Tetris 99 adds a Splatoon Raiders theme for its 56th Maximus Cup

Nintendo is bringing a Splatoon Raiders theme to Tetris 99 for the 56th Maximus Cup. The event runs from August 7 to August 10. Players who accumulate 100 event points during the three-day window will permanently unlock the theme.

The reward includes custom background art, new music, and specific Tetrimino designs based on the recent action RPG spin-off. According to Nintendo, the event kicks off at midnight Pacific Time on Friday.

100 points over three days

The point system remains the same as previous events. A first-place finish grants 100 points immediately, unlocking the theme in a single match. Lower placements award fewer points, scaling down to a single point for players who get eliminated early. I think this threshold is a good balance, ensuring anyone can unlock the reward if they play enough matches over the weekend.

Tetris 99 requires players to clear lines to send garbage blocks to 98 opponents simultaneously. The core gameplay loop is identical during Maximus Cup events, but the visual and audio feedback changes completely. The Splatoon Raiders theme replaces the traditional electronic soundtrack with the spin-off's new music.

Developer Arika built the battle royale puzzle game as a free download for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. Tetris 99 was released in February 2019, which is seven years prior to 2026. The current 2026 event shows the game is still an active promotional tool for Nintendo's broader publishing lineup.

Switch 2 promotion on older hardware

Splatoon Raiders launched on July 23 as a single-player spin-off for the Nintendo Switch 2. It trades the traditional multiplayer ink battles for treasure hunting and gadget-based combat against Salmonid enemies. The original Splatoon series started on the Wii U in 2015 as a competitive multiplayer shooter, making this new entry a major departure for the franchise.

I am curious how the gadget-based combat of Raiders translates into the block designs. Usually, Arika does a good job mapping character art to the different Tetrimino shapes. It bridges the gap for players who haven't upgraded to the Switch 2 yet.

Seven years of crossover themes

The Maximus Cup format has been running since the game's launch window. Nintendo uses these weekend events to cross-promote major releases and anniversaries. Past cups included themes for Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Xenoblade Chronicles 3, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder.