Category Archives: Game News

Grand Theft Auto VI — Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos, the two protagonists
Game News, News, Singapore Gaming Scene

GTA VI Pre-Orders Are Live — What Singapore Gamers Need to Know

Leave a comment

Grand Theft Auto VI pre-orders are now live — or going live today, 25 June — on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with Rockstar Games officially confirming a 19 November 2026 release date. If you have been counting down since Trailer 1 broke internet records in 2023, the time to lock in your copy is now.

Grand Theft Auto VI Trailer 2 — via Rockstar Games on YouTube

GTA VI Pre-Order Date and Platforms Confirmed

Rockstar Games confirmed via its official Newswire that pre-orders begin on 25 June 2026, opening across the PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, the Rockstar Games Launcher, and selected physical retailers globally. The game launches simultaneously on:

  • PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro
  • Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S

There is no PC version announced for 2026, and a Nintendo Switch 2 edition has not been confirmed. Rockstar historically brings GTA titles to PC 12–18 months after the console release, but no date has been given.

Which Editions Are Available?

GTA VI is available in at least two tiers: a Standard Edition and a Deluxe Edition, per the GamesRadar pre-order tracker. Rockstar has not officially published pricing as of writing — expect that to be confirmed in the storefront listings when pre-orders go fully live. If the pattern of GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2 holds, the Deluxe tier will likely bundle GTA Online in-game currency and exclusive cosmetics, but details are to be confirmed. We will update this article as soon as official pricing is published.

What Is GTA VI About?

Set across the fictional State of Leonida — built around a sun-drenched, neon-lit reimagining of Vice City — GTA VI follows two protagonists: Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos. Lucia is the first playable female lead in a mainline Grand Theft Auto game, a milestone Rockstar barely had to announce; it simply showed up in Trailer 1 and sent the internet into overdrive. The two are entangled in a criminal conspiracy that spans swamps, beaches, and gleaming high-rises — all rendered in stunning detail on PS5 hardware.

Trailer 2, released in May 2025, clocked more than 475 million views across platforms in its first 24 hours, making it one of the most-watched entertainment trailers in history. A third trailer is widely expected to accompany the pre-order launch.

Grand Theft Auto VI Vice City skyline screenshot
Image courtesy of Rockstar Games

How to Pre-Order GTA VI in Singapore

Singapore players have two main digital routes:

  • PS5: Open the PlayStation Store app or website (Singapore region) and search for Grand Theft Auto VI. SGD pricing will display once Rockstar confirms regional rates — to be confirmed.
  • Xbox: Head to the Microsoft Store on your Series X|S or the Xbox app and search GTA VI.

Physical pre-orders are expected at local gaming retailers such as GameXtreme and major electronics chains — check their websites and storefronts. Physical copies are worth watching for in Singapore, where store exclusives and launch-day bonuses can sometimes differ from digital.

For the latest gaming news including updates as GTA VI pricing and pre-order bonuses are confirmed, stay locked to GameTrader.SG.

Last words

GTA VI is the game Singapore has been waiting years for — and with pre-orders finally live and a November release less than five months away, the hype is entirely justified. Lock in your platform, set aside your budget, and refresh that PlayStation Store or Xbox dashboard. The State of Leonida is almost open for business.

Game News

Deltarune Chapter 5 Drops Tonight — The Field of Pink and Gold Out at 11pm SGT

Leave a comment

Toby Fox’s Deltarune Chapter 5: The Field of Pink and Gold is arriving tonight at 11pm SGT (11am EDT) — a free update for anyone who owns the existing Chapter 1–4 bundle. Singapore Switch 2 owners, clear some time this evening.

DELTARUNE – Nintendo Direct 6.9.2026 — via Nintendo of America on YouTube

Free for Owners Across Switch, Switch 2, PS5, and PC

Chapter 5 is a free update for players who have already purchased the Chapters 1–4 bundle, priced at USD$24.99 (check your regional storefront for local SGD pricing). The update rolls out automatically on:

  • Nintendo Switch & Nintendo Switch 2
  • PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 5
  • PC (Windows) and Mac

It is worth noting that Deltarune Chapters 1 and 2 have always been free to download separately on PC and Mac — so if you’ve been putting off trying the game, tonight is a genuinely good entry point before Chapter 5 adds even more story to catch up on.

