Nintendo Download: January 8, 2026

Official Nintendo Download Sweater Weather artwork featuring winter-themed Nintendo visuals, used as the feature image for the January 8, 2026 Nintendo Download.
Nintendo’s Sweater Weather artwork for this week’s Nintendo Download.

By Jon Scarr

This week’s Nintendo Download feels very seasonal. There are no big headline drops, but there is still plenty to look through, especially if you enjoy events or keeping an eye on new eShop releases.

The main focus this week is a new Tetris 99 MAXIMUS CUP tied to Animal Crossing: New Horizons, along with a list of new games across Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. 

Here is everything included in this week’s Nintendo Download.

Online Events

Tetris 99 51st MAXIMUS CUP

The 51st MAXIMUS CUP event is now live in Tetris 99, bringing new Animal Crossing: New Horizons themed content with it. Nintendo Switch Online members playing the online mode during the event can earn event points, and collecting 100 points unlocks a special theme with Animal Crossing-inspired art, music, and Tetrimino designs.

The event runs from January 8 at 11 p.m. PT to January 12 at 10:59 p.m. PT, so there is plenty of time to jump in. It is also a nice reminder that Animal Crossing: New Horizons is set to receive a new update on January 15.

Also New on Nintendo eShop

Nintendo Switch 2

  • Arcade Archives 2 SPACE INVADERS PART II
  • Suika Game Planet
  • Tomba! Special Edition

Nintendo Switch

  • A Planet of Mine MasterMine Edition – Available Jan. 13
  • AAA Games Ultimate Collection
  • Adventure Reborn
  • BattleTanks – Animal Wars – Available Jan. 14
  • Best of Upscale Studio Bundle: 5 in 1
  • Big Hops – Available Jan. 12
  • Biplanes – Available Jan. 12
  • Blablublas Battle Royale Shooter
  • Clothing Store Simulator
  • Construction Sim: City and Road Builder
  • Crayon Animal
  • Direction Quad – Available Jan. 14
  • Dunkirk – The Forgotten Soldier – Available Jan. 10
  • Geo IQ World Master
  • Go Kart Island – Available Jan. 9
  • Gray War Conflict
  • Hero Seekers
  • Hidden Cats in Istanbul
  • I Am Future: Cozy Apocalypse Survival
  • Jelly & Toast – Available Jan. 9
  • Lovely Spot the Difference Fantasy Edition
  • Mist
  • Mom Life Simulator
  • Need for Race Street King & Formula Auto Sport Racing Pack
  • Owlen and the Spirits of the Past
  • Pin Strike 2
  • Pool & Snooker Fever: 2 in 1 Bundle – Available Jan. 9
  • Pursuit
  • Sheriff Park Ranger – Available Jan. 13
  • Speedster’s Collection
  • SpotCat vs The Cheddar Mafia In The Americas
  • Sugoroku New Year’s Party
  • Temirana: The Lucky Princess and the Tragic Knights – Available Jan. 13
  • Tile Jong
  • ULTIMATE BATTLE SIMULATOR
  • Van Life: Home Simulator
  • Wander Scoop
  • Whiskers Warehouse – Logic Puzzle Game
  • Zumba – Marble Candy Rush

Wrapping Up This Week’s Nintendo Download

This week is not about big announcements. It is more about events and seeing what's new on the eShop. The Tetris 99 event gives Animal Crossing fans something fun to work toward, and the eShop list offers plenty of smaller games to browse if you are in the mood to try something new.

It is not a packed update, but it fits the time of year. Sometimes all you need is a good excuse to jump back in. 

Are you jumping into the MAXIMUS CUP, or just browsing the eShop this week?

About the author
Jon Scarr author photo

Jon Scarr

4ScarrsGaming Owner / Operator & Editor-in-Chief

Jon covers video game news, reviews, industry shifts, cloud gaming, plus movies, TV, and toys, with an eye on how entertainment fits into everyday life.

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