Nintendo launches Splatoon Raiders on Switch 2

Nintendo released the new Splatoon spin‑off Splatoon Raiders worldwide on July 23 2026 as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. The game is priced at $49.99 for the digital edition and $59.99 for the physical cartridge. Unlike previous entries, Raiders focuses on a single‑player adventure (with optional local or online co‑op for up to four players) featuring a mechanic protagonist who works with the musical trio Deep Cut to explore the Spirhalite Islands, solve puzzles, gather resources and battle mutant salmon‑like enemies.

Reviews note the game’s vibrant art style, fluid movement and inventive gadgets, but criticize repetitive mission design and limited content. Multiple guides highlight the importance of gadgets for surviving the chaotic time‑trial levels, advising players to upgrade tanks and experiment with weapon‑gadget combinations. The title also includes a loading‑screen Easter egg that can crash the game if the cloud animation is over‑moved, a bug that Nintendo plans to patch. Multiplayer modes allow players to call for help, join random lobbies, or host private rooms, with all online participants using marine‑animal aliases for privacy. The launch adds a major first‑party exclusive to the Switch 2 lineup, reinforcing Nintendo’s strategy of using flagship titles to drive hardware sales.