Splatoon Raiders: Everything you need to know about the Splatoon spin-off — check out our take

The Splatoon franchise temporarily steps away from multiplayer battles for a solo adventure... Developed and published by Nintendo, Splatoon Raiders is an exclusive on Nintendo Switch 2 since July 23, 2026. This first spin-off will take players to the Spirhalite Archipelago with the Tridenfer, the trio first spotted in Splatoon 3, in a series of expeditions that mix exploration, battles against the Salmonids and treasure hunting.

Our test of Splatoon Raiders

A game we’ve spent a good stretch with. Graphically, Nintendo has trained us to expect vibrant, flashy worlds, and here it’s somewhat muted… but that’s intentional. It’s jarring at first, then it grows on you. Otherwise, the game is fairly stable and enjoyable to play.

On the gameplay side, we struggled a bit in handheld mode with aiming while moving the console, but the core idea remains intriguing. Still, it tends to feel very repetitive: you land on a map, splatter enemies with paint, grab artifacts, and head back to base… We’ll wait for more mechanics or surprises. There are four level types, but we’re left hungry for more. The game also nails the shooter-looter tropes, yet we still have a hard time getting the hang of it.

What really powers the title is its flexibility in how players tackle battles, thanks to builds that offer different playstyles (we’re fond of the auto-targeting turret). The multiplayer component also strengthens the experience, letting you team up with friends in a private match or team up with strangers online via matchmaking. It makes the sessions a bit more enjoyable, and the game could use that energy.

Definitely a game for die-hard fans of the franchise, but we’d steer shooter-looter enthusiasts toward other picks. Still, the title remains interesting in its take on the genre and stands out from the rest of the franchise, proving that Splatoon is willing to try new things and differentiate itself effectively. We may come back to it. For now, you’ve only got to give the experience a go.

Overview of Splatoon Raiders:

"Set out to explore the mysterious Spirhalite archipelago as a mechanic alongside the Tridenfer in Splatoon Raiders, Splatoon's very first spin-off, which will be arriving exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2."

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On the gameplay front, Splatoon Raiders invites you to step into the shoes of a mechanic onboard an expedition to the enigmatic Spirhalite archipelago. There you’ll meet the Tridenfer — Pasquale, Angie, and Raimi — introduced in Splatoon 3, along with a protagonist you control, Mecano, a helicopter pilot who leads the trio and crash-lands. This time, Nintendo clarifies its pitch a bit: it’s a shooter-action title designed primarily for solo play, accessible to both longtime fans of the series and newcomers.

The player can customize their look and gear, explore various islands, hunt for treasure, and wield an ink-jetting arsenal alongside mechanical gadgets to take on countless salmonoids, raid incursions, and loot riches. One member of Tridenfer may even accompany the journey as a support bot, hinting at a more tactical dimension to expeditions.

Nintendo is also expanding the experience with a multiplayer mode, allowing up to four players to play together online or over local wireless, broadening the game’s appeal beyond the solo quest. Also note that since its July 23 release, new Amiibo figurines featuring Angie, Pasquale, and Raimi in their in-game outfits are now available.

Trailer for Splatoon Raiders:

The first spin-off seems keen to expand the Splatoon universe without replacing the competitive formula that made it a hit. Between exploration, treasure hunting and solo progression, Splatoon Raiders will have to show just how far Nintendo can push its license beyond its usual turf.

And for the rest of the trailers, this way:

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