Games to Play This July 4th Weekend: Rhythm, RPG, Cozy, and More

With summer weekends turning into a mix of fireworks, heat, and long gaming sessions, this July 4th stretch is also a reminder that the best releases don’t always match the holiday theme. Instead, this weekend’s lineup leans into variety: a fresh rhythm hit on Switch, a new Deltarune chapter built around a town festival, a cozy-anxiety story from Davey Wreden, and even a tabletop adventure inspired by giant-beast classics.

Rhythm Heaven Groove: a Switch rhythm game built to spread

Rhythm Heaven Groove is out now, and it arrives as a standout addition for Switch players looking for something light, goofy, and instantly engaging. The game is positioned as a particularly strong entry for the platform, and its core appeal is how quickly it pulls you into its music-and-mischief loop. Beyond the mechanics, the series has a knack for memorable visuals and oddball text, including recurring “bizarre” art moments that players can easily clip and share.

Even if Groove isn’t framed as the top favorite within the Rhythm Heaven lineup, it’s still described as strong enough to earn a permanent spot on a Switch hard drive. The bigger hope is that Groove’s shareable nature—supported by how easy it is to capture clips and screenshots on Switch—could finally push the series into broader online meme territory.

Deltarune Chapter 5: The Festival brings twists, mixed media, and dread

For fans tracking Toby Fox’s Undertale-adjacent sequel, Deltarune Chapter 5: The Festival delivers the kind of “holiday feeling” that comes with every new installment. The chapter’s focus on a town festival sets an immediate tone, and early play is described as fast-paced in the best way—already prompting big reactions, laughs, and genuine astonishment.

Chapter 5 also leans into the series’ tradition of curve balls: mixed-media presentation and sudden genre shifts are used to keep players off-balance. Underneath the surprises is a slow-building unease as darker forces make moves around town, adding tension to the festival atmosphere. While the full conclusion is still some time away, the chapter is framed as a strong continuation of the story’s momentum.

Wanderstop on Switch and Switch 2: cozy genre, sharper purpose

Wanderstop, originally released in 2025, comes from Davey Wreden—the creator behind The Stanley Parable and The Beginner’s Guide. Those past works are summarized around the idea of examining what it means to play and to make choices. Wanderstop keeps that reflective streak, but packages it in a more direct structure.

You play as Alta, a former adventurer/warrior trying to manage a new life centered on running a tea shop—specifically as a way to cope with overwhelming anxiety. The story is described as pensive, funny, and surprising, and it uses familiar genre conventions to support its themes rather than hiding behind them. As of June 23, it’s available on Switch and Switch 2, and it’s recommended even for players who don’t usually gravitate toward cozy games.

One additional note for the curious: the studio Ivy Road, which created Wanderstop, has been shuttered. That doesn’t change what’s already here, but it does make Wanderstop feel like a more singular experience now.

Tabletop pick: Leviathan Wilds turns giant-climb fantasy into a shared session

If you want a weekend activity that’s not limited to a screen, Leviathan Wilds is a cooperative or solo tabletop game built around climbing gigantic creatures. The objective is straightforward but dramatic: work together to destroy corrupting crystals that make the creatures dangerous, and save them in the process.

Each session uses an open-page spread from a spiral-bound book, meaning every play confronts a different creature and set of challenges. At the start of each round, players pull cards that telegraph what the creature will do and how it might attack. Turns involve sliding, climbing, resting, and using powers to push through the mission.

The pitch here is clear: beautiful art, strong theming, and turn-to-turn choices that create real decision pressure. Designer Justin Kemppainen’s approach is presented as clever enough that it could become a staple for gaming groups.

Key points

• Rhythm Heaven Groove is out now and built for easy sharing on Switch—great for quick sessions and clips.
• Deltarune Chapter 5: The Festival centers on a town festival while leaning into mixed media and genre shifts.
• Wanderstop is available on Switch and Switch 2, pairing cozy gameplay with story themes about anxiety and acceptance.
• Leviathan Wilds brings a giant-creature climb-and-climb-again adventure to tabletop, with a fresh creature each session.

Confirmed weekend modes and availability

Expert View

Taken together, these picks highlight a market split that still rewards players who chase variety: handheld-friendly rhythm games that are naturally clip-able, narrative RPG chapters that treat each release like an event, and “cozy” experiences that use genre comfort to deliver sharper emotional themes. Even the tabletop recommendation points to the same trend—interactive experiences are expanding beyond traditional genres and platforms, and communities seem ready to follow when the content is distinctive enough to share.