As much as I’m looking forward to pickingXenoblade(again), it doesn’t hold a candle to my most anticipated Wii game of 2012;Rhythm Heaven Fever. LikeXenoblade, this is a game that I’ve already imported, but I still can’t wait to pick it up a second time. Why do I love it so much? Take the mostcharming internet memes, short films fromThe Animation Show, and cartoons from classicSesame StreetandElectric Company, put them in a rhythm game, and you pretty much haveRhythm Heaven Fever.Just as I sing theLady Bugs Picnicsong anytime I see a real life lady bug, I’m sure I’ll be singing thetambourine monkey songevery time I encounter a real life simian percussionist for the rest of my life.
I initially expected my love of the game to be something I couldn’t share with many other “hardcore” gamers, as cute, surreal rhythm action games haven’t exactly been big sellers on this side of the world of late. I may have been wrong about that, if the amount of fan videos for the game are any indication of fan interest in the game. First we had this sexy gaichi muchi remix of the game’s luchador level. Then there was a remix of the same song featuring yours truly. Now we have new versions of the video featuringIdiocracyand Old Spice superstarDwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho, Heavy fromTeam Fortress 2, and a very happy Japanese man. The Rhythm Heaven love doesn’t stop there. In fact, there is apparently an entire mini-genre ofTeam Fortress/Rhythm Heavenmash-ups calledRhythm Fortress.
It warms my tired, old heart to see a game that is 100% focused on fun get so much positive internet attention. See the rest of the videos, and more, after the jump.