What We Know About Chapter 5

Toby Fox has kept the specifics close to his chest. The Nintendo Direct reveal on 9 June gave us a glimpse of Kris, Susie, and Ralsei back in action — tackling new battles and exploring what looks like a temple setting. The new trailer showed an emotional moment where Ralsei enthusiastically declares his feelings for Susie in his characteristically endearing style, alongside a handful of new adversaries and returning faces. Nothing about the chapter title, “The Field of Pink and Gold,” has been explained — which is exactly how Toby Fox likes it.

Deltarune Chapter 5 key art thumbnail
Image courtesy of Toby Fox / tobyfox

Deltarune follows Kris in a parallel world called the Dark World, where they team up with classmate Susie and a mysterious being named Ralsei. Chapters 1 and 2 were released back in 2021, with Chapters 3 and 4 arriving together in 2024. The game is a spiritual successor to Undertale and shares its signature blend of RPG combat and emotionally charged storytelling.

Chapter 6 Is Already Ahead of Schedule

Toby Fox has confirmed that development on Chapter 6 is well ahead of where Chapter 5 was at the same stage. Work on Chapter 7 is reportedly set to begin before the end of 2026. That kind of momentum is a significant signal that the series is accelerating towards its conclusion — a pleasant contrast to the multi-year gaps between earlier chapters.

Last Words

For Singapore gamers, Chapter 5 hits tonight at 11pm SGT. If you’re on Nintendo Switch 2, it’s already in your library — just check the eShop for the update. If you’re on Steam or PSN Asia, expect it to appear right around midnight. Deltarune has been one of the most carefully crafted indie RPGs of the past decade, and “The Field of Pink and Gold” finally gets to tell us what happens next. Don’t stay up too late. Or do. Check out more game news on GameTrader for everything else landing this week.

Game News

EMPULSE Launches in Early Access Today — 1047 Games’ No-Battle-Pass Movement Shooter

Leave a comment

The team behind Splitgate is back. 1047 Games has just launched EMPULSE in Early Access — a 6v6 movement shooter built around wall-running, grapple hooks, and one genuinely refreshing promise: no battle pass, no paid cosmetics, no microtransactions at launch. It is out right now on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

EMPULSE — 1047 Games early access movement shooter 2026
Image courtesy of 1047 Games

What Is EMPULSE?

EMPULSE is set in the post-utopian streets of the Freehold district, and puts two teams of six against each other with movement as the central mechanic. The game lets players wallrun forwards and backwards, swing across maps on grapple hooks, launch off Holojumps, and reshape the environment using P.A.I.N.T. Bombs — tactical paint that can create jump-boost pads, speed strips, explosive patches, or healing zones depending on the type you throw.

Controllable mechs also spawn on the map during matches. These come armed with chainguns, rockets, and shield abilities, and they can shift momentum dramatically if a team holds one long enough. Cross-platform multiplayer is supported at launch, so PS5 and PC players share the same pool.

The No-Monetisation Promise

1047 Games have been direct about one thing: “No store, no battle pass, no microtransactions at Early Access launch.” All cosmetics are earned through gameplay rather than purchased. The studio has also described a community-driven roadmap — meaning player feedback gathered through Discord and surveys shapes the development direction, rather than pre-set seasonal schedules locked in months ahead.

Note the qualifier: this is the policy at Early Access launch, not an indefinite pledge. But for a competitive multiplayer title releasing in mid-2026, starting clean stands out. Watch for updates as the game moves toward full launch.

How to Play From Singapore

EMPULSE is available globally starting today:

  • PS5 — PlayStation Store (search EMPULSE)
  • Xbox Series X|S — Microsoft Store
  • PC — Steam

The Early Access price is USD 19.99. SGD pricing on the Singapore PlayStation Store and Steam SG storefront may differ — check your regional store at checkout. PC players who tried the free Steam Next Fest demo earlier this month will upgrade to the full game with their progress carried over.

