Nintendo is swapping ranked turf wars for treasure hunting. Splatoon Raiders, a single-player-focused spin-off launching exclusively on Switch 2 on July 23, trades competitive multiplayer for exploration, loot collection, and Salmonid swarms.
During a dedicated Direct broadcast on June 30, Nintendo revealed a game built around raiding the Spirhalite Islands, zones packed with varied terrain, underground dungeons, restricted facilities, and bottomless pits. Players play as a mechanic working alongside Deep Cut (Shiver, Frye, and Big Man) rather than as an Inkling on the front lines of a Turf War.
The twist: more than 100 weapon variations, three tank types (Speed, Power, and Tactical), and customizable gadgets that can be upgraded with parts found during expeditions. Gadgets range from the Blast Boot (quick leaps) and Dash Bomb (explosive movement) to the Shot Pot (deployable turret) and Tether Wail (laser offense).
Each tank equips gadgets differently, encouraging loadout experimentation.
Salmonids remain the primary threat. Lesser Salmonids swarm in groups, Boss Salmonids bring unique weaknesses, and Seasoned Salmonids hit harder.
Defeating bosses rewards Mega Power Eggs that fuel the Exploration Bot, a Deep Cut-controlled mech that detects treasure and provides combat support.
Progression carries forward even after defeat. Players keep weapons and salvage collected during raids, and difficulty settings (Tourist, Raider, Survivalist) adjust enemy toughness without changing loot quality. The game supports up to four players online or via local wireless, with a Call for Help feature letting solo players request temporary backup.
Back at the hideout ship, Shiver crafts new gadgets in the Gadget Workshop, Frye upgrades or breaks down weapons in the Weapon Stash, and Big Man catalogs intel. Players can build facilities to further optimize their loadouts.
Nintendo confirmed Splatoon Raiders will also launch alongside new Joy-Con 2 controller colors inspired by Deep Cut. A collaboration Splatfest themed around the game runs in Splatoon 3 from July 10 through July 12.
Compatible Splatoon amiibo unlock unique outfits, and new Splatoon Raiders amiibo figures are on the way. Hidden Salmonid Relics scattered across the islands reportedly carry strange powers, adding another layer of incentive for completionists.
