Splatoon Goes Solo โ And It Works Beautifully
Nintendo launched Splatoon Raiders exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on July 23, 2026, and the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. The series' first spinoff takes one of Nintendo's most multiplayer-focused franchises and builds an entirely single-player focused adventure around it โ and the result is one of the Switch 2's strongest exclusives to date.
Developed by Nintendo EPD under director Yoshihiko Ito, Splatoon Raiders is set in the Spirhalite Islands, a derelict tropical archipelago that the game deliberately makes unsettling despite its colorful palette. You play as a mechanic working alongside Deep Cut โ the trio of swashbuckling musician characters from Splatoon 3 โ on a treasure-hunting expedition through islands overrun by Salmonids.
What Makes Raiders Different
Every previous mainline Splatoon game has been built around competitive online multiplayer. Raiders abandons that structure entirely in favor of a story-driven adventure where nearly everything you collect makes you stronger.
The loot system is central to the experience. Defeated Salmonids drop resources that feed directly into weapon upgrades, gadget construction, and character customization. One member of Deep Cut accompanies you on missions, piloting a support bot and deploying their unique Showstopper attack during combat. The result is a game that feels meaningfully different from its predecessors while retaining the series' ink-based DNA.
Gadgets and Weapons
The weapon upgrade system was expanded significantly from what appeared in early trailers. Raiders gives players access to the full range of Splatoon's ink-flinging arsenal alongside mechanical gadgets unique to the game. Customization options for both your character and combat approach are broader than any previous single-player Splatoon content.
Difficulty options โ Tourist, Raider, and Survivalist โ can be changed at any time and affect only combat, not loot acquisition. This design decision means players who want the story without difficulty friction can access all content without compromise.
The Critical Reception
Reviews have praised Raiders' art direction and its gameplay emphasis on experimentation. The derelict Spirhalite Islands provide a visual identity distinct from anything in the mainline series. The decision to make Deep Cut the emotional center of the story โ characters the developers acknowledged were inadequately explored in Splatoon 3's single-player campaign โ has paid off.
The criticism has been more limited: some reviewers note that Raiders does not dramatically reinvent the series, and players expecting multiplayer depth will find a fundamentally different experience. For the audience it is designed for, that is not a complaint.
Multiplayer Options
Despite its single-player focus, Raiders does include cooperative options. Up to four players can join online or via local wireless, with power scaling automatically adjusting to keep the experience balanced regardless of level disparity.
Amiibo and Updates
Three new amiibo launched alongside the game: Splatoon Raiders-themed versions of Shiver, Frye, and Big Man. Nintendo has already pushed Version 1.1.1 following launch, addressing a collection of post-launch fixes.
A Splatoon Raiders-themed Tetris 99 event runs August 7-10, 2026 for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.
What's Next
Splatoon Raiders is available now exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2, digitally via the Nintendo eShop and physically at retail. Post-launch support has begun with Version 1.1.1. Nintendo has indicated ongoing updates for Splatoon 3 will continue on both Switch and Switch 2, with a new update tied to Raiders save data already announced.
For Switch 2 owners looking for a flagship single-player experience, Raiders has become the answer.