About 1047 Games

1047 Games built Splitgate, the portal-based shooter that broke records during its viral summer in 2021. EMPULSE is their next game: same commitment to skill-expressive movement, different mechanics — portals are out, and vertical movement mastery is in. The studio has leaned heavily on community communication throughout development, positioning EMPULSE as a game they intend to build alongside its players during Early Access.

For more new game releases and PC and console gaming coverage, head to our Game News section.

Last Words

Singapore’s PC gaming scene loves a movement shooter, and EMPULSE is the freshest thing in that space right now. If Titanfall 2 left a gap in your rotation, this is worth trying today — USD 19.99, no subscriptions, no gotchas at launch.

Game News

Arc System Works Showcase 2026 — Singapore FGC Preview

Leave a comment

Arc System Works is dropping its annual Showcase 2026 tomorrow morning, and for Singapore’s fighting game community, this is appointment viewing. The broadcast goes live at 5:00 AM SGT on Thursday, 25 June — early, yes, but ArcSys showcases have a habit of delivering the kind of reveals you do not want to hear about second-hand.

ARC SYSTEM WORKS Showcase 2026 – June 24th — via Arc System Works America on YouTube

What Is the Arc System Works Showcase 2026?

Arc System Works uses its annual showcase to drop the biggest news across its entire catalogue — new DLC characters, balance updates, and the occasional full game reveal — in one concentrated broadcast. This year’s edition airs simultaneously across two streams on Wednesday, 24 June at 2:00 PM PT (5:00 PM ET), which converts to Thursday, 25 June at 5:00 AM SGT:

ArcSys has kept the line-up tightly under wraps, describing the event only as featuring “the latest information on a variety of titles developed and published by Arc System Works.” Classic ArcSys energy — they let the surprise do the talking.

What Could Be Announced?

Without confirmed slots, these are the titles most likely to feature based on their current active status:

  • Guilty Gear -STRIVE- — The flagship anime fighter has received multiple seasons of DLC characters and ongoing updates since its 2021 launch. A new season reveal here would be no surprise at all.
  • Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising — ArcSys’s 2023 crossover fighter has been steadily expanding its roster; more Granblue characters are always in play.
  • Dragon Ball FighterZ — ArcSys’s most broadly popular title. Any announcement here makes instant headlines worldwide.
  • Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes — The deeper cut for hardcore 2D fighting game fans who have been waiting on news.
  • A new game reveal — Last year’s showcase unveiled Demon & Baby, a new action project from director Isao Shibuya. At least one new title announcement feels like a safe bet.

Treat that list as informed speculation rather than confirmed slots. ArcSys has a strong record of announcing things nobody saw coming.

Arc System Works Showcase 2026 key art
Image courtesy of Arc System Works

How to Watch From Singapore

Both streams go live at 5:00 AM SGT on Thursday, 25 June. Hit the notification bell on the English stream page now so YouTube alerts you the moment it goes live.

Not a fan of early alarms? The broadcast will be available as a VOD on both channels once it ends, so you can catch everything at a more civilised hour — just be careful with social media until you do, because something is almost certainly going to make noise.

Why This Matters for Singapore’s FGC

Arc System Works titles are a cornerstone of the local fighting game scene. Guilty Gear -STRIVE- is a regular fixture at FGC events across Singapore and Southeast Asia, and Dragon Ball FighterZ consistently draws some of the biggest casual player turnout in the region. Whatever drops at Showcase 2026 — a fresh season of characters, a surprise new IP, a port announcement — will land right in the middle of an active, hungry local community.

For more local gaming events and FGC coverage, check our events page.

Last Words

5 AM on a Thursday is a hard ask, but ArcSys showcases earn the early alarm. Set your notification on the YouTube stream now, and we will be back with full coverage of every announcement once the dust settles Thursday morning.

