Rhythm Paradise Megamix Finally Drops October 22

Trust me: You need Rhythm Paradise Megamix in your life.

Attention, Australia! I mean it: everyone in Australia stop what you’re doing and listen up. One of the best 3DS games of the year is coming out on October 22. I’m talking, of course, about Rhythm Paradise Megamix. This game has been out since June in the United States, where it’s known as Rhythm Heaven Megamix. This happens to be one of my top-5 favorite games of 2016 so far, and you owe it to yourselves to check it out.

If you’ve ever played a WarioWare game or past Rhythm Heaven games, then you know pretty much what to expect. This is a massive collection of rhythm-based mini games that will challenge you, surprise you, and delight you. In all you can expect to find over 100 mini games, each with its own unique tune, spanning the entire catalog Rhythm Heavens past. There are also 30 brand new rhythm games to be mastered as well.

Rhythm Paradise Megamix represents almost everything I love about Nintendo. The presentation is polished to a shine, though the visuals are fairly simplistic. The songs are incredible and unforgettable, and I mean that quite literally. You’re going to get so many random tunes stuck in your head as you play through the campaign. In true Nintendo fashion, you’ll find that the setting, characters, and instructions are generally extremely kind and helpful. You’re going to have fun, and it’s going to be good for your brain.

There’s also quite a bit to do on the side, as well. There’s a “cafe” area, away from the main story path, where you’ll find a chatty canine barista, a museum of games and songs encountered so far, a shop, and some bonus mini games that unlock neat surprises. If you’re feeling brave, there’s also a separate challenge area where you can participate in special lineups of select rhythm games that have been made more difficult than you may remember them from story mode. Here you’ll only have three tries to make it through each challenge, but if you do, you’ll be rewarded with a special currency that unlocks even more surprises. So many surprises!

By the way, Nintendo has also given you some neat options for audio and gameplay. You can toggle between English and Japanese mixes for songs, and you’ll also find a toggle to switch between button-based or “simple tap” gameplay using the stylus and touch pad.

I know – prices kind of suck in Australia. Rhythm Paradise Megamix won’t totally break you, though. It can be had for about $50 AUD. It’s worth every penny. It will remind you of playing video games as a kid. You’ll smile and you’ll laugh at least a few times, even if out of sheer confusion at the absurdity of it all. Check it out this October. You won’t regret it. For more of my thoughts, here’s a casual review we posted a while back when I was still obsessed.