---
title: "Tetris 99 Announces Splatoon Raiders Theme for 56th Maximus Cup"
url: "https://www.nintendoreporters.com/en/news/nintendo-switch-2/tetris-99-announces-splatoon-raiders-theme-for-56th-maximus-cup/"
description: "Tetris 99 is preparing to cover its familiar battle royale arena in brightly coloured ink during the newly announced 56th Maximus Cup."
author: "Patrick Dankers"
published at: "2026-08-10 10:10:54"
image: "https://www.nintendoreporters.com/storage/files/tetris-99-announces-splatoon-raiders-theme-for-56th-maximus-cup.jpeg"
markdown url: "https://www.nintendoreporters.com/en/news/nintendo-switch-2/tetris-99-announces-splatoon-raiders-theme-for-56th-maximus-cup.md"
---

Tetris 99 Announces Splatoon Raiders Theme for 56th Maximus Cup | Nintendo Switch 2 News | NintendoReporters

 [![Tetris 99 Announces Splatoon Raiders Theme for 56th Maximus Cup](https://www.nintendoreporters.com/storage/files/tetris-99-announces-splatoon-raiders-theme-for-56th-maximus-cup.jpeg "Tetris 99 Announces Splatoon Raiders Theme for 56th Maximus Cup")](https://www.nintendoreporters.com/storage/files/tetris-99-announces-splatoon-raiders-theme-for-56th-maximus-cup.jpeg)**Summary:**

Tetris 99 is preparing to cover its familiar battle royale arena in brightly coloured ink during the newly announced 56th Maximus Cup. This limited-time Nintendo Switch event gives players an opportunity to unlock an exclusive theme inspired by Splatoon Raiders, bringing together two very different Nintendo experiences in one energetic crossover. Rather than firing ink at enemies or searching mysterious islands for treasure, participants will need to survive hectic matches against 98 other Tetris players.

The event begins on August 7 at 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time and concludes on August 10 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Due to regional time differences, the competition continues into August 11 in parts of Europe. Throughout the event, players can earn points by entering matches through the standard Tetris 99 mode. Finishing closer to first place awards more points, but winning the entire match isn’t necessary. Once a player has collected a total of 100 event points, the Splatoon Raiders theme will permanently unlock for use after the competition ends.

The reward includes visual artwork, music and specially redesigned Tetriminos based on Splatoon Raiders. It changes the atmosphere of each match without altering the core rules, making it a fun cosmetic prize for fans of either series. Tetris 99 is available for Nintendo Switch, while access to its main online mode requires an active Nintendo Switch Online membership.

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## [](#tetris-99-announces-its-56th-maximus-cup)Tetris 99 announces its 56th Maximus Cup

Nintendo is keeping the blocks falling with the announcement of the Tetris 99 56th Maximus Cup, a new limited-time competition built around Splatoon Raiders. The event follows the familiar format used by recent Maximus Cups, inviting players to enter online matches and gradually work towards an exclusive crossover reward. This time, the battlefield receives a colourful makeover inspired by the ink-covered world of Nintendo’s Splatoon spin-off. It may sound like an unusual partnership at first, but the fast movement, bold colours and mounting pressure of both games fit together surprisingly well. Tetris 99 already feels like organised chaos on a good day, so adding some Splatoon personality to the mix feels perfectly natural. Players won’t need to purchase Splatoon Raiders to participate, although anyone familiar with the game will probably recognise more of the artwork, sounds and musical references included in the unlockable design.

### [](#the-splatoon-raiders-theme-transforms-each-match)The Splatoon Raiders theme transforms each match

The main reward is a complete Splatoon Raiders theme that changes several parts of the Tetris 99 presentation. Nintendo has confirmed that it features unique artwork, music and Tetrimino designs inspired by the Nintendo Switch 2 game. These elements give the arena a distinctive appearance while preserving the mechanics that experienced players already know. In other words, nobody needs to relearn how to clear lines just because the blocks suddenly look ready for a Turf War. Themes can make a noticeable difference to the feel of Tetris 99, especially when they replace the standard soundtrack and interface with recognisable material from another Nintendo release. The Splatoon series is particularly well suited to this treatment because its identity is built around vivid colours, energetic music and playful visual effects. Even during a tense final confrontation, the new design should help every match feel lively and unmistakably connected to Splatoon Raiders.