Game News

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 Shows Off West City in Latest Trailer

Leave a comment

Bandai Namco Entertainment dropped the Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 “Welcome to West City” trailer on 23 June, and it is the clearest look yet at the first mainline Xenoverse in nearly a decade. New characters, a new setting, and two reworked combat systems — this is the update Dragon Ball fans have been waiting for.

DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE 3 – Welcome to West City Trailer — via Bandai Namco Entertainment America on YouTube

Welcome to West City — Ten Years On in the Dragon Ball Timeline

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 is set in AGE 1000, a full decade after the events of Xenoverse 2. The hub this time is West City — home of Capsule Corporation — and more specifically West City University, where players are recruited into the Great Saiya Squad by Bulma and Gamma 1.

Alongside those returning faces, four original characters are making their franchise debut: Brett, Lilica, ROM, and Tap. As ever, you create and customise your own protagonist, and these new characters slot into the wider story around your player character. Developer Dimps describes this as “a bold new chapter for the franchise” built on the world Akira Toriyama created.

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 West City key art banner
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco Entertainment

Soul Assist and Soul Switch — The Two Systems That Could Define Xenoverse 3

The trailer puts heavy emphasis on two new gameplay pillars:

  • Soul Assist: Call in a Dragon Ball universe ally mid-battle to unleash a combined attack alongside your character. Think tag-team energy without handing over control.
  • Soul Switch: Temporarily channel the soul of an iconic Dragon Ball fighter — Krillin, Piccolo, Vegeta, Future Trunks, and Tien are confirmed so far — borrowing their signature moves and abilities for a limited window.

Both systems look designed to bring legendary roster members into your fight without replacing your custom character, which is a smart middle ground. Race choice also matters: Saiyans can still power up into Super Saiyan forms, while other races like Earthlings bring their own distinct playstyle. High-speed aerial combat and Ki attacks remain the bedrock of the action.

Platforms and What Singapore Players Need to Know

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 is confirmed for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. There is no Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 version announced at this stage. The release window is 2027 — no specific date or pricing has been confirmed yet.

Singapore players should have no trouble at launch: the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions will be available through the standard regional PlayStation and Xbox digital stores, and the Steam release is global. If you missed the earlier Xenoverse entries, both are widely available and worth playing ahead of this one — check our game news coverage for more upcoming 2027 releases.

Last Words

Dragon Ball has consistently packed out booths at Anime Festival Asia Singapore every year, and the Xenoverse series has a loyal local following in both the fighting-game and JRPG communities here. Xenoverse 3 looks genuinely ambitious — the new Soul systems, a fresh timeline, and original characters suggest Dimps is not just iterating but expanding the formula. 2027 feels far away right now, but this trailer has done its job. Watch this space for release date and pricing news as it drops.

Game News, Shop and Merchandise

Mega Rayquaza Returns to the Pokémon TCG — Storm Emeralda Drops 31 July in Japan

Leave a comment

Mega Rayquaza is coming back to the Pokémon Trading Card Game in a big way. The Pokémon Company has officially announced Storm Emeralda (ストームエメラルダ), the next expansion pack in the Pokémon Card Game MEGA product line, and it puts one of the franchise’s most iconic Legendaries front and centre.

【公式】「ポケモンカードゲーム」『ポケポケ』にメガレックウザ登場！ — via ポケモン公式YouTubeチャンネル on YouTube

What Is Storm Emeralda?

Storm Emeralda is the latest expansion in the Pokémon Card Game MEGA series — Japan’s current product line that brings Mega Evolution mechanics back to the physical TCG. The set releases in Japan on 31 July 2026 and features Mega Rayquaza ex (メガレックウザex) as its headline card, bringing the Sky High Pokémon into the modern Pokémon Card Game era.

