As the first title in the Rhythm Heaven franchise in over 10 years, it’s no surprise that fans are having a blast Rhythm Heaven Groove, which launched on July 2 for the Nintendo Switch 2. What is surprising, however, is the recent trend of social media posts in Japan showcasing cats that are mesmerized by the gameplay.
The cats don’t seem to be particularly picky about which minigames their owners are playing. From flying cooking ingredients to floating volleyballs, if there’s something moving on the screen, chances are a cat chasing after it. It may have something to do with the simplicity of Rhythm Heaven Groove’s repeated animations and beats, but one can only guess what has got these feline companions more absorbed in the game than their owners.
While Rhythm Heaven Groove definitely isn’t meant to be a cat-themed title similar to the likes of Stray or Little Kitty, Big City, cats tend to appear in the game’s stages. A white cat can be seen near the sink in Slice N Dice Kitchen while a black-and-white cat grabs any ingredients you might have missed. Several Maneki-Neko hop to the beat in Hop Stop N Roll. Aside from the previous examples where cats are on full display, some stages include secret cats that only pop up when certain conditions are met.
If you’re a Rhythm Groove enjoyer and also a cat owner, you might want to plop your furry friend in front of the screen the next time you play. You might find out that your cat is just as obsessed with the game as you are.
Rhythm Heaven Groove is available on the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.