#### [](#players-must-collect-100-event-points)Players must collect 100 event points

Unlocking the theme requires players to collect a total of 100 event points before the event closes. Points are awarded after participating in online matches through Tetris 99 mode, so progress can be made simply by continuing to play. The reward isn’t reserved for tournament champions or players who can execute perfect T-Spins while drinking coffee with their other hand. Everyone has an opportunity to reach the target, provided they enter enough matches during the available period. Event points accumulate across separate rounds, meaning a disappointing early elimination doesn’t erase earlier progress. That structure makes the Maximus Cup accessible to newcomers while still rewarding experienced competitors who consistently survive longer. Once the 100-point requirement has been reached, the theme unlocks and becomes available through the game’s customisation options. Players can then continue using it after the event has ended, turning a few days of determined competition into a permanent addition to their theme collection.

##### [](#strong-finishes-make-unlocking-the-theme-faster)Strong finishes make unlocking the theme faster

Although every qualifying match can contribute towards the goal, finishing higher in the rankings provides more event points. Players who regularly reach the final stages will therefore unlock the Splatoon Raiders theme in fewer matches than those eliminated early. That doesn’t mean everyone needs to adopt an aggressive strategy from the opening seconds. Sometimes staying calm, keeping the board tidy and waiting for opponents to make mistakes is far more effective than launching attacks in every direction. Tetris 99 becomes increasingly frantic as the field shrinks, with completed badges allowing opponents to send larger amounts of garbage. A clean board creates room to recover when those attacks arrive. Players who struggle to place highly can still reach 100 points through persistence, while skilled competitors may complete the requirement fairly quickly. The system strikes a sensible balance between performance and participation, allowing the strongest players to progress faster without placing the reward beyond the reach of more casual Nintendo Switch owners.

## [](#the-event-runs-for-a-limited-period-in-august)The event runs for a limited period in August

The Tetris 99 56th Maximus Cup begins on August 7 at 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time and runs until August 10 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. For players in European regions, the time-zone difference means the event begins during the morning of August 7 and remains available into August 11. Checking the in-game event information is the easiest way to confirm the precise ending time for a specific region. The window provides several days to earn the required points, but leaving every match until the final evening could turn a fun challenge into a rather stressful race. Tetris is already good enough at raising heart rates without adding a ticking real-world deadline. Spreading the necessary matches across the event period gives players more flexibility and reduces the pressure of an unlucky run. Once the competition closes, additional matches will no longer award points towards this particular reward, so reaching the full total before the deadline is essential.

## [](#nintendo-switch-online-is-required-to-participate)Nintendo Switch Online is required to participate

Tetris 99 can be downloaded for Nintendo Switch, but access to its central online battle royale mode requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Players will also need a Nintendo Account and an internet connection to participate in the 56th Maximus Cup. Anyone who previously downloaded the game should make sure it is updated before the event starts, helping to avoid an unexpected installation delay when they are ready to play. The standard Tetris 99 mode places 99 competitors into a single match, with everyone clearing lines and sending garbage blocks to their chosen targets. Players can select opponents manually or use automatic targeting options based on factors such as attackers, badges and vulnerability. The final surviving competitor becomes the Tetris Maximus. Winning is certainly satisfying, but it isn’t required for the Splatoon Raiders reward. The event point structure ensures that players can make steady progress even when their matches end well before the final showdown.

### [](#the-crossover-continues-tetris-99s-themed-event-tradition)The crossover continues Tetris 99’s themed event tradition

The Splatoon Raiders collaboration is the latest entry in a long line of Maximus Cups inspired by Nintendo games. Tetris 99 has repeatedly used these events to celebrate releases from franchises such as Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, Kirby, Xenoblade Chronicles and Animal Crossing. Each collaboration places a different visual and musical identity over the same competitive puzzle foundation. It is a simple idea, yet it gives returning players a reason to revisit the game and expand their collections. Splatoon has appeared in previous Tetris 99 events as well, making the arrival of a Raiders theme feel like a continuation of an established relationship rather than a completely unexpected crossover. The 56th Maximus Cup also demonstrates the remarkable staying power of Tetris 99. Years after its original launch, the game continues receiving themed events connected to Nintendo’s newest releases. Few falling-block games can casually reinvent their atmosphere dozens of times without changing what makes them work.