Each booster pack contains 5 cards at ¥200 (tax included), with the full set spanning 76+ card types. Alongside the main expansion, three Mega Starter Sets also launch on 31 July, each built around a fan-favourite Pokémon:

  • Sprigatito & Meowscarada ex Mega Starter Set
  • Eevee ex Mega Starter Set
  • Zorua & Zoroark ex Mega Starter Set
Storm Emeralda official key visual featuring Mega Rayquaza
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

The Summer Campaign: Mega Rayquaza Soaring Through the Sky

The launch is part of a wider summer campaign called 宙駆けるメガレックウザ (“Mega Rayquaza Soaring Through the Sky”), where The Pokémon Company plans for fans to encounter Mega Rayquaza at various locations across Japan this summer. Campaign details and venue listings are up on the official campaign site (Japanese).

Pokémon TCG Pocket Gets Mega Rayquaza Too

If you play Pokémon TCG Pocket on mobile, good news: Mega Rayquaza is landing there as well. The expansion 天空の支配者 (“Ruler of the Sky”) adds Mega Rayquaza to the app on 30 July 2026, one day before the physical set drops in Japan. Both launches are tied to the same Mega Rayquaza campaign.

Mega Rayquaza official illustration from The Pokemon Company
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

When Can Singapore Fans Get Storm Emeralda?

No Singapore retail date has been confirmed, but the international rollout currently looks like this:

  • 30 July 2026 — Pokémon TCG Pocket “Ruler of the Sky” expansion (global app)
  • 31 July 2026 — Japan physical release (¥200/pack, importable)
  • 7 August 2026 — Taiwan and Hong Kong regional release
  • 6 November 2026 — English release as Pokémon TCG: Delta Reign

Singapore TCG players who want Japanese booster boxes early can expect local import stores and online sellers to stock them within a couple of weeks of the Japan launch. The English Delta Reign set will be the competitive-legal version for most local tournaments and typically carries a Singapore retail price — watch for pre-orders from local card shops closer to November.

You can check out more Pokémon TCG news and shop and merch updates on the blog.

Last Words

Mega Rayquaza holds a special place in the Pokémon fandom — its Ruby and Sapphire lore, dramatic Mega Evolution design, and years of competitive dominance make it one of those Legendaries that never really goes out of style. Storm Emeralda gives Singapore collectors three months’ notice before the English Delta Reign lands, which is plenty of time to decide whether to hunt Japanese boxes or wait for the English set. Either way, the Mega Starter Sets (Meowscarada, Eevee, Zoroark) look like a smart entry point for newer players joining for the hype. Keep an eye on local card shops — pre-orders for import boxes tend to go fast.

Game News, News

Sonic Frontiers: Definitive Edition Is Out Now on Switch 2 — Every Bit of DLC Included

Leave a comment

SEGA shadow-dropped Sonic Frontiers: Definitive Edition on Nintendo Switch 2 today — perfectly timed to Sonic the Hedgehog’s 35th anniversary — and it is the most complete version of the 2022 open-world adventure yet. Singapore fans with a Switch 2 can pick it up right now on the eShop or as a physical game-key card.

Sonic Frontiers Definitive Edition – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition – Launch Trailer — via Sonic the Hedgehog on YouTube

What Is Sonic Frontiers: Definitive Edition?

Sonic Frontiers launched in November 2022 as Sonic’s first fully open-world game, sending the blue blur across the mysterious Starfall Islands to rescue his friends. It received a string of free updates and paid DLC after launch. The Definitive Edition bundles all of that into one package, with Switch 2-specific visual and performance upgrades on top. As SEGA put it when announcing the release: “Journey across the Starfall Islands, now with improved graphics and performance, as you uncover the islands’ secrets and save Sonic’s friends.”

Everything That’s in the Box

The Definitive Edition packs a lot in for a single purchase:

  • Sonic Frontiers base game — the full open-world adventure across five islands
  • “The Final Horizon” story DLC — the biggest expansion, adding playable Tails, Knuckles, and Amy alongside a new ending
  • “Sonic’s Birthday Bash” content update
  • “Sights, Sounds, and Speed” content update
  • Explorer’s Treasure Box in-game items
  • Monster Hunter Collaboration Pack cosmetics
  • Sonic Adventure 2 Shoes cosmetic
  • Holiday Cheer Suit cosmetic
  • Digital artbook and mini soundtrack

Switch 2 Upgrades: Quality and Performance Modes

Unlike a straight port, the Definitive Edition takes advantage of Switch 2 hardware. Players can choose between a Quality Mode (higher resolution, better visuals) and a Performance Mode (smoother frame rate). SEGA and Nintendo have not released the exact specs, but both modes deliver noticeable improvements over the original Switch version in graphics and loading times. Save data can also be transferred from the Switch 1 version, so returning players pick up right where they left off.

