Tsunku shares emotional story behind Rhythm Heaven Groove and why he stayed loyal to Nintendo
Posted on July 23, 2026 by Carlos in News, Switch
After 11 years without a new entry, the Rhythm Heaven series finally returned with Rhythm Heaven Groove, which launched for Nintendo Switch on July 2. The release also marked the return of Japanese musician, composer, and producer Tsunku, who worked with Nintendo once again after creating the music for the original game.
In a post on his blog, Tsunku reflected on the 11 years leading up to the game’s release. He revealed that he occasionally received offers from other companies to create games similar to Rhythm Heaven, but declined them out of gratitude toward Nintendo and because he believed he would one day have the opportunity to work with the company again.
“I always believed I would get the opportunity to work with Nintendo on the next Rhythm Heaven, so I politely declined such offers. I’d say it’s my way of showing indebtedness to Nintendo for all the support I’ve received throughout the years,” Tsunku says.
The musician also reflected on an important period in his life during the development of Rhythm Heaven Megamix, which launched for Nintendo 3DS in 2015. In 2014, Tsunku was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer and underwent surgery that resulted in the removal of his vocal cords as part of his treatment.
The illness had a profound impact on both his work and his mental health. However, Tsunku said Nintendo’s unwavering commitment to continuing development on the game became one of the reasons he was able to push through those difficult times.
“The fact that Nintendo never halted development and kept working on the game ahead of its release became one of my beacons of hope. It’s what helped me gain the courage to tell myself, ‘You can do this!’,” he writes. “What I later learned was that Nintendo’s CEO Satoru Iwata had also been battling an illness around that same period…Once again, I extend my deepest condolences.”
Thanks to Automaton-media for today’s news. Rhythm Heaven Groove has been available on Nintendo Switch since July 2. You can also check out our thoughts on the game in our review by clicking here.