#### [](#the-gameplay-trailer-previews-the-exclusive-reward)The gameplay trailer previews the exclusive reward

Nintendo has released a gameplay trailer showing how the Splatoon Raiders theme looks and sounds during a Tetris 99 match. The footage offers a closer look at the custom background artwork, interface details and redesigned Tetriminos that players can earn. It also demonstrates how the theme becomes more intense as the match progresses and the remaining number of competitors drops. This preview is useful because a Maximus Cup reward is more than a static menu image. Music, sound effects and visual changes accompany the player throughout each round, so seeing the design in motion provides a much clearer impression of the full package. Fans can use the trailer to decide whether the reward deserves an immediate place in their theme rotation. Judging by the colourful presentation, it should be difficult to mistake this design for anything other than Splatoon. Even the blocks appear ready to leap from the grid and start covering the arena in ink.

##### [](#conclusion)Conclusion

The Tetris 99 56th Maximus Cup offers Nintendo Switch players another approachable opportunity to earn a permanent crossover theme. By collecting 100 event points between August 7 and August 10 Pacific Time, participants can unlock artwork, music and Tetrimino designs based on Splatoon Raiders. Higher placements award more points, but consistent participation is enough to make progress towards the target. The limited event brings Splatoon’s energetic personality into one of Nintendo Switch Online’s most enduring competitive games without changing the familiar rules. Whether you are an experienced Tetris Maximus contender or someone who usually disappears beneath a mountain of garbage blocks, the reward remains achievable. Just remember to start collecting points before the event ends, because even the perfect long block cannot clear a missed deadline.

##### [](#faqs)FAQs

- **When does the Tetris 99 56th Maximus Cup begin?**
    - The event begins on August 7, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time. It starts later that morning for players in most European time zones.
- **How do you unlock the Splatoon Raiders theme?**
    - You must collect 100 event points by playing online matches in Tetris 99 mode during the limited event period.
- **Do you need to win a match to earn the theme?**
    - No. All eligible placements can award event points, although finishing higher provides more points and helps you reach the requirement faster.
- **What does the Splatoon Raiders theme include?**
    - The reward includes custom artwork, music and Tetrimino designs inspired by Splatoon Raiders for Nintendo Switch 2.
- **Is Nintendo Switch Online required for the event?**
    - Yes. An active Nintendo Switch Online membership and a Nintendo Account are required to access the online Tetris 99 mode used for the Maximus Cup.

##### [](#sources)Sources

- [Play the 56th MAXIMUS CUP Online Event or Catch Up on Past In-Game Collaborative Themes](https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/play-the-56th-maximus-cup-online-event-or-catch-up-on-past-in-game-collaborative-themes/), Nintendo, August 3, 2026
- [Disfruta la Quincuagésima Sexta Copa Maximus o Ponte al Día con Temas Anteriores](https://www.nintendo.com/es-pe/whatsnew/disfruta-la-quincuagesima-sexta-copa-maximus-o-ponte-al-dia-con-los-temas-colaborativos-anteriores-en-el-juego/), Nintendo, August 3, 2026
- [Participez à l’Événement en Ligne 56e Coupe Maximus](https://www.nintendo.com/fr-ca/whatsnew/participez-a-levenement-en-ligne-56e-coupe-maximus-et-redecouvrez-les-themes-de-collaboration-dans-le-jeu/), Nintendo, August 3, 2026
- [Splatoon Raiders Is Out Now! Hunt for Treasure in a Wild New Adventure](https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/splatoon-raiders-is-out-now-hunt-for-treasure-in-a-wild-new-single-player-adventure/), Nintendo, July 23, 2026
- [Splatoon Raiders Hits the Switch 2 in July](https://www.theverge.com/games/915655/splatoon-raiders-switch-2-release-date-trailer), The Verge, April 21, 2026

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