Splatoon Raiders marks the biggest structural shift the series has taken since its debut. Instead of building the experience around competitive Turf War matches, Nintendo is sending players on a raid based expedition across a brand new archipelago, backed by a full loot and progression system. The game launches on Nintendo Switch 2 on July 23, 2026, and early details point to a hybrid of looter shooter mechanics and cooperative PvE combat that feels closer to Salmon Run than anything seen in mainline Splatoon entries.
Here is a full breakdown of what has been confirmed so far, including the story setup, weapon and gadget systems, co-op structure, and progression loop.
A Story Driven Expedition Across the Spirhalite Islands
Splatoon Raiders trades competitive lobbies for a narrative campaign built around exploration.
Players control a customizable Mechanic who joins Deep Cut, made up of Shiver, Frye, and Big Man, on a treasure hunting mission across the Spirhalite Islands. Each island has its own environment, hidden paths, and resource pockets, and the campaign gradually opens up more dangerous missions as players uncover the mystery behind the islands. Salmonids return as the primary enemy threat, but instead of appearing only in wave based modes, they now show up throughout story missions with combat encounters that vary by location.
Weapons, Gadgets, and Ink Tanks Explained
Combat still runs on the franchise’s ink based weapon classes, but Raiders adds several new systems on top of it.
There are more than 100 weapons in the game, spread across different levels and rarities, with some carrying passive abilities. Equipment choices branch out from there through three Ink Tanks, the Speed Tank, Power Tank, and Tactical Tank, each of which unlocks its own pool of Gadgets.
| Ink Tank | Playstyle Focus | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Speed Tank | Mobility skills like dashes and jumps | Fast repositioning paired with quick strikes |
| Power Tank | Close range combat | Breaks through heavy enemy defenses |
| Tactical Tank | Ranged utility | Summonable weapons that fight alongside the player |
Players can equip two Gadgets at a time early on, with a third slot unlocking later. Gadget Parts add further customization, covering damage buffs, AoE range, stop duration, and throw quantity, and each part uses an equip cost measured in slots.
Relic Powers round out the loadout. These are passive buffs collected from Salmonid Relics during raids, with two slots available early and up to five unlockable over time. Relic Value collected this way also feeds into a title rank system, where titles like Treasure Hunter grant bonuses such as increased Spirhalite Shard yield.
Bot Buddy Special Abilities
Bot Buddies replace the traditional Special Gauge from competitive Splatoon.
Players choose a companion, either Frye or Shiver, who joins the raid and provides a Showstopper ability once charged.
| Bot Buddy | Ability Style | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Big Man Bot | Kraken style charge attack | Topples enemies with physical force |
| Shiver Bot | Killer Whale and Reef Slider variant | Long range piercing damage with a sliding explosive finish |
| Frye Bot | Area of effect ink storms | Crowd control across grouped enemies |
Splatoon Raiders Co-op: Online and Local Options
Splatoon Raiders is built as a primarily single-player campaign, but Nintendo has confirmed full cooperative support.
Online co-op supports up to four players, and the structure resembles Monster Hunter more than past Splatoon titles. One player hosts the session, and the group progresses through that host’s story missions and island discoveries. Enemy difficulty scales dynamically based on the average team level, which lets higher level players group with newer friends without trivializing the raid or leaving lower level players overwhelmed. Players can also drop in to assist others through a request system, earning a Help Bonus of weapons or gadget parts for doing so.
Local multiplayer is also supported, but only through wireless connections between separate consoles. Each participant needs their own Nintendo Switch 2 and a copy of the game, since local co-op cannot be played on a single system. Splatoon Raiders does not support Nintendo’s GameShare feature, so players on an original Switch console cannot join a session through that method.
Progression, the Dock Area, and Gear Upgrades
Between raids, players return to a central hub called the Dock Area to manage gear and interact with Deep Cut.
Unlike the roguelike structure of the Side Order DLC, where stats reset between runs, Splatoon Raiders uses long-term progression. Treasure collected during raids upgrades the Dock itself, which unlocks higher tier vendors, new weapon blueprints, and access to harder raid tiers. Weapons can be upgraded using Spirhalite Shards, unwanted gear can be scrapped for materials, and Gadgets can be crafted from parts collected from enemies.
Character customization also expands here, covering weapon level, Relic Powers, Ink Tank size, and cosmetic style. Larger Ink Tanks increase sustained fire capability but reduce swim speed and mobility, which can make it harder to dodge attacks from larger raid bosses on later islands.
Amiibo Support and Switch 2 Enhancements
Nintendo has confirmed a new wave of Amiibo tied specifically to Splatoon Raiders, releasing alongside the game on July 23, 2026. The figures feature Shiver, Frye, and Big Man in Raider themed attire and are priced at roughly $25 each, unlocking exclusive cosmetic gear and potential Bot Buddy skins.
Players with existing Splatoon 3 save data may also receive carryover cosmetics or an early unlock for a special weapon, though this has not been officially confirmed in full. The game is expected to take advantage of Nintendo Switch 2 hardware improvements for smoother framerates during four-player online sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Splatoon Raiders a multiplayer game?
Splatoon Raiders is primarily a story-driven single-player game, but it includes both local and online co-op for up to four players.
What is the setting of Splatoon Raiders?
The game takes place across the Spirhalite Islands, where players search for treasure while uncovering the islands’ mysteries alongside Deep Cut.
Can I play Splatoon Raiders co-op with random players?
Yes. The game includes a matchmaking system for joining open raid sessions with other players online, though playing with a coordinated group is recommended for higher difficulty content.
Does Splatoon Raiders have microtransactions?
No. Weapons, Gadgets, and Relic Powers are earned entirely through gameplay, exploration, and completing raids.
When does Splatoon Raiders release?
Splatoon Raiders launches on July 23, 2026, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2.
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