Splatoon is one of Nintendo’s newer franchises, but it has already proven to be wildly successful. The original Splatoon was one of the Wii U’s only bright spots, and both Splatoon 2 and Splatoon 3 were top-sellers on the Nintendo Switch. A Splatoon 4 is inevitable, but in the meantime, Nintendo has taken a detour with the spin-off game Splatoon Raiders on the Switch 2. Despite being a spin-off, an argument can easily be made that Splatoon Raiders is the best in the series.
Whereas the main series Splatoon games largely focus on PvP multiplayer, with some low-key single-player content sprinkled in, Splatoon Raiders doesn’t have any versus component at all. The game is primarily a single-player experience, abandoning the PvP trappings of the main series in favor of action-RPG mechanics and an addicting gameplay loop that makes it seriously hard to put down.
Splatoon Raiders Successfully Converts the Franchise Into an Action-RPG
Splatoon Raiders gives players a few different tanks to choose from that effectively function as the game’s equivalent to classes. One tank is about fast movement, another is the “tank” class of the tanks, and the third is about using gadgets like turrets for some extra help on missions. Players are able to level up each tank individually, upgrading their health, damage output, and more, as well as equip them with new abilities and stat buffs.
The Splatoon Raiders gameplay loop is all about jumping into a mission with the tank of one’s choice, collecting resources and XP, and completing the stage’s objective for more rewards. Resources can be used to upgrade weapons and the floating hideout that players call home in between missions, which can be outfitted with all kinds of useful tools and fun time-wasters like an arcade that has some surprisingly entertaining 8-bit style mini-games.
Upgrading the hideout and getting more powerful weapons is an enticing carrot-on-a-stick that makes Splatoon Raiders‘ progression incredibly rewarding. Of course, worthwhile unlocks can only go so far if the gameplay doesn’t back it up, but luckily, Splatoon Raiders‘ core gameplay is legitimately fantastic.
Splatoon Raiders takes the unique movement and combat from the main games and applies them to an action-RPG framework. Like in the other games, Splatoon Raiders players are encouraged to paint the arenas with as much paint as possible using unique weapons like paint rollers, buckets, and more to give themselves room to zip around in their squid form. But instead of battling other players, the fight is against computer-controlled Salmonid monsters, which come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, including some particularly impressive bosses. If players are having trouble defeating these monsters, they need to level up, get better guns, and try again.
What really helps put Splatoon Raiders over the top is the challenge. The initial levels had me worried that Splatoon Raiders would be too easy to give a real sense of accomplishment, but things got hectic quickly. Many missions have players dealing with overwhelmingly relentless waves of enemies, often paired with strict time limits that force aggressive play. The best Splatoon Raiders missions require players to use all the tools at their disposal, and even then, they might barely get by. I can’t count the number of times I reached my goal with only a second or two to spare, and it’s these exhilarating, buzzer-beating moments that stick with you the most.
Some missions are focused entirely on blasting away waves of Salmonids, but others are more about exploration. There are obstacle course challenges, some platforming challenges, and even puzzles to conquer from time to time, ensuring that Splatoon Raiders offers a great deal of variety. No matter the mission, players are handsomely rewarded for their efforts, and no mission type feels like a waste of time versus another. Most of the missions in the game are pretty short, too, so even if you aren’t vibing with one, you will be headed to the next before too long.
Splatoon Raiders is a Blast in Co-Op
As a strictly single-player experience, Splatoon Raiders would be an easy recommendation for all Switch 2 owners to pick up ASAP, but the cherry on top is the co-op. Splatoon Raiders supports co-op for up to four players, and setting up a co-op session with friends is a quick and painless experience. While it’s largely been pushed as a “single-player” Splatoon experience, the vast majority of Splatoon Raiders can be played entirely in co-op, and that makes the entire thing significantly more entertaining.
Some quirks with Splatoon Raiders co-op keep it from reaching its full potential, though. Players don’t have the option to share hideouts or even visit each other’s hideouts, which isn’t a big deal, but it would have been appreciated. Only the host player can order around the robot (necessary for certain platforming segments and drilling for resources), players can’t really cooperate on puzzles, and there are no couch co-op or split-screen options available. Splatoon Raiders doesn’t use GameShare like some other Switch 2 games do either, so playing co-op means owning at least two copies of the game and two Nintendo Switch 2 consoles. I’ve also experienced disconnects on a fairly regular basis in local wireless play, but this has only happened in the hub world and is easily fixed.
Splatoon Raiders also has a bad habit of overlong conversations that are not particularly funny or interesting. Some might find the banter charming, but in my experience, everyone is impatient for the yapping to get over with so they can get back to the game.
“Beating” Splatoon Raiders takes a little over 10 hours, but there’s plenty of reason to keep playing long after the credits roll.
It’s not perfect, but Splatoon Raiders is still an exceptional game. It’s impressive how chaotic the missions can become with zero slowdown of any kind, and the core gameplay combined with the rewarding progression makes it a must-have for Switch 2 gamers, especially if they have someone to play co-op with. Splatoon Raiders is a high point for the franchise and will hopefully inform the story mode content in future Splatoon games.
- Released
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July 23, 2026
- ESRB
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Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo EPD
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
- Rewarding progression and gameplay loop
- Chaotic action with zero slowdown
- Nice variety of mission types to keep things from getting dull
- Decent challenge
- Can be played almost entirely in co-op
- Co-op implementation misses the mark at times
- Conversations are rarely interesting and slow the pacing
Splatoon Raiders is out now, exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.
