Splatoon Raiders is now available exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. Released on July 23, 2026, Nintendo’s first Splatoon spin-off replaces the series’ traditional competitive focus with a treasure-hunting adventure built mainly around solo play, character upgrades, mechanical gadgets and battles against large groups of Salmonids.
Players take control of a customizable character known as the Mechanic and work alongside Deep Cut, Shiver, Frye and Big Man to explore the mysterious Spirhalite Islands. Although the main campaign has been designed primarily as a single-player experience, players can also invite up to three others to help through online play or local wireless multiplayer.
Splatoon Raiders Quick Facts
- Release date: July 23, 2026
- Platform: Nintendo Switch 2
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Genre: Third-person action shooter and treasure-hunting adventure
- Main mode: Single-player-focused campaign
- Multiplayer: Two to four players through online or local wireless play
- Single-system players: One
- File size: 13.1 GB
- U.S. regular price: $49.99
- ESRB rating: Fantasy Violence
- Online requirement: Nintendo Switch Online membership and a Nintendo Account are required for online features
Nintendo confirms that the game supports TV, tabletop and handheld play, as well as cloud saves, amiibo functionality, HDR output on compatible televisions and family-group game lending.
What Is Splatoon Raiders?
Splatoon Raiders is the first dedicated spin-off in Nintendo’s Splatoon franchise. Instead of centering the experience on competitive Turf War matches, the game sends players on expeditions where they fight Salmonids, collect salvage, search for rare treasure and improve their equipment between missions.
The core Splatoon movement remains familiar. Players fire ink, cover surfaces, swim through their own ink and rapidly move between combat and traversal. However, Raiders expands these actions with mechanical gadgets, upgradeable ink tanks, collectible weapon variations and a mission-based progression system.
Nintendo producer Seita Inoue explained that the project was developed as a spin-off rather than Splatoon 4 because the team wanted to turn the franchise’s non-competitive elements into a complete standalone game. Director Yoshihiko Ito said the original concept grew from experiments involving a single-player version of the Salmon Run formula.
What Is the Story of Splatoon Raiders?
The story begins when a strange storm forces the helicopter carrying Deep Cut and the Mechanic to make an emergency landing on the Spirhalite Islands.
After spending approximately one month building a floating base called the Hideout Ship, the group begins exploring nearby islands. Their mission has three main objectives: locate the rumored treasure that brought them to the region, uncover the mystery surrounding the islands and find a way back home.
The Spirhalite Islands are geographically separated from the urban locations seen in earlier Splatoon games. Nintendo’s developers designed the remote setting to create a different atmosphere, with beaches, grassy landscapes, mountains, lava-filled areas and underground dungeons. The improved processing and graphical capabilities of Nintendo Switch 2 also allowed the team to create more natural and organic environments than those found in previous entries.
Players can also discover documents containing additional information about Deep Cut and its history. Nintendo says these story details are intended to help both returning fans and people who have not played Splatoon 3 understand the trio more clearly.
How Does Splatoon Raiders Gameplay Work?
The main gameplay loop can be summarized in four steps:
Explore, fight, collect, and upgrade.
Players select a destination and begin a raid across one of the islands. During an expedition, they fight groups of Salmonids, recover salvage, collect weapons and search for valuable Spirhalite fragments or relics.
The recovered materials can then be brought back to the Hideout Ship. Players can use these resources to improve weapons, customize gadgets, strengthen ink tanks and upgrade the floating base itself. Better equipment prepares the Mechanic for more difficult enemies and more valuable treasure on later expeditions.
This creates a progression system in which both the character and the available equipment become more powerful over time. The developers described the intended experience as “pleasantly busy,” requiring players to switch rapidly between weapons and gadgets while responding to large numbers of enemies.
Weapons, Ink Tanks and Gadgets
Splatoon Raiders includes 11 weapon categories and more than 100 weapon variations to discover. Weapon variations can provide different advantages, such as improved firing range or better ink efficiency. Weapons also become more powerful as their levels increase.
Players can choose from three main ink-tank styles:
Power Tank
The Power Tank is designed for players who want to confront Salmonids directly. Its gadgets emphasize heavy attacks, armor-breaking power and crowd damage.
Speed Tank
The Speed Tank focuses on mobility. Its gadgets can help the player jump, move quickly or escape dangerous situations before enemies can surround them.
Tactical Tank
The Tactical Tank is intended for players who prefer controlling the battlefield. It supports deployable tools and gadgets that can attack approaching enemies or create strategic advantages.
Each tank has its own compatible gadgets and Relic Powers. Players also earn Skill Points as they progress, allowing them to strengthen and further customize their selected tank.
The developers initially experimented with a defensive system built around placing traps and waiting for Salmonids to attack. However, they abandoned that direction because it did not feel active enough for a Splatoon game. The final gadget system instead encourages players to remain in motion and combine weapons with two equipped gadgets.
How Deep Cut Helps During Missions
The Mechanic does not explore completely alone. One member of Deep Cut accompanies the player during each raid inside a machine known as the Exploration Bot.