No Upgrade Path — Existing Owners Pay Full Price

Here is the sting: if you already own Sonic Frontiers on the original Nintendo Switch, there is no discounted upgrade path to the Switch 2 Definitive Edition. You will need to purchase the Definitive Edition at the full US$49.99 price again. SEGA has not commented publicly on the decision. For those who are new to the game, that price includes everything listed above — solid value. For longtime fans, it is a tougher ask.

How to Get It in Singapore

Sonic Frontiers: Definitive Edition is available now on the Nintendo eShop for Switch 2 at US$49.99. SGD pricing on the Singapore eShop is to be confirmed — check the Nintendo Singapore site for the local listing. A physical game-key card edition is also available at retail, if you prefer a box on your shelf.

If you missed Sonic Frontiers the first time around, or held off waiting for a more complete edition, this is it. Check out our roundup of other Switch 2 launches for more on what’s hit the console this month.

Last words

A 35th-anniversary shadow drop is pure SEGA energy, and Singapore gamers on Switch 2 get the definitive version of one of Sonic’s most ambitious outings right now. The no-upgrade policy will sting returning players, but for newcomers this is a complete package at a fair price. Grab it from the eShop or look for the game-key card at your local game store.

Game News

Jirachi Is Now in Pokémon Pokopia — Catch the Tanabata Event Before 8 July

Leave a comment

The Wish Pokémon has finally made its Pokémon Pokopia debut — and it arrives bearing a classic piece of Japanese culture that Singapore fans will recognise immediately.

The Wish Upon a Jirachi event is now live in Pokémon Pokopia on Nintendo Switch 2, starting today, 23 June 2026, and running until 8 July at 4:59 a.m. local time. During the event, Jirachi appears at a rebuilt Pokémon Center in your town, kicking off a limited-time quest tied to Japan’s beloved Tanabata (七夕) star festival tradition — the same one where people write wishes on colourful tanzaku papers and hang them from bamboo every 7 July.

What Is the Wish Upon a Jirachi Event in Pokémon Pokopia?

Jirachi arrives at a Pokémon Center in Pokémon Pokopia for the Tanabata event
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company / Nintendo

The event’s full Japanese name is ジラーチのキラキラたんざくあつめ — roughly, “Jirachi’s Sparkling Tanzaku Collection.” Tanzaku are the small paper strips people write wishes on during Tanabata, and the event leans into that theme throughout its quest structure and rewards. It wraps up just before 7 July, giving it a natural Tanabata cadence.

Mechanically, Jirachi hands you a recipe for Wish Notes (the Pokopia take on tanzaku). Craft them at a workbench, then fulfil requests from the Pokémon living in your town. Each completed request transforms a Wish Note into a Sparkling Wish Note, which you exchange with Jirachi for exclusive star-themed furniture. According to Nintendo’s official event page and Famitsu (Japanese), the event is available in standard towns and shared multiplayer “fresh towns,” but not on Cloud Islands.

How to Unlock Jirachi in Your Town

A few things need to be in order before Jirachi will show up:

  • Update Pokémon Pokopia to version 1.1.0
  • Complete the main “important wish” story quest
  • Rebuild at least one Pokémon Center in your town
  • Launch the game while connected to the internet (the event uses real-world date authentication)
  • Make sure your Nintendo Switch 2 clock is set to the actual current time

The good news: once you befriend Jirachi before the event closes, it stays in your town permanently even after 8 July.

