Rhythm Heaven Megamix

Sing along with frogs, cut hair in rhythm, knock baseballs precisely on the beat – and the best is yet to come. Rhythm Heaven Megamix is an explosion of pure, undiluted joy, a compilation of the best minigames from the entire series plus a heap of new ones, stitched together into one insanely catchy package. If there is a game guaranteed to brighten your day, this is the one.

The principle is brilliantly simple and at the same time devilishly addictive: each minigame is built on a single thing – feeling the rhythm. You press buttons on the exact beat, and crucially, often with your gaze averted from the visual action, guided only by the music and your hearing. Megamix gathers dozens of these "rhythm games" from previous entries (from Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and Wii) and supplements them with new ones, connected by a central storyline full of adorably wacky characters.

The series is a child of studio Nintendo SPD and behind it stands the musician Tsunku, a Japanese pop icon and producer whose sense for a catchy melody permeates every single note of the game. It is his musical instinct that makes Rhythm Heaven something exceptional – the tunes burrow into your head and won't let go.

Megamix adds a new progression system, a rewards shop, and a shorter, friendlier difficulty curve, so it serves as an ideal gateway for newcomers. The controls were simplified to buttons (compared to the touch controls of the DS entry), which many players consider more precise.

Culturally, the series has built a devoted cult of fans thanks to its distinctive, surreally adorable aesthetic and unmistakable humor. Megamix is the most comprehensive declaration of love to this brand – a kind of best-of with extra reach that can entertain for five minutes or absorb you for hours.

Why play: An immensely catchy and funny rhythm compilation with Tsunku's melodies, perfect for short bursts of pure gaming joy as well as passionate chasing of a perfect score.