a coin in tune with an ever-changing tempo), Rhythm Heaven is a must-own for handheld gamers everywhere, plain and simple, and a welcome breath of fresh air for the gaming scene in general.
  3. Wii Brasil
    95
    Although it has little problems that don't make it perfect, Rhythm Heaven is an excellent game which has to be, at least, played by every DS owner who has a bit of rhythmic sense. Those who don't even know how to get sound from a soda can will face problems while playing difficult levels.
  4. Thunderbolt
    90
    It speaks to so many things fans love about Nintendo and their products. The game shows off both the simplicity and complexity of DS, but more importantly, Rhythm Heaven is an insanely good time.
  5. Wired
    90
    Rhythm Heaven is exactly the sort of novel, deep, challenging game that people accuse Nintendo of not creating anymore. Play it.
  6. Nintendo Life
    90
    It still stands as one of the finest titles to grace the Nintendo DS. It’s packed full of content and will keep even the most experienced gamers playing for a good length of time due to its deep replay value.
  7. Eurogamer Spain
    90
    Rhythm Paradise is as awesome as it is difficult to explain how great it is. It should be the reference for future music games, as well as those based on short minigames.
  8. IGN
    90
    Even if you’re not a music fan you’re going to love Rhythm Heaven. It’s completely off the wall and unlike anything you’ve ever played on the Nintendo DS, not to mention incredibly fun and just as addictive.
  9. Nintendo Power
    90
    One of the few titles that does minigames right. [May 2009, p.86]
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  10. Play Magazine
    90
    A ridiculous amount of fun packed into a tiny DS cartridge, Rhythm Heaven's only real flaw is a bit of jet lag from its trip across the ocean.
  11. Destructoid
    90
    These musical minigames are ones that will make you laugh, challenge your sense of timing and reflex, and keep you coming back again and again. You'll fall in love.
  12. Meristation
    90
    It's more than just a musical game. It's pure rhythm. Nintendo has done it again with an completely original game, and outstanding one that will hit the streets in no time. As soon as it does, it will surely become another instant hit on the market. You just can't stop playing with all the different rhythms of this bizarre but lovely game. A must-have with no doubt.
  13. Vandal Online
    90
    Music games fans can fall in love with Ryhthm Heaven, or just the contrary, because its proposal is very different in comparison with most of the musical games in the market today.
  14. Impulsegamer
    89
    Although the game is reminiscent of WarioWare in terms of playability and content, Rhythm Heaven’s simplicity is the key to success and without trying to be too clever, Nintendo have once again redefined enjoyable gaming for the masses.
  15. Cheat Code Central
    88
    Punishingly difficult, yet ostentatiously cute, Rhythm Heaven is the epitome of what a handheld music-based game should be. Forget guitar grips or funky cheerleaders! You won't find a more engaging or entertaining music experience for the DS.
  16. GamingExcellence
    88
    Rhythm Heaven is one of those rare portable games that is so addictive it makes you wish you had a longer commute to work.
  17. 3DJuegos
    88
    Rhythm Heaven is a great example of good innovation with a low budget. The great variety in the mini games mix in a perfect way with the rhythm. One of the best musical games in the market. A fresh air in videogames.
  18. Pelit (Finland)
    87
    Rhythm Paradise has quirky sense of style, catchy tunes and it pushes you to try harder to master the minigames. Sometimes it’s hard to know what you are doing wrong though. [June 2009]
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  19. GameTrailers
    87
    Both the music and mini-game markets have become quite crowded since the original Japanese GBA release, but Rhythm Heaven still stands out among the crowd with its charming presentation, catchy original tunes, and addictive gameplay. This is one beat you don’t want to miss.

User Reviews

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User Score
9.0 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 44 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. MrHayden4495
    9
    If you thought this was one of those colored-indicators-fall-down like Guitar Hero, think again. This game is surprisingly innovative in the way it handles rhythmic gameplay. There are no obnoxious blocks or flashy lights to tell you if you did something right or wrong. In the game, there are creative situations where the rhythm is intuitive, and intuition is the game's strongest element. It's simplicity is more comprehensible than titles with unnecessarily complex tutorials (Rock Band). But the game also has tension, in which case the game forces the player to not only feel comfortable with the given rhythm but also play other rhythms the player has learned without transition or notice. The only que is the situation the player recognized from an earlier level. I will say this though. The only way to get a "Perfect" on a level is if the game opens it for the chance to get a "Perfect", which makes the player play levels he's already done flawlessly or not. Yes, the game can get a little bit frustrating. For example, missing beat may cost you the win. However, that is to make sure the player understands the game's standards, and soon enough, he will get there.… Full Review »
  2. nintendoid13
    10
    This game is amazing. I, being a drummer for about 5 years, I think this game is a great outlet for anyone who wants to expand their talent in rhythm or just to have fun! A great title for anyone's DS system! I love it!… Full Review »
  3. LordFawful
    8
    Have you ever played a game about lizards with musical instruments on their back? No? Then what about a game featuring monkeys at a pop music concert? You haven\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t? Perhaps you\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'ve tried a game about using karate to fling dumplings into your mouth? Oh. Well, Rhythm Heaven, Rhythm Tengoku Gold in Japan, is all that, and much, much more. It\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s a game about playing soccer (football in Europe) in space, joining an army of birds, and even joining a choir of cutesy bow-tie midgets. Plus more. There\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s 50 different minigames, most of them with a completely different theme to the last, but they all share the same gameplay. Tap, press, and flick your stylus to the beat of a brilliant tune. It\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s even crazier than it sounds, matching Lewis Carrol\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Alice in Wonderland duo in outrageous insanity. And it\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s been developed incredibly well. The music never sounds unfitting, and the controls always match the stage you\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'re playing. Speaking of the controls, they are the only downside to this masterpiece. The DS won\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t necessarily register what you\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'re doing properly unless you hold your stylus hand in an annoyingly uncomfortable position. And, on one particular level, you can get your timing one tenth of a second wrong and watch in horror as your little character performs the wrong move, mucking up your \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"superb\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" ranking. Your success is determined by a ranking. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"Try again\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" means you are a miserable failure, \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"okay\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" means you were decent enough to pass, while \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"superb\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" means you\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'re awesome and get a shiny gold medal. Which is just what I award this game with. If you have a DS, buy it for an amazingly low price.… Full Review »
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