Splatoon has always been Nintendo’s ink-splattered multiplayer playground — but Splatoon Raiders takes the series somewhere entirely new. Launching 23 July 2026 exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2, this single-player-focused spin-off puts players at the helm of a mechanic sailing the mysterious Spirhalite Islands in search of treasure, alongside the fan-favourite trio Deep Cut.
What Splatoon Raiders Is — And Why It’s Different
This is not Splatoon 4. Raiders is a deliberate step sideways — a story-driven, single-player action shooter that draws inspiration from the beloved Salmon Run mode while building something much bigger around it. You create your own Inkling or Octoling character, take on the role of a mechanic hired by Shiver, Frye, and Big Man, and set out to plunder the Spirhalite Islands for loot. The gameplay blends ink-splattering combat against waves of Salmonid enemies with exploration, crafting at a Mechanic Shack aboard your hideout ship, and dungeon-style raids for increasingly rare treasure. Nintendo ran a dedicated Splatoon Raiders Direct on 30 June 2026 going deep on all the systems — well worth a watch for anyone on the fence.
Exploring the Spirhalite Islands With Deep Cut
The setting is a string of mysterious islands packed with Salmonid foes and buried loot. One Deep Cut member joins each raid as a powerful companion bot, providing firepower and personality as you push deeper into each island. An Exploration Bot travels with you too, detecting hidden treasure caches and flagging points of interest along the way. Between missions you return to your hideout ship — your base of operations — to upgrade gear, craft gadgets, and plan the next run. Three difficulty settings (Tourist, Raider, and Survivalist) let you calibrate the challenge, and rideable Stingray mounts appear in certain battles for a burst of extra chaos.
Character Creator and Gear Progression
Raiders introduces the most comprehensive character creator the Splatoon series has seen. Players choose between Inkling and Octoling, then customise their look and voice before heading out. Gear found and crafted during raids feeds directly into your loadout, giving meaningful progression between runs. The 30 June Nintendo Direct went deep on the customisation systems, showing how weapons, gadgets, and ship upgrades layer together as you advance through the islands. It’s a loop that should feel satisfying for Splatoon veterans while remaining approachable for newcomers.
Optional Co-op for Up to Four Players
Single-player is the core experience, but Splatoon Raiders supports co-op for up to four players via online or local wireless. Call in friends for a specific raid when you want extra firepower, then continue solo whenever you prefer. Difficulty scales to the number of players present, so the experience stays balanced whether you’re running it alone or in a full crew. It’s a flexible design that lets Raiders serve both solo players who prefer a focused adventure and groups who want to tackle the hardest raids together.
Release Date, Pricing and Pre-order Details
Splatoon Raiders launches 23 July 2026 exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2. The digital price is US$49.99 and the physical edition is US$59.99 — SGD pricing via the Nintendo eShop Singapore and local retailers is to be confirmed, so keep an eye on the Nintendo Singapore site. Singapore eShop availability should align with the Japan launch at 1 PM JST on 23 July, which works out to around noon SGT. Pre-orders are already live on the Nintendo eShop, and three new amiibo — Shiver, Frye, and Big Man in Raiders-themed designs — launch the same day as the game. For more game news and Switch 2 coverage, we’ll have ongoing updates as the 23 July launch approaches.
