Developer: Nintendo EPD (Entertainment Planning & Development Division)
Publishers: Nintendo
Price: $49.99 Digital / $59.99 Physical
Splatoon has been around for over a decade now, debuting back in May 2015 on the Wii U. It's since seen two direct sequels, establishing itself as Nintendo’s very own shooter.
While the core franchise features a short single-player campaign, it's always come second to the competitive online multiplayer. However, Nintendo continued to dabble with different PvE modes, going as far as adding paid DLC for both Splatoon 2 and Splatoon 3.
These PvE modes were generally well received, but what really stood out was Salmon Run, an online co-op wave-based mode that set the ground work for today. But alas, those who wanted the experience could only find it online, until now!
Splatoon Raiders takes the core mechanics of the series and puts them into a fully-fledged single-player adventure. This time, it's all about exploring the Spirhalite Islands and raiding those pesky Salmonids.
Anyone familiar with the "looter shooter" genre will feel right at home here. The game offers plenty of collectible weapons and modifications for your gear, creating a near-infinite cycle of content.
But who exactly is this game for? Stick with us as we dive into the details, and hopefully help you answer that question for yourself.
Splatoon Raiders kicks off its gameplay loop right from the beginning, allowing you to quickly dive in but gradually learn its systems. You'll begin with a single weapon and Gadget, before eventually unlocking many facilities for customization.
The game offers a respectable challenge level that feels both engaging and incredibly fair. The difficulty is right on point, and encourages experimentation that can actually be felt with every adjustment. Even if you fail, you still get to keep all of your collected loot, so there's no penalty for exploration.
Salmonids each come with their own strengths and weaknesses, making them tough foes when you're not properly equipped. However, by trying out new gear combinations, even a subtle change can make all the difference once you hop back in for round two.
The overall progression feels very well designed, as you’re constantly finding better loot and unlocking new forms of customization. As soon as you think you've got a grasp on it all, the game introduces even more ways to enhance your experience further.
Satisfying Mechanics and Experimentation
Splatoon stands in its own lane thanks to its unique ink mechanics. The movement feels extremely fluid, allowing you to traverse through the chaos in creative ways. Platforming elements redefine your options on the battlefield, leading to a fast-paced environment that only ends when the last fish falls.
Weapons and Gadgets are perfectly crafted around ink, making them distinct from the usual weapons you'll find in other shooters. It's all part of Splatoon's charm, but it also showcases the depth that these mechanics open up.
The wide variety of enemies makes for interesting skirmishes, as you'll often need to approach each one differently. How you tackle certain foes can also vary depending on the gear you bring.
For example, Scrappers are well protected from the front, using a shield that can stop most attacks. You'll usually need to shoot it from behind to take it out efficiently. However, the powerful melee weapon Splatchet can tear right through it, turning a tough encounter into an easy one.
The game is full of examples like this. It presents you with a problem, and asks you how you'd like to solve it. It's what makes experimenting so enjoyable, because when you line things up just right, the result is oh so satisfying.
Endlessly Replayable
While the gameplay loop could be viewed as repetitive, the amount of depth in its customization makes it truly enjoyable to grind. The stream of content never ends unless you want it to, as there’s an absurd amount of weapons and collectibles, each of which can be enhanced in multiple ways.
There's a nice variety of length between dungeons, making it the perfect pick up and play experience for short or long sessions. It's one of those games where you'll lose track of time and constantly find yourself saying "just one more".
Despite being designed as a single-player experience, Splatoon Raiders is almost entirely playable in multiplayer. Sure, it'll definitely skew the balance, but there's no denying it's a great time.
One highlight of co-op play is that you can take advantage of the various weapon types. Since these come from the original Splatoon games, some are more balanced for support than solo use. By playing together, you can combine everything and experience the absolute chaos in all its glory.
The Lows
No Local Co-Op is a Big Miss
Speaking of multiplayer, one clear outlier of Splatoon Raiders is the lack of local split-screen co-op. This would've been a great addition for the casual crowd, allowing players to spam raids together on a single console.
Given the shift away from its competitive roots, it would naturally be a great fit for this spin-off entry. While multiplayer does somewhat break the balance of the game, the fact that it's PvE makes it far less of an issue. Besides, the option already exists for those online, so why not extend the invitation further?
Could Definitely Use a Resource Tracker
With such an emphasis on crafting and improving gear, it's surprising that there's no way to track materials outside of the base. They did a good job providing stages to help target farm desired parts, but it would be nice if you could track them on the map and throughout your raids.
As far as quality of life features go, Splatoon Raiders does a pretty solid job overall. When you invest resources into upgrading your gear, there'll usually be the option to recover some of them back later.
It's certainly not a major issue, but I do feel like it's an oversight given the genre they are going for.
Surprising Lack of Map Diversity
The environments play a big role in both exploration and combat, especially since Splatoon has some platforming elements to its gameplay. There's always something to interact with in every scenario, and it's what helps make the movement feel so fluid.
While there are a number of individual maps, many of them feel the same, especially when hopping between the different types of stages. It’s only the biomes that make the areas look distinct, and there aren't many of them to choose from. Other than that, each location seems rather generic.
In terms of actual gameplay the maps do a solid job. As mentioned before, movement feels excellent, and there's always an ongoing amount of chaos on screen. But if I'm being picky, it would be nice to see some more variety in the landscapes. Or perhaps it's something we'll receive in a future DLC?
Our Score
9/10 (A Spin-Off Well Worth Your Time)
If you’ve ever been intrigued by Splatoon for its unique presentation and mechanics, but opted out due to its competitive nature, Splatoon Raiders is the perfect entry point into the franchise. It deeply expands upon the side modes from prior titles, giving us a well-crafted gameplay loop that rewards exploration and creativity.
While there was a brief moment where the repetition stood out, it wasn't long before I found myself back into its addicting loop. As soon as I thought I'd seen it all, the game presents the next deep mechanic before my eyes, stirring my brain with all the endless possibilities.
It's so easy to pick up and play at your own leisure, whether it be for a quick raid or a long grinding session (for myself, it's usually the latter).
Splatoon Raiders is easily one of the best games we've seen for the Nintendo Switch 2, and at the lower price of $49.99 (or $59.99 Physical), it's a very reasonable ask if you're considering it near launch.
For a game that deviates from its main entries, it carves a nice niche that could capture both existing fans and new ones. There's a real chance it becomes a mainstay alongside the core titles, and given what we already have now, I'm very optimistic for the future.
Main Reviewer: Trevor Yung (originally published July 28, 2026)
