Nintendo Is Playing the B-Sides

July 10, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

A bee stung Russ on his middle toe. Not because he was near a hive, but because he thought bees "always see hands" and would never expect a foot. The sting swelled his foot into what the other hosts immediately christened a "Bigfoot" case, and the episode opens with the group trying to decide whether this qualifies as a rookie-of-the-year moment for NFL punting during the World Cup. This is the texture of a Besties episode: digressions that somehow lead directly into the main subject, which this week is Rhythm Heaven Groove, the first entry in Nintendo's rhythm series in 11 years.

The Rhythm Heaven Formula, Preserved and Polished

Rhythm Heaven Groove is, at its core, exactly what the series has always been: a collection of short, brutally precise rhythm-based minigames that use only one or two buttons. The hosts describe it as the opposite of modern Nintendo's design philosophy. Where recent Zelda and Mario games are about expression, freedom, and "no wrong answers," Rhythm Heaven is about precision, competition, and a single correct timing. The game organizes its levels into sets of four, each culminating in a "remix" that jumps between all four minigames in a chaotic, thrilling music-video sequence. The hosts praise specific levels: "Stop and Go" (driving a car for a commercial, stopping and starting to the beat), a vegetable-chopping level that throws in trip

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What you'll learn

1 (00:00) **Bee Sting & Bigfoot Banter** - The crew opens with a surreal story about Russ getting stung on his middle toe by a bee, leading to a swollen "Bigfoot" foot.
2 (03:06) **Rhythm Heaven Groove: Core Premise & Simplicity** - The hosts introduce the main game of the week, a new Switch 2 rhythm game that relies on ultra-simple one or two-button controls.
3 (06:56) **Tutorials, Challenge, and the "Remix" Hook** - The conversation shifts to the game's tutorial-heavy structure and the thrill of its signature "remix" levels that combine multiple minigames.
4 (09:36) **Standout Minigames: Stop-and-Go, Sneezing Moon, and Crabs** - The hosts share their favorite specific minigames, highlighting the game's bizarre charm and escalating difficulty.
5 (12:30) **A Critique: Sterile Presentation vs. Weird Gameplay** - The panel critiques the game's modern, streamlined menu system, arguing it clashes with the franchise's traditionally quirky personality.
6 (14:23) **Multiplayer: The Surprising Star of the Show** - Russ and Chris pivot to the multiplayer mode, which they argue is a fantastic party game and the most compelling reason to buy Rhythm Heaven Groove.
7 (17:27) **Rhythm Precision vs. Modern Nintendo's "Freedom" Design** - The hosts discuss how Rhythm Heaven's demand for precision competes with modern Nintendo's focus on player expression and open-ended play.

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Show Notes

Rhythm Heaven returns after an eleven-year hiatus with Rhythm Heaven Groove. It’s a fun game, but something’s changed. The series? The boys? Nintendo? We find the answer. Plus, Frushtick talks about life with the Steam Machine. It’s neat! It’s expensive! And it’s a reflection of the moment!

Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at www.besties.fan. Want more episodes? Join us at patreon.com/thebesties for three bonus episodes each month!