A newly-released Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive now has the distinction of being one of the highest-rated video games of all time. Nintendo came out swinging with the Switch 2, ensuring that the new home console/handheld hybrid launched with Mario Kart World and had Donkey Kong Bananza to its name not even two months later. Nintendo has continued to release high-quality Switch 2 exclusives on a regular basis, with this year seeing the likes of Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, the Star Fox remake, and Pokemon Pokopia, among other games.
Pokemon Pokopia earned strong reviews at the time of its release and is one of the highest-rated games of the year so far based on critic score. But while Pokopia has proven to be one of 2026’s biggest hits, it isn’t even close to the highest-rated Switch 2 exclusive based on user score. That distinction goes to the recently-released Splatoon Raiders, which is currently in the top 10 highest-rated games on Metacritic by user score.
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – 9.5
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Blood and Wine – 9.3
- Resident Evil Requiem – 9.3
- Silent Hill 2 – 9.3
- Disney Cory in the House – 9.3
- Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater – 9.3
- Splatoon Raiders – 9.3
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Hearts of Stone – 9.2
- The Last of Us Remastered – 9.2
- The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask – 9.2
The top 10 list at the time of this writing is led by Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and its 9.5, with Splatoon Raiders earning a 9.3, sandwiched between Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Hearts of Stone expansion. Splatoon Raiders is a brand-new release and so there is still plenty of time for its score to fluctuate, but it’s a testament to the game’s initial reception that it’s managed to find itself ranked so high on the list. It also means Splatoon Raiders is one of the best reasons to buy a Switch 2 for those that have yet to pick up Nintendo’s latest console for themselves.
For those unfamiliar with the game, Splatoon Raiders is a spin-off of the usually PvP multiplayer-focused Splatoon franchise. Splatoon Raiders can be played in single-player or co-op, and has players completing missions and fighting bosses in search of crafting materials, XP, and currency to upgrade their weapons, level up, and improve their base. It boasts a rather addicting gameplay loop and features surprisingly challenging encounters against a nice variety of enemies, and so its popularity is really no surprise.
Splatoon Raiders has earned high scores from critics as well, though not nearly as high as its user scores. Splatoon Raiders critic reviews have it sitting at a respectable 81 on Metacritic, which is around the same score that the main series Splatoon games have earned over the years.
As for what’s next for the franchise, it’s been hinted that Splatoon 4 is on the way, which would make sense considering the franchise’s popularity. Splatoon 4 will presumably take the series back to its PvP-focused roots, but it will be interesting to see if it learns any lessons from Splatoon Raiders in light of its success.
- 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
