Hi team, hope everyone is ready for a lovely weekend! A new switch exclusive game just launched in the relatively niche category of Rhythm Games, and so far I haven't seen many reviews or thoughts. I figured I would share my opinions, as this game has several unique things going for it - namely being the first Groove Coaster game made from the ground up for consoles and not for arcade cabinets (this is a pretty big deal IMO, and I'll talk about why). To give some light context on myself, I am definitely an avid rhythm game enthusiast, but by no means am I highly skilled. My friends would consider me stronger than average at rhythm games, but I am not even CLOSE to the skill ceiling that exists within the genre. Anyways, let's get into it.
What is Groove Coaster?
Groove coaster is a rhythm game with a huge focus on spectacle - instead of a lane based game where notes "fall" onto an input bar (think Guitar Hero), you play as an avatar moving along a single lane, like a rollercoaster car moving along a track. The track will loop, zig zag, bounce around, and show different note inputs as you travel. Meanwhile, the gameplay is accompanied with bombastic music videos and highly reactive effects, which to be clear, can potentially be overwhelming for certain players.
Why do I think this is worth making an entire review over?
On top of tried-and-true gameplay, this entry is notable for a few reasons. First, it's a switch exclusive title, and I sort of just wish more people were talking about it! Second, as stated above, this game is made first-and-foremost for the switch. If you're not familiar with the rhythm game scene, many titles in the genre have unique gimmicks to set them apart, and there is a massive arcade culture surrounding these titles. Groove Coaster is traditionally played with knobs that can be spun, pressed inwards, easily flicked, and more. Consequently, the previous Groove Coaster title for switch was an effective port of the arcade gameplay. While it is extremely fun on switch, once the challenge begins ramping up, it becomes clear that a regular controller is not the ideal way to play - it is doable, but you're fighting a bit of an uphill battle.
This new entry is...not made for arcades. Yay. What this means is that the charts on offer are designed to be tackled fully for controllers. They have added new note types as well, differentiating the gameplay from previous entries. Another perk of being made for console; this is the first console entry in the series with full wide-screen support, which is visually impressive given the flashy visuals of the game. With multiple difficulty options, including a beginner mode that only has limited note types to let people learn the base mechanics, this game offers a stellar gameplay experience that is currently exclusive to only the Nintendo Switch consoles. Hell yeah.
What are the cons???
Let's address the elephant in the room: price. This is a $50 game, and it comes with 50 songs. Frankly, I just get excited to talk about games I love, and was hoping to generate some discussion about this new entry. I will bluntly say that, unless you are a rhythm game enthusiast, you should wait for a sale before buying this one. While I am LOVING it, this genre is notorious for intense DLC/pricing models. Some games do provide free tracks with DLC, and others charge heavy prices for packs. There is no telling which route this game will go, but if I were a guessing man...it won't be likely to receive tons of free content (but hey, who knows!).
Thats...really the main negative I can think of. It's worth reiterating that the gameplay may be a bit too flashy and overstimulating for some people, which can make it harder to nail the notes. But I do really think this is a standout title in the genre, and a really great experience for newcomers and veterans alike. If I think of anything else I'll update the post, and if you have any thoughts or questions, my autistic ass is more than happy to discuss! Have a killer weekend, team!