Rhythm Heaven Fever Approaches

The onslaught of rhythm games has substantially slowed down in recent times, especially considering the relative avalanche gamers were consistently presented with not too long ago. But if you're a huge fan of getting your digital boogie on, worry not - there are still several notable titles on the way in 2012. Theatrhythm Final Fantasy (which we can only hope will make its way to the States) and Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure have piqued our interest, both coming to the 3DS sometime this year. But the most imminent of the bunch is certainly Rhythm Heaven Fever for the Wii, which will hit store shelves in just a handful of weeks, on February 13.

Fever is a follow-up to the charming DS title Rhythm Heaven, which itself was a sequel to the Japan-only Game Boy Advance game Rhythm Tengoku. The game wowed us with its originality and addictive nature, and we can only hope this new installment can capture that same magic. While the game has already been out in Japan for a while, the rest of us have gotten relatively no hands-on time with the newest entry in this experimental rhythm series, save a short, show floor demo at E3 2011.

Since we likely won't get any real time with the game until our review copy arrives, below we've listed a few things we hope to see from Fever if it has any chance of making us catch the Rhythm Heaven bug one more time.

The DS installment of Rhythm Heaven had around 50 levels for players to tap and slide their way through. We're hoping the Wii version has even more levels to master, and a wider variety of mini-games to boot. Because this game has the luxury of being on a home console, it also might be fitting to make the rhythm challenges a bit longer or perhaps a tad more complex. This would not only build upon the groundwork of Fever's predecessors and help the game make more sense as a console title, but it would also give gamers (especially those who played the other versions) more bang for their buck.

To be fair, the game is releasing for the discounted price of $30, the same price the DS version went for when it first launched. However, we still think it's reasonable to expect more content from a console release - especially considering gamers who missed the DS installment can now easily pick it up for $10 or less. Give us more and longer levels and a whole new soundtrack of original music, and we'll be more than happy to catch the fever.

In all honesty, a game like Rhythm Heaven is custom-made for on-the-go gaming. With its short and sweet bursts of quirky, experimental gameplay, it's the epitome of the type of experience best suited for a handheld. To make it work as a home console experience - one that doesn't feel unnecessary or forced - the developers need to make this version feel like something that could only have been possible on the Wii.

Motion controls, if used well, could add a lot to the formula. Instead of tapping or swiping with the stylus players could move the Wii remote to the various beats. The Wii remote could also be used to mimic various instruments, or for a variety of other mini-games that could prove why this portable-centric game belongs on the Wii. Yes, if overdone or not accurate enough this could prove more frustrating than fun, but Nintendo has proven itself more than capable of well-implemented motion controls. If done right, this could be just what Fever needs to set it apart.

Although tacking on multiplayer isn't always a suitable (or acceptable) option for upgrading a new installment in a franchise, we feel it would actually be a great complement to the Rhythm Heaven formula. Think of the silly, schizophrenic fun of Wario Ware: Smooth Moves, only with a focus on rhythm and music.

We already know Rhythm Heaven Fever supports two players, but we hope the multiplayer portion of the game is one of the key highlights, if not the main attraction. The idea of watching a buddy mess up and get angry as we both try to work together (or face off against each other) in a rhythm showdown sounds like a recipe for big laughs. If this new game works the right angle, it could be the next big thing in Wii party games. The potential is there, here's hoping the developers didn't waste it.

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Those are the things we hope to see from the forthcoming Rhythm Heaven Fever. Did we miss anything? What would make you drop the cash for the Wii's newest rhythm game? Sound off in the comments below!


Audrey Drake is an Associate Editor of IGN.com and a proud member of the IGN Nintendo team. She is also a lifelong gamer, a frequent banisher of evil and a wielder of various legendary blades. You can follow her zany exploits on MyIGN and Twitter. Game on!

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