All the Star-Themed Furniture Up for Grabs

Each Sparkling Wish Note unlocks one furniture piece. The full event reward set is:

  • Star closet
  • Starry-sky bed
  • Cloud table
  • Jirachi Lamp
  • Moon clock
  • Star mat
  • Star wall decoration
  • Telescope
  • Cloud cannon

Placing the star closet, starry-sky bed, cloud table, and Jirachi Lamp together unlocks the “Surrounded by Stars” habitat bonus — note that the Jirachi Lamp needs an electricity connection to complete it.

Also: A Nintendo Switch 2 + Pokopia Bundle Drops on 2 July

Separately, Nintendo has a Nintendo Switch 2 bundle that includes a digital copy of Pokémon Pokopia launching on 2 July 2026. If you have been waiting to pick up the console, that is well-timed — though you will need to move quickly to rebuild your Pokémon Center and catch Jirachi before the 8 July deadline. Check local retailers for SGD pricing.

Last Words

Tanabata is one of Japan’s most loved seasonal traditions, and it is a familiar one for Singapore fans of Japanese culture — from department store decorations to Japanese school events. Seeing it woven into Pokémon Pokopia’s first post-launch limited event adds a lovely layer of meaning for SG players who grew up with both Pokémon and Japanese seasonal customs. The event is live now and runs until 8 July — make your wishes count. Check out more game news on GameTrader.

Game News

Rhythm Heaven Groove Demo Is Live on Switch — Grab It Free Before the 2 July Launch

Leave a comment

Nintendo quietly pushed the Rhythm Heaven Groove: Starter Demo to the Switch eShop today — and Singapore players can grab it for free right now. With the full game landing on 2 July 2026, this is your chance to try before you buy.

Rhythm Heaven Groove – Overview Trailer – via Nintendo of America on YouTube

Two Minigames to Try Right Now

The Starter Demo includes two playable minigames from the full game. Hoop Trundling is a single-player challenge where you roll a hoop in time with the beat, while Rhythm Tweezers opens up local multiplayer fun for up to four players. Neither is the most complex minigame in the series, but they nail the essential Rhythm Heaven feel — simple controls, deceptively tight timing, a smile on your face when you nail it.

To grab it: open the Nintendo Switch eShop, search for “Rhythm Heaven Groove,” and download the free Starter Demo. Note that save data does not carry over to the full game.

Rhythm Heaven Groove Hoop Trundling minigame screenshot
Image courtesy of Nintendo

What the Full Rhythm Heaven Groove Contains

When the full game arrives on 2 July, it packs over 80 single-player rhythm minigames and 30 cooperative multiplayer minigames — a bigger scope than any previous entry. There is also a brand-new mode called Beatspell, a rhythm RPG that marks the first time the franchise has ventured into story-driven territory. The original soundtrack is composed by Tsunku♪, who returns to the series after more than a decade.

Rhythm Heaven Groove gameplay
Image courtesy of Nintendo

The Story Behind the Soundtrack

Rhythm Heaven Groove is scored entirely by Tsunku♪ — and that fact carries more weight than it might seem. In 2014, he was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer; by 2015, he had lost his vocal cords. He composed the soundtrack for this game completely without his voice, channelling his sense of rhythm and melody into every track. It is, by any measure, a remarkable creative return.

Price and Availability for Singapore

Rhythm Heaven Groove is priced at US$39.99, comfortably below the US$59.99 many first-party Nintendo titles command — the same price surprise that drew attention when it was revealed in April. Both digital and physical copies launch at the same price. SGD pricing on the Singapore eShop is yet to be confirmed; based on typical regional conversion, expect somewhere around S$55–60. We will update when official SGD pricing appears.

The game is compatible with both the original Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 via backwards compatibility. Check out our latest game news for more on what is landing on Switch this July.

Last words

This is one of the cleanest “try before you buy” setups Nintendo has done in a while. The demo is short, free, and gives a real feel for whether the rhythm click works for you. If you have a Switch, there is no reason not to download it this evening — and if it does click, the full game at that price point on 2 July is one of the better-value Nintendo launches of 2026.