Taito Corporation has released Groove Coaster Future Performers exclusively as a Nintendo eShop exclusive for the Nintendo Switch, marking the first new entry in the rhythm game series in six years. Available for download now, this latest installment seeks to present both series veterans and newcomers with an evolved, music-driven experience packed with fresh features.
Groove Coaster Future Performers aims to bring the franchise’s signature “music game × roller coaster” gameplay to new heights. Players race along rails that move in sync with the soundtrack, aiming to hit notes with precise timing while immersed in a world of vibrant visual effects and dynamic lighting. The title boasts a playlist of 50 songs, spanning popular anime, J-pop, VTuber, Vocaloid, Touhou arrangements, and original tracks.
A sample of the featured songs includes:
- “Idol” by YOASOBI
- “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” by Creepy Nuts
- “Bibbidiba” by Hoshimachi Suisei
- “Mesmerizer” by Satsuki
- “Cirno’s Perfect Math Class” by ARM (IOSYS)
For the first time in the series, the game is presented in a horizontal full-screen layout, fully showcasing the newly refined backgrounds and even incorporating original music videos for select tracks. Players can choose between Basic mode, which simplifies gameplay to four note types for accessibility, or Advanced mode, which offers nine note types for a greater challenge.
A major addition is the series’ first-ever Story Mode, set in a future where Groove Coaster has become a national sport. Players take on the role of protagonist Sendou Kakeru (voiced by Reiji Kawashima) and, alongside friends and mentors, aim for the top of the tournament. The mode features full voice acting with a cast that includes Ayane Sakura, Shirakami Fubuki, Sakura Miko, and more, further enhancing the game’s narrative appeal.
