Rhythm Heaven Fever
{{Short description|2011 video game}}
{{more citations needed|date=August 2011}}
{{redirect|Beat the Beat|the Mari Wilson song|Mari Wilson discography#Singles}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Rhythm Heaven Fever
| image = Rhythm-heaven-fever.jpg
| caption = North American game cover
| developer = Nintendo SPD
TNX
| publisher = Nintendo
| producer = Tsunku
| designer = Ko Takeuchi
Masami Yone
Takafumi Masaoka
Kyohei Seki
Takumi Hatakeyama
| programmer = Takafumi Masaoka
Takumi Hatakeyama
| artist = Ko Takeuchi
| composer = Tsunku
Masami Yone
Shinji Ushiroda
Asuka Ito
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|July 21, 2011|NA|February 13, 2012|EU|July 6, 2012|AU|September 13, 2012}}
| genre = Music
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| platforms = Wii
| series = Rhythm Heaven
}}
Rhythm Heaven Fever, known in PAL regions as Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise, {{Nihongo foot|Minna no Rhythm Tengoku|みんなのリズム天国|Minna no Rizumu Tengoku|group=lower-alpha|extra=lit. Everybody's Rhythm Heaven|lead=yes}} in Japan and Rhythm World Wii (리듬 세상 Wii, Lideum Sesang Wii) in Korea, is a music video game developed by Nintendo and TNX and published by Nintendo for the Wii. It is the third game in the Rhythm Heaven series, following Rhythm Tengoku for the Game Boy Advance and Rhythm Heaven for the Nintendo DS, and was succeeded by Rhythm Heaven Megamix for the Nintendo 3DS in 2016. The game was released in Japan on July 21, 2011, in North America on February 13, 2012, in Europe on July 6, 2012, and in Australia on September 13, 2012. It was digitally re-released for the Wii U in Japan on July 27, 2016, in North America on November 10, 2016, and in Europe on November 22, 2016.
Gameplay
As with Rhythm Tengoku and its DS sequel, Rhythm Heaven Fever features various levels with their own set of rules, requiring the player to play in time to the rhythm in order to clear them. These levels range from stabbing peas with a fork, to attacking evil spirits with a sword, and playing badminton in midair. The game is played by either tapping the A button, or squeezing the A and B buttons together. At the end of each level, players are ranked on their performance, with at least an 'OK' rank required to clear the level and progress onto the next. Each set of levels culminates in a Remix stage, which combines all of the gameplay elements of the previous levels in one stage.
Clearing levels with a Superb rating earns medals that unlock extra content, including Rhythm Toys, Endless Games and four levels from the original Rhythm Tengoku, plus a bonus credits level. Levels that have been cleared with a Superb rating may also be randomly selected for a Perfect attempt, in which the player can try to clear the level without making any mistakes with a maximum of 3 retries before the perfect challenge disappears. Clearing these unlock bonus items such as songs and lyrics. The game also features a co-op mode in which two players can play simultaneously. Levels played in this mode require players to earn enough points in total to reach the desired rank and clear each stage, with bonus points awarded based on the harmony of the players that can improve the rank. These levels come with their own set of medals which can unlock multiplayer endless games.
Development
Producer Yoshio Sakamoto and Nintendo SPD Group No.1 were responsible for the programming, graphic design, and some of the music in the game. The development team made some prototypes using 3D models, however, they felt that the flow of the games worked best with 2D animation. Motion controls were also ignored in favor of more accurate button controls.{{Cite web |title=Iwata Asks - Rhythm Heaven Fever - Page 1 |url=https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/rhythmheavenfever/0/0/ |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=iwataasks.nintendo.com |language=en}}
Collaborator and musician Tsunku and his music studio TNX created several of the performed vocal songs found throughout the game. These songs are "Tonight" (used in Remix 3), "Lonely Storm" (used in Karate Man, with a remixed version used in its sequel), "Dreams of Our Generation" (used in Night Walk), "I Love You, My One and Only" (used in Remix 8), and "Beautiful One Day" (used in Remix 9), performed by Mana Ogawa, Soshi, Nice Girl Trainee, The Possible, and Canary Club respectively. For the English version, these songs were re-recorded by Annette Marie Cotrill, Aimee Blackschleger, and Clinton Edward Strother. Soundtrack albums for the game were only released in Japan. The first has all of the music from the game, which was released on August 24, 2011, and the second has the vocal songs used in the game, which was released on August 31, 2011.
