Nintendo launches Splatoon Raiders spin‑off on Switch 2

Nintendo released the new Splatoon spin‑off Splatoon Raiders exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 on 23 July 2026. The game follows a single‑player mechanic who teams with the musical trio Deep Cut to explore the Spirhalite Islands, collect loot, upgrade weapons and gadgets, and fight waves of Salmonids. Up to three additional players can join online or via local wireless for cooperative raids, while solo players can request help from others through the online “Help” system.

The title replaces the series’ competitive multiplayer focus with a looter‑shooter structure, featuring three tank classes (Speed, Power, Tactical) and customizable gadgets. A day‑one patch (version 1.1.0) adjusted music and made minor gameplay fixes before launch.

Developers explained that Splatoon Raiders was created as a “new entry point” for the franchise, allowing the team to explore solo adventure and co‑op elements that have been secondary in previous games. Producer Seita Inoue said the spin‑off lets Nintendo attract new players while a future mainline entry, Splatoon 4, remains in development.