Nintendo just pulled the tarp off Splatoon Raiders via the Nintendo Today app, and from what we saw in the gameplay reveal, this isn’t the spinoff I was expecting. A single player focused action shooter isn’t the direction I was personally hoping for, but it looks awesome nonetheless.
Splatoon has always had personality for days, but the campaigns have generally been neat addition tucked underneath the multiplayer, but never the star. Raiders aims to go beyond that, carrying a weight and a cinematic polish that feels closer to a proper Nintendo single player adventure than a side mode.
Nintendo revealed many details about Splatoon Raiders including the price, release date and whether the game will feature multiplayer. Let’s get into everything we learned.
Meet The Mechanic
- Players take on the role of the Mechanic, a fully customizable Inkling
- Customization options are tailored to the island setting rather than the franchise’s usual urban streetwear
- The Mechanic crafts all the tools and weapons used throughout the campaign
You play as the Mechanic, a customizable inkling that has the ability to craft weapons and tools among other things. Character creation has always been a bright spot for the series, and this one has a genuinely nice variety of options built specifically around the island setting.
Less urban streetwear, more weathered salvager with bottles and seashells tied to you. It’s a strong visual pivot that tells you immediately this isn’t Inkopolis business as usual, and it gives the whole reveal a survival-adventure flavor that stands out among the rest of the franchise.
Deep Cut Joins In The Action
- Shiver, Frye, and Big Man of Deep Cut return from Splatoon 3
- Nintendo officially describes the trio as “swashbuckling musicians”
- One Deep Cut member raids alongside the Mechanic at a time in what Nintendo calls a “powerful bot”
Shiver, Frye, and Big Man, also known as Deep Cut, are officially described here as a “trio of swashbuckling musicians” venturing with you into the mysterious Spirhalite Islands. They will play a much more substantial role in this game compared to their Splatoon 3 hosting gig. They won’t just be commentating from the sidelines this time. One member of Deep Cut raids alongside you at a time in what Nintendo dubs as a “powerful bot”.
The Mechanic will seemingly be able to interact with the companion bot. In the trailer, we see the player can boost jumping off of the bot to get height over enemies. We also see them outside of the bot unleashing special moves alongside the Mechanic. It’d be awesome if there are even more combo mechanics waiting to be revealed.
Salmonids, Crafting, and an Ink-Fueled Axe
- Salmonids return as the primary enemy force across the islands
- Loadouts consist of “mechanical gadgets and ink-splattering weapons” built through crafting
- New ink-fueled Axe bursts the Mechanic forward to close distance on enemies
Salmonids are the main threat across the islands, and based on the footage, they’ve become more dangerous. Use your loadout of “mechanical gadgets and ink-splattering weapons,” to strike back. Crafting looks central to the loop, letting you build these gadgets and weapons, some never seen in a Splatoon game before.
The one that immediately caught my attention was an ink-fueled Axe that bursts you forward to close distance on enemies. We also saw gadgets that circle around the player splatting any enemies that get too close. If the crafting tree goes as deep as I hope and the new weapons bring a fresh feel to the gameplay, this could be the most mechanically rich Splatoon to date.
Raid the Spirhalite Islands for Salvage
- The archipelago is officially named the Spirhalite Islands
- Splatoon Raiders is level-based with a stage select screen for each island
- Treasure hunting is framed as raiding the islands for salvage
- Each piece of salvage appears to carry its own individual value and ability
Splatoon Raiders is level-based, with a stage select screen for each island across the Spirhalite archipelago. Running through it all is a treasure hunt angle. Each piece you find seems to carry its own value. Whether that’s tied directly to crafting, progression, or some kind of island economy hasn’t been fully explained yet, but it also shows an ability tied to it such as a midair jump. Stage-based structure plus a discovery hook is a combo Nintendo has nailed before, and it’s a smart fit for a Splatoon that’s stepping outside the competitive multiplayer arena.
Single-Player First, But Up to Four Can Raid Together
- Splatoon Raiders is pitched as mainly a single-player adventure
- Up to three additional players can join online or via local wireless for four-player co-op
- Solo players are accompanied by a Deep Cut member piloting the bot
- Multiplayer runs through the entire campaign rather than being a separate mode
Here’s the surprise tucked into the official description: Splatoon Raiders is pitched as “mainly a single-player adventure,” but you can team up with up to three other players either online or via local wireless. That’s a four-player co-op option running through the entire campaign, which is a much bigger deal than the “single-player focused” framing initially suggested.
Nintendo is still positioning the solo run as the main course, which is respectable, but the option to pull this into a party raid completely changes the long-term value conversation. Solo you’ve got your Deep Cut bot companion. In co-op, a squad of Mechanics tearing through the Spirhalite Islands together? That sounds like a fresh time.
New Deep Cut amiibo Incoming
- New Deep Cut amiibo set featuring Shiver, Frye, and Big Man launches alongside the game
- Figures showcase the trio’s new Splatoon Raiders styles
- Amiibo release on July 23rd, 2026, the same day as the game
Launching alongside the game is a brand new Deep Cut amiibo set featuring Shiver, Frye, and Big Man in their Splatoon Raiders styles. Nintendo has a long track record of underestimating demand on Splatoon figures so good luck finding them at retail day one. If you’ve got a preorder pipeline you
A Shocking Price and a Close Release Date
Splatoon Raiders launches July 23rd, 2026, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2, priced at $49.99 digitally with a physical version confirmed at $59.99. The $10 savings for the digital copy is taking effect with this release as well for those looking to save a few bucks. We don’t know how much more substantial this game will be compared to a standard Splatoon campaign or expansion, but what I’m already loving the price point.
Splatoon Raiders is shaping up to be the most ambitious single-player experience this franchise has ever attempted, with up to four-player co-op as the secret weapon. A cinematic tone, a fully custom protagonist, Deep Cut as swashbuckling battle partners, weapon and gadget crafting, salvage hunting across the Spirhalite Islands, and new weapons that break the Splatoon conventions. July 23rd can’t get here fast enough. If Nintendo sticks the landing, this could end up being the sleeper Switch 2 release of the year.
