It's official: Splatoon Raiders arrives on Switch 2 on July 23, 2026, exclusively for the console. Nintendo held a dedicated Direct for the new spin-off on Tuesday, June 30, unveiling complete gameplay details and mechanics for the title.
Unlike the main series entries, Splatoon Raiders emphasizes solo campaign action and exploration. Players create a character who joins the Deep Cut trio (Shiver, Frye, and Big Man) to explore the mysterious Spirhalite Islands in search of treasure. Progression follows an exploration loop: locate a treasure spot, enter a stage, face off against Salmonid hordes, and defeat enemies to collect loot.
A key highlight is the cooperative system inspired by modern Monster Hunter games. Solo players can send out a help request before starting a raid, allowing other players to select a "Go Help" option to be matched and join their lobby. Those who assist receive bonus rewards upon successful raid completion. Failing a raid results in losing all loot collected during that session.
The Direct also showed detailed gameplay footage of combat mechanics, island exploration, and a progression system featuring special abilities unlocked through collectible items. Splatoon Raiders will be an exclusive title for Switch 2.