In the English versions of the game, an endless minigame based on manzai routines was removed due to the dialogue focused nature of the game and was replaced with another minigame from Rhythm Tengoku known as "Mr. Upbeat".{{cite web |url=http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/rhythmheavenfever/0/3 |title=Iwata Asks - Rhythm Heaven Fever: 4. Music Spinning in Your Head |publisher=Nintendo |access-date=May 7, 2013 |archive-date=July 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725233103/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/rhythmheavenfever/0/3 |url-status=live }} The European and Australian versions of the game allow players to toggle between English and Japanese voices and songs.{{cite web |last=Holmes |first=Jonathan |date=April 21, 2012 |url=http://www.destructoid.com/rhythm-heaven-comes-to-europe-in-english-and-japanese-226270.phtml |title=Rhythm Heaven comes to Europe in English and Japanese |website=Destructoid |access-date=June 15, 2015 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924045913/http://www.destructoid.com/rhythm-heaven-comes-to-europe-in-english-and-japanese-226270.phtml |url-status=live }}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 83/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/rhythm-heaven-fever/critic-reviews/?platform=wii |title=Rhythm Heaven Fever for Wii Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=May 7, 2013 |archive-date=December 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121230034835/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/rhythm-heaven-fever |url-status=live }}
| 1UP = A−{{cite web| title=Review: Rhythm Heaven Fever Masterfully Proves the Power of Physical Buttons |author=Jose Otero |date=February 8, 2012 |publisher=1Up.com |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/rhythm-heaven-fever-wii |archive-date=October 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009184254/http://www.1up.com/reviews/rhythm-heaven-fever-wii |access-date=December 10, 2023}}
| Edge = 8/10{{cite magazine |author=Edge staff |date=July 6, 2012 |url=http://www.edge-online.com/reviews/beat-beat-rhythm-paradise-review |title=Beat The Beat: Rhythm Paradise review |magazine=Edge |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709002032/http://www.edge-online.com/reviews/beat-beat-rhythm-paradise-review |archive-date=July 9, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=August 19, 2016}}
| EGM = 9/10{{cite magazine |last=Patterson |first=Eric |date=February 15, 2012 |url=http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/egm-review-rhythm-heaven-fever/ |title=EGM Review: Rhythm Heaven Fever |magazine=EGMNow |access-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-date=July 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724231639/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/egm-review-rhythm-heaven-fever/ |url-status=dead }}
| EuroG = 8/10{{cite web |last=Parkin |first=Simon |date=July 5, 2012 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-07-05-beat-the-beat-rhythm-paradise-review |title=Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise Review |website=Eurogamer |access-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016185544/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-07-05-beat-the-beat-rhythm-paradise-review |url-status=live }}
| Fam = 32/40{{cite web |last=Gifford |first=Kevin |date=July 13, 2011 |url=http://www.1up.com/news/japan-review-check-rhythm-heaven |title=Japan Review Check: Rhythm Heaven, No More Heroes |website=1UP.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019205313/http://www.1up.com/news/japan-review-check-rhythm-heaven |archive-date=October 19, 2012 }}
| GI = 8.5/10{{cite magazine |last=Hilliard |first=Kyle |date=February 29, 2012 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/rhythm_heaven_fever/b/wii/archive/2012/02/29/rhythm-heaven-fever-review-nintendo-s-bizarre-musical-experiment-finds-a-home-on-the-wii.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303051522/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/rhythm_heaven_fever/b/wii/archive/2012/02/29/rhythm-heaven-fever-review-nintendo-s-bizarre-musical-experiment-finds-a-home-on-the-wii.aspx |url-status=live |archive-date=March 3, 2012 |title=Rhythm Heaven Fever: Nintendo's Bizarre Musical Experiment Finds A Home On The Wii |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=August 19, 2016}}
| GameRev = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |last=Fettig |first=Eddy DS |date=February 27, 2012 |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/rhythm-heaven-fever |title=Rhythm Heaven Fever Review |publisher=Game Revolution |access-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-date=October 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001131616/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/rhythm-heaven-fever |url-status=live }}
