Nintendo has laid out detailed information on Splatoon Raiders — a single-player spinoff in the Splatoon universe — during a dedicated Nintendo Direct presentation.
The title launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on July 23.
The Direct introduced the band Deep Cut (members Shiver, Frye, and Big Man), the playable pilot known as The Mechanic, and a broad set of gameplay systems including enemies, over 100 weapons, gadgets, and multiplayer features.
Overview and setting
Splatoon Raiders sends Deep Cut across the fog-shrouded Spirhalite islands in search of treasure after their plane makes an emergency landing.
Island biomes include beaches, swamplands, lava zones, and icy regions.
Players control The Mechanic during raids while a Deep Cut member operates an Exploration Bot that pinpoints buried treasure; Power Eggs gathered from defeated Salmonids power the bot.
Enemy classifications
Nintendo detailed three tiers of Salmonid threats:
- Lesser Salmonids: smaller foes that can overwhelm in numbers, including Small Fry, Chum, Tong Chum, Spring Chum, and Sparky.
- Boss Salmonids: more challenging encounters that drop Mega Power Eggs (worth 100 Power Eggs) on defeat; examples include Scrapper, Salty Tongue, Salivator, and Smoker.
- Seasoned Salmonids: described by the Direct as the 'pinnacle of Salmonid evolution,' these larger monsters appear covered in salt; the presentation noted that a saltier appearance correlates with greater strength.
Examples listed include Minced Scrapper, Thick-Cut Salty Tongue, and Big-Stack Stinger.
Weapons, tanks, and gadgets
Players have access to more than 100 weapons that fire ink and can be swapped at the Hideout Ship.
Ink refills by diving into inked surfaces.
The Mechanic uses one of three tank types — Speed Tank, Power Tank, or Tactical Tank — with each tank permitting up to two attachable Gadgets.
Gadget examples shown in the Direct:
- Speed Tank: Blast Boot, Dash Bomb, Booyarang
- Power Tank: Splatchet, Splatellites, Spinwheel
- Tactical Tank: Shot Pot, Bombloons, Tether Wail
Gadgets have cooldowns and can be upgraded with Gadget Parts.
Progression, customization, and multiplayer
Experience points are awarded every run, even on failure, and are used to upgrade skills and facilities aboard the Hideout Ship.
The Mechanic's Shack, Shiver’s Gadget Workshop, Frye’s Weapon Stash, and Big Man’s research catalog each serve defined upgrade or inventory functions.
Apparel and accessories unlock over time, and Splatoon amiibo can grant unique outfit designs.
Difficulty can be changed at any time via the Options menu, with Tourist, Raider, and Survivalist modes affecting Salmonid difficulty; Nintendo confirmed that loot obtained per run remains the same regardless of selected difficulty.
Multiplayer supports up to four players via local wireless or online.
Solo players can use a 'Call for Help' feature to invite a temporary assisting player; the helper remains until the raid ends and the caller must wait before requesting help again.
Assisting another player yields bonus rewards.
Other release details
Splatoon Raiders launches on Nintendo Switch 2 on July 23.
Blue and Light Yellow Joy‑Con 2 controllers inspired by characters Shiver and Frye will release the same day.
Nintendo listed pre-order availability at retailers including Amazon and GameStop, and third-party accessory maker Keys Factory announced Switch 2 cases and Joy‑Con 2 covers tied to the release.
The title launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on July 23.
The Direct introduced the band Deep Cut (members Shiver, Frye, and Big Man), the playable pilot known as The Mechanic, and a broad set of gameplay systems including enemies, over 100 weapons, gadgets, and multiplayer features.
Overview and setting
Splatoon Raiders sends Deep Cut across the fog-shrouded Spirhalite islands in search of treasure after their plane makes an emergency landing.
Island biomes include beaches, swamplands, lava zones, and icy regions.
Players control The Mechanic during raids while a Deep Cut member operates an Exploration Bot that pinpoints buried treasure; Power Eggs gathered from defeated Salmonids power the bot.
Enemy classifications
Nintendo detailed three tiers of Salmonid threats:
- Lesser Salmonids: smaller foes that can overwhelm in numbers, including Small Fry, Chum, Tong Chum, Spring Chum, and Sparky.
- Boss Salmonids: more challenging encounters that drop Mega Power Eggs (worth 100 Power Eggs) on defeat; examples include Scrapper, Salty Tongue, Salivator, and Smoker.
- Seasoned Salmonids: described by the Direct as the 'pinnacle of Salmonid evolution,' these larger monsters appear covered in salt; the presentation noted that a saltier appearance correlates with greater strength.
Examples listed include Minced Scrapper, Thick-Cut Salty Tongue, and Big-Stack Stinger.
Weapons, tanks, and gadgets
Players have access to more than 100 weapons that fire ink and can be swapped at the Hideout Ship.
Ink refills by diving into inked surfaces.
The Mechanic uses one of three tank types — Speed Tank, Power Tank, or Tactical Tank — with each tank permitting up to two attachable Gadgets.
Gadget examples shown in the Direct:
- Speed Tank: Blast Boot, Dash Bomb, Booyarang
- Power Tank: Splatchet, Splatellites, Spinwheel
- Tactical Tank: Shot Pot, Bombloons, Tether Wail
Gadgets have cooldowns and can be upgraded with Gadget Parts.
Progression, customization, and multiplayer
Experience points are awarded every run, even on failure, and are used to upgrade skills and facilities aboard the Hideout Ship.
The Mechanic's Shack, Shiver’s Gadget Workshop, Frye’s Weapon Stash, and Big Man’s research catalog each serve defined upgrade or inventory functions.
Apparel and accessories unlock over time, and Splatoon amiibo can grant unique outfit designs.
Difficulty can be changed at any time via the Options menu, with Tourist, Raider, and Survivalist modes affecting Salmonid difficulty; Nintendo confirmed that loot obtained per run remains the same regardless of selected difficulty.
Multiplayer supports up to four players via local wireless or online.
Solo players can use a 'Call for Help' feature to invite a temporary assisting player; the helper remains until the raid ends and the caller must wait before requesting help again.
Assisting another player yields bonus rewards.
Other release details
Splatoon Raiders launches on Nintendo Switch 2 on July 23.
Blue and Light Yellow Joy‑Con 2 controllers inspired by characters Shiver and Frye will release the same day.
Nintendo listed pre-order availability at retailers including Amazon and GameStop, and third-party accessory maker Keys Factory announced Switch 2 cases and Joy‑Con 2 covers tied to the release.