The Exploration Bot can assist in combat, search or drill for useful items and help the Mechanic reach higher areas. Each Deep Cut member also has a unique Showstopper ability:
- Shiver – Shark Bite: Summons Master Mega for a powerful charging attack.
- Frye – Moray Storm: Releases a large group of moray eels across a wide area.
- Big Man – Manta Dance: Allows the player to ride an invincible Big Man while firing ink at enemies.
These companion abilities can be activated after collecting the required Power Eggs during a mission.
Salmonids and Island Environments
The Spirhalite Islands are occupied by several types of Salmonids. Smaller Salmonids attack in large groups, while Boss Salmonids introduce different combat challenges. Players who explore deeper areas may also encounter stronger enemies called Seasoned Salmonids.
The islands contain several distinct environments, including tropical beaches, grass-covered terrain, volcanic mountain regions and underground dungeons. Nintendo has also teased a possible connection between the islands and an ancient Salmonid civilization, making the history of the location part of the game’s central mystery.
Is Splatoon Raiders a Multiplayer Game?
Splatoon Raiders is primarily designed as a solo adventure, but it includes optional cooperative multiplayer.
Up to four players can participate through online play or local wireless communication. A player can call for assistance before beginning a hunt, while another player can join temporarily to help complete the mission. Players who successfully answer a request for help may receive weapons, gadget components or other materials as a Help Bonus.
Multiplayer does not support four people playing together on a single Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo lists one player for a single console and two to four players for online or local wireless play. Additional systems and copies of the game may therefore be required for local wireless multiplayer. Online play requires an active Nintendo Switch Online membership.
Nintendo also says the game automatically adjusts player strength during cooperative sessions, helping players at different progression levels participate together.
Difficulty Options
Splatoon Raiders includes three difficulty settings:
- Tourist
- Treasure Hunter
- Survivor
Players can change the difficulty setting at any time. The selected difficulty changes combat challenge but does not reduce or increase the amount of treasure earned from a mission.
This system should make it easier for newcomers to begin at a comfortable level while still giving experienced Splatoon players a more demanding option.
Does Splatoon Raiders Support amiibo?
Splatoon Raiders supports compatible figures from the Splatoon amiibo series. Scanning a supported amiibo can unlock additional outfits for the Mechanic.
Nintendo also released new Shiver, Frye and Big Man amiibo featuring their Splatoon Raiders appearances on July 23, 2026, alongside the game.
Is Splatoon Raiders the Same as Splatoon 4?
No. Splatoon Raiders is a spin-off and is not Splatoon 4.
Nintendo’s developers said they chose the spin-off format because the game focuses on non-competitive, single-player action rather than replacing the series’ main competitive formula. Producer Seita Inoue also stated that Nintendo intends to continue developing competitive Splatoon gameplay in the future.
Who Is Splatoon Raiders For?
Based on its officially confirmed features, Splatoon Raiders is most likely to appeal to:
- Splatoon fans who want more story and character development
- Players who enjoy Salmon Run but want a solo-focused experience
- Fans of mission-based games with loot and equipment upgrades
- Nintendo Switch 2 owners looking for cooperative action
- New players who prefer a non-competitive introduction to Splatoon
Players mainly interested in traditional Turf War or ranked player-versus-player modes should remember that Nintendo presents Raiders as a separate, single-player-focused adventure rather than a replacement for the competitive Splatoon series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When was Splatoon Raiders released?
Splatoon Raiders was released worldwide for Nintendo Switch 2 on July 23, 2026.
Q2. Is Splatoon Raiders available on the original Nintendo Switch?
No. Splatoon Raiders is exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2 and is not listed for the original Nintendo Switch.
Q3. Can Splatoon Raiders be played offline?
The main single-player campaign can be played by one person. Online cooperative features require internet access, a Nintendo Account and a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
Q4. How many people can play Splatoon Raiders?
One person can play on a single console. Online and local wireless multiplayer support between two and four players.
Q5. What is the Splatoon Raiders file size?
Nintendo lists the digital download size as 13.1 GB. Players should leave additional free storage space for future updates or save data.
Q6. How much does Splatoon Raiders cost?
Nintendo lists the game’s regular U.S. price as $49.99. The final price may differ by country, retailer, edition, taxes or temporary promotions.
Q7. Is Splatoon Raiders a review?
This article is a factual game overview based on Nintendo’s official product information, launch materials and developer interviews. It does not claim hands-on testing and should not be interpreted as a scored review.
Final Takeaway
Splatoon Raiders takes the franchise in a noticeably different direction. Its focus on treasure hunting, character progression, customizable gadgets and solo-friendly Salmonid battles allows Nintendo to expand Splatoon beyond competitive multiplayer.
The ability to play alone or invite up to three additional raiders gives the game flexibility, while its weapon variations, tank classes and upgrade systems appear designed to support experimentation across repeated expeditions.
For Nintendo Switch 2 owners interested in Splatoon’s world but less interested in competitive online matches, Splatoon Raiders offers a new entry point built around exploration, cooperation and fast-moving ink-based action.
