Introduction

The Introduction (手ほどき) is where the player is introduced to the concept of rhythm at the beginning of every game in the Rhythm Heaven Series and can be replayed through the Café.

Rhythm Tengoku: Rhythm-kan Sokutei
When the player first starts Rhythm Tengoku, they are greeted by Samurai Drummer. He then takes them to the Rhythm-kan Sokutei (リズム感測定) machine which has a button on top. There are three tests: The machine will print a piece paper showing how well the player did on keeping the beat. After measuring their rhythm, the player receives a score from 0 to 100, Samurai Drummer assures the player that it doesn't matter how well they did as long as they have fun in the game, and takes the player to the Menu.
 * Press Ⓐ to the beat
 * Press Ⓐ after a countdown from 7
 * Press Ⓐ to the beat again, but with a rhythm.

Unlike future games, it can be played again by selecting the "リズム感測定" option below the Rhythm Games option in the Menu instead of going to the Café.

In Rhythm Tengoku Trial Version, a trimmed down version of Rhythm-kan Sokutei (where only the first test is taken) is selectable from the Game Select. This time the player can pause and quit if they so choose.

Appearances

 * Rhythmtestgba.png Rhythm-kan Sokutei

Rhythm Heaven: Practice Flicking
Rather than testing the player's rhythm, Rhythm Heaven has the player Practice Flicking (はじく練習をする). When the game starts, the player is greeted by the Bandleader. The frog will explain the game's touchscreen-based controls, including the flick. Then, they are presented with a target: a large Frogette doll. The player is required to flick a coin at the frog to hit it (tapping does nothing, and light flicking barely slides the coin). Hitting the frog enough times depletes a heart bar, reading "I give!" when fully depleted.

The next test is to hit a moving target: a car. Cars of varying speed move past the coin, and the player needs to flick at the right time to hit the car. Once a car bar is depleted, the frog gives parting words and ends the practice session. After clearing it, the Game Select screen is opened up, with Built to Scale as the only option.

This can be played again later at the Café, by selecting the "Practice Flicking" button.

Appearances

 * Practice Flicking

Rhythm Heaven Fever: Rhythm Test
When the player starts a new save file, they play the Rhythm Test (リズム感チェック). When the game starts, the player meets Marshal, Cam, and Miss Ribbon standing in front of a curtain. The characters will explain what the game is about, then present the first test, which requires pressing Ⓐ to a steady beat the game provides on a screen.

After a while of pressing, the game will provide a visual representation of the player's accuracy with blocks falling. If a block lands above or below the line, the timing was too early or too late, respectively. Blocks on the line mean the rhythm was perfect.

After the first chart is done, the next test begins. A countdown from seven will pop up on a screen, going at a steady beat. The player needs to press Ⓐ just as the countdown reaches zero. When the chart appears, the game will pull two tricks on the player; the countdown stops beeping, with each pattern stopping one count sooner than the previous one. This requires the player to count of their own. Halfway through the test, the characters will block the chart with signs, preventing the player from using the screen to help.

After the test, the curtains are closed, and Marshal wishes the player good luck. They also mention that pressing Ⓐ + Ⓑ together will be needed later. Pressing them makes Cam do a weird noise to confirm the inputs were done correctly. After that, the test ends. Clearing it unlocks the Game Menu, though only the first rhythm game, Hole in One, will be available.

The test can be taken again at the Café, by selecting the "Rhythm Test" button. It also makes a surprise reappearance in Remix 10 later on.

Appearances

 * Locked Game Wii icon.png Rhythm Test
 * Remix 10 wii icon.png Remix 10

Rhythm Heaven Megamix: Introduction
The Introduction or Intro (手ほどき) is played at the start of the game. Clearing it unlocks Honeybee Land, where the first Rhythm Game, Karate Man, is available.

In the beginning the player is greeted by a narrator, (most likely the Barista), who explains all about flow and sends the player to the introduction.

Here, the player, represented by a Mii, can try drumming. After hitting the drum a few times with Ⓐ or a tap, two more drummers come into view and the player must drum along with them. After that, the same thing is repeated but with music to make it easier. The intro ends by explaining the Skill Stars, and allows the player to try getting one. Regardless if they get it, the game continues.

It can be replayed at the Café by selecting Play Intro (手ほどきで あそぶ). The Introduction makes another appearance near the end of Final Remix. It can also be played in Download Play by pressing the "Introduction" button.

Appearances

 * Locked Game 3DS icon.png Introduction
 * Final Remix icon.png Final Remix

Trivia

 * An unused test-like game can be accessed through the debug menu of Rhythm Tengoku, where it is known as Metronome (メトロノーム) . Here, the player must press Ⓐ as the needle passes over the bird on the top, playing basically the same as the first test in Rhythm-kan Sokutei. It was reworked into Mr. Upbeat in the final game.
 * There is unused text suggesting Chameleon was intended as an "Ⓐ + Ⓑ Test" of sorts for Rhythm Heaven Fever , similar to "Practice Flicking". The final version instead has a modified version of Rhythm-kan Sokutei (with the third test dummied out) while the Chameleon game was made part of Endless Remix.
 * The signs used by Marshal, Cam, and Miss Ribbon read "Test in progress..." in the US version, and "Keep the beat!" in the UK version.
 * Introduction in Rhythm Heaven Megamix teaches the player the benefits of playing the game to music instead of it being done in the first Rhythm Game like in previous games.