| GSpot = 8/10{{cite web |last=Meunier |first=Nathan |date=February 13, 2012 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/rhythm-heaven-fever-review/1900-6350268/ |title=Rhythm Heaven Fever Review |website=GameSpot |access-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-date=August 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803041620/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/rhythm-heaven-fever-review/1900-6350268/ |url-status=live }}
| GT = 8.6/10{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/7ytdi1/rhythm-heaven-fever-review |title=Rhythm Heaven Fever Review |publisher=GameTrailers |date=February 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717013725/http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/7ytdi1/rhythm-heaven-fever-review |archive-date=July 17, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=August 19, 2016}}
| GB = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite web |last=Navarro |first=Alex |date=February 22, 2012 |url=http://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/rhythm-heaven-fever-review/1900-473/ |title=Rhythm Heaven Fever Review |publisher=Giant Bomb |access-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-date=May 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527101033/http://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/rhythm-heaven-fever-review/1900-473/ |url-status=live }}
| Hyper = 8/10{{cite journal |title=Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise |journal=Hyper |date=December 2012}}
| IGN = 7/10{{cite web |last=Drake |first=Audrey |date=February 6, 2012 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/02/07/rhythm-heaven-fever-review |title=Rhythm Heaven Fever Review |website=IGN |access-date=May 8, 2013 |archive-date=July 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703150844/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/02/07/rhythm-heaven-fever-review |url-status=live }}
| Joystiq = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |last=Fletcher |first=JC |date=February 9, 2012 |url=https://www.engadget.com/2012/02/09/rhythm-heaven-fever-review-crazy-into-you/ |title=Rhythm Heaven Fever review: Crazy into you |publisher=Engadget (Joystiq) |access-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608014113/https://www.engadget.com/2012/02/09/rhythm-heaven-fever-review-crazy-into-you/ |url-status=live }}
| NP = 8/10{{cite magazine |title=Rhythm Heaven Fever |magazine=Nintendo Power |volume=276 |date=March 2012 |page=85}}
| rev1 = Digital Spy
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |last=Martin |first=Liam |date=July 9, 2012 |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/review/a392385/beat-the-beat-rhythm-paradise-review-wii-a-bizarre-wonderful-treat/ |title=Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise review (Wii): A bizarre, wonderful treat |website=Digital Spy |access-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-date=September 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910173105/http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/review/a392385/beat-the-beat-rhythm-paradise-review-wii-a-bizarre-wonderful-treat/ |url-status=live }}
| rev2 = Wired
| rev2Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Meyer |first=John Mix |date=February 8, 2012 |url=https://www.wired.com/2012/02/rhythm-heaven-fever-review/ |title=Review: I Don't Need No Doctor For This Rhythm Heaven Fever |magazine=Wired |access-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-date=June 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603125810/https://www.wired.com/2012/02/rhythm-heaven-fever-review/ |url-status=live }}
}}
The game received "favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of one nine, two eights, and one seven for a total of 32 out of 40, and it sold over 100,000 copies in the country in its first week.{{cite web |last=Gantayat |first=Anoop |date=July 28, 2011 |url=http://andriasang.com/comx91/media_create_sales/ |title=Wii Rhythm Heaven Tops the Charts |publisher=Andriasang |access-date=May 8, 2013 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230711/http://andriasang.com/comx91/media_create_sales/ |url-status=live }} Jose Otero from 1Up.com gave the game an A−, stating: "The amount of mileage Nintendo squeezes out of Rhythm Heaven Fever's two-button gameplay is remarkable -- more than 50 mini-games including regular stages, rhythm toys, and endless games to play -- especially in a time when the kind of games I typically consume require more button inputs."
Notes
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20150316141625/http://rhythmheavenfever.nintendo.com:80}} {{in lang|en}} [Archive]
- {{Official website|http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/somj}} {{in lang|ja}}
- {{moby game|id=/wii/rhythm-heaven-fever}}
{{Rhythm Heaven}}
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Video games developed in Japan