CookieRun, Rhythm Heaven, and Splatoon Lead This Week’s Gaming News

Summer gaming continues at full speed with major content updates, new game announcements, live events, and real-world activations. This week’s roundup includes fresh adventures for CookieRun and Splatoon fans, Nintendo’s latest releases, esports industry news, and creative ways publishers are bringing games beyond the screen.

Devsisters launches the Dragontongue Song Update for CookieRun: Kingdom, introducing fan-favorite Ananas Dragon Cookie as the Timeline of Fate storyline continues. The update takes players to Pineapple Island, where a new story chapter, powerful battle mechanics, and the franchise’s second playable Dragon Cookie expand the mobile RPG’s world.

Players can also experience the return of limited-time modes, including Duel of Destiny and Glorious Voyage, take on the new Golden Harvest roguelike mini-game, and unlock a Legendary Costume for Wind Archer Cookie. The update arrives alongside preregistration for CookieRun: Crumble and an upcoming CookieRun: Braverse Trading Card Game booster set, giving fans multiple new experiences across the CookieRun franchise this summer.

Nintendo’s latest weekly update is led by the launch of Rhythm Heaven Groove, the newest entry in the long-running rhythm series, now available for Nintendo Switch with Nintendo Switch 2 compatibility and a free demo. 

Players can also jump into Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains, while preorders are now open for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, launching Aug. 11 for Nintendo Switch 2.

Elsewhere, Nintendo added new Mario Kart World Knockout Tour rallies, expanded Nintendo Music with tracks from Rhythm Heaven Groove, Animal Crossing: New Horizons — Happy Home Paradise, and classic Mario Kart titles, and kicked off additional events, including the Star Fox-themed Tetris 99 Maximus Cup. The update also includes dozens of new eShop releases across Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, alongside the ongoing Summer Sale and a limited-time promotion for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.

Nintendo has revealed new details about Splatoon Raiders, the upcoming action shooter launching exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 July 23. Players take on the role of a mechanic exploring the Spirhalite Islands alongside Deep Cut in search of treasure, battling waves of Salmonids with more than 100 weapons, customizable gadgets, and upgradeable tanks. The game features a single-player campaign, optional online and local co-op, three difficulty settings, extensive character customization, and progression systems that reward exploration and repeated play. Nintendo also confirmed new Splatoon Raiders amiibo, a themed Splatoon 3 Splatfest, and Deep Cut-inspired Joy-Con 2 controllers arriving alongside the game’s launch.

The Esports Foundation hosts the New Global Sport Conference (NGSC) Oct. 30-Nov. 1 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ahead of the Esports Nations Cup 2026. Centered on the theme Defining Victory, this year’s event explores how artificial intelligence, investment, monetization, and evolving fan engagement are reshaping gaming, esports, and sports. 

NGSC expands internationally for the first time with an invitation-only summit in Paris during the Esports World Cup 2026. Building on last year’s event, which drew more than 1,500 delegates and industry leaders from companies including Ubisoft, Amazon, Sony, and FIFA, the conference brings together executives, investors, publishers, and innovators to discuss the future of competitive gaming and forge new partnerships.

Candy Crush brought its gameplay to the streets of New York City with Candy Cabs, a one-day activation June 30 that gave players the chance to earn a free taxi ride by completing a Candy Crush level before reaching their destination.

Fans reserved a ride by scanning QR codes on Candy Crush-branded cabs and posters throughout Manhattan, then played an in-cab tablet for the opportunity to unlock a free trip to select World Cup watch-party locations. The activation ties into Candy Crush’s ongoing Soccer Season tournament, which features in-game Soccer Leagues, leaderboards, exclusive rewards, and a campaign headlined by soccer star Alex Morgan.