Nintendo confirmed today that Splatoon Raiders will launch exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on July 23, unveiling the single-player-focused action shooter during a dedicated Splatoon Raiders Direct presentation.
The game continues the Splatoon franchise's ink-themed universe and centers on a new treasure-hunting adventure with Deep Cut — the trio Shiver, Frye and Big Man — set across the Spirhalite Islands.
In the Direct, Nintendo said Splatoon Raiders is a single-player-focused action-shooter in which players assume the role of a mechanic partnered with Deep Cut to explore the Spirhalite Islands and recover treasure.
Players customize their character, equip ink-spraying weapons and mechanical gadgets, and face waves of Salmonid enemies while piloting specialized tanks and a powerful Exploration Bot that assists in detecting loot.
Gameplay systems highlighted in the presentation include three tank classes — Speed, Power and Tactical — each with distinct gadgets and strategic roles.
Speed tanks emphasize mobility with tools such as Blast Boot and Booyarang; Power tanks focus on aggressive options like the Splatchet and Splatellites; Tactical tanks support strategic play with deployables such as Shot Pot turrets and the tether-based Tether Wail.
Nintendo also outlined a deep customization loop: collect gadget parts during raids, upgrade gadgets and weapons at the Gadget Workshop and Weapon Stash, and improve tanks at the Mechanic's Shack.
Enemies are dominated by Salmonids in multiple tiers: lesser Salmonids appear in hordes, Boss Salmonids drop Mega Power Eggs when defeated, and Seasoned Salmonids present the toughest combat encounters.
Weapons spray ink from refillable tanks, with more than 100 weapon variations confirmed, and rare drops occasionally provide weapons with unique powers.
Nintendo noted that players keep weapons and salvage gained during raids even if they are defeated.
Additional confirmed features include three difficulty settings (Tourist, Raider and Survivalist), local and online co-op for up to four players, and a Call for Help feature that allows temporary online assistance.
Cosmetic progression includes outfits earned through island challenges and amiibo support: tapping compatible Splatoon amiibo unlocks outfits, and new Splatoon Raiders amiibo figures will grant themed costumes.
Nintendo also revealed Joy-Con 2 colors inspired by Deep Cut launching on the game's release day.
Nintendo tied the Splatoon Raiders release into the wider Splatoon ecosystem, pointing players to a Splatoon 3 Splatfest event and additional series content on Nintendo Today and the official Splatoon site.
For fans tracking the franchise, Splatoon Raiders' July 23 launch represents the first major Splatoon-branded title confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2.
The game continues the Splatoon franchise's ink-themed universe and centers on a new treasure-hunting adventure with Deep Cut — the trio Shiver, Frye and Big Man — set across the Spirhalite Islands.
In the Direct, Nintendo said Splatoon Raiders is a single-player-focused action-shooter in which players assume the role of a mechanic partnered with Deep Cut to explore the Spirhalite Islands and recover treasure.
Players customize their character, equip ink-spraying weapons and mechanical gadgets, and face waves of Salmonid enemies while piloting specialized tanks and a powerful Exploration Bot that assists in detecting loot.
Gameplay systems highlighted in the presentation include three tank classes — Speed, Power and Tactical — each with distinct gadgets and strategic roles.
Speed tanks emphasize mobility with tools such as Blast Boot and Booyarang; Power tanks focus on aggressive options like the Splatchet and Splatellites; Tactical tanks support strategic play with deployables such as Shot Pot turrets and the tether-based Tether Wail.
Nintendo also outlined a deep customization loop: collect gadget parts during raids, upgrade gadgets and weapons at the Gadget Workshop and Weapon Stash, and improve tanks at the Mechanic's Shack.
Enemies are dominated by Salmonids in multiple tiers: lesser Salmonids appear in hordes, Boss Salmonids drop Mega Power Eggs when defeated, and Seasoned Salmonids present the toughest combat encounters.
Weapons spray ink from refillable tanks, with more than 100 weapon variations confirmed, and rare drops occasionally provide weapons with unique powers.
Nintendo noted that players keep weapons and salvage gained during raids even if they are defeated.
Additional confirmed features include three difficulty settings (Tourist, Raider and Survivalist), local and online co-op for up to four players, and a Call for Help feature that allows temporary online assistance.
Cosmetic progression includes outfits earned through island challenges and amiibo support: tapping compatible Splatoon amiibo unlocks outfits, and new Splatoon Raiders amiibo figures will grant themed costumes.
Nintendo also revealed Joy-Con 2 colors inspired by Deep Cut launching on the game's release day.
Nintendo tied the Splatoon Raiders release into the wider Splatoon ecosystem, pointing players to a Splatoon 3 Splatfest event and additional series content on Nintendo Today and the official Splatoon site.
For fans tracking the franchise, Splatoon Raiders' July 23 launch represents the first major Splatoon-branded title confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2.
