New titles, Contra Comics, and SDCC Activations Lead This Week in Video Games

July 23, 2026 - 18:37

This week in video games brought a flurry of announcements, headlined by a packed Nintendo Direct showcase. The presentation delivered fresh looks at highly anticipated titles, including a new entry in the "Metroid" franchise and a surprise reveal for "The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom." Nintendo also confirmed release dates for "Mario & Luigi: Brothership" and a remake of "Donkey Kong Country Returns," giving fans a clear roadmap for the rest of the year.

Beyond Nintendo, Konami stirred excitement by teasing a new "Contra" game, promising a return to the series' classic run-and-gun roots with modern visuals. Bandai Namco followed suit with updates on its upcoming anime adaptations, including new gameplay footage for "Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO" and a release window for the next "Tales of" title.

Meanwhile, the gaming industry turned its attention to San Diego Comic-Con, where several publishers set up major activations. Nex Playground debuted a hands-on demo of its family-friendly motion-control platform, while indie developers showcased upcoming titles in the convention's gaming pavilion. Sony also made waves by announcing a limited-edition "Astro Bot" controller, tying into the upcoming platformer's release.

With major announcements from multiple publishers and a packed convention schedule, this week underscored the industry's momentum heading into the fall season. Fans now have a clearer picture of what to expect in the coming months, from long-awaited sequels to fresh IPs.