Nintendo releases Splatoon Raiders on Switch 2 July 23 2026

Nintendo is set to launch "Splatoon Raiders," its first major spinoff for the popular ink-based franchise, on July 23, 2026, for the Nintendo Switch 2. The game marks a significant departure from the series' traditional multiplayer-focused formula, centering instead on a single-player, loot-driven adventure where players battle hordes of Salmonid enemies.

The story casts players as a customizable character known as the Mechanic, who pilots a helicopter for the idol group Deep Cut. After crash-landing on the mysterious Spirhalite Islands, the crew decides to hunt for treasure hidden across the archipelago, setting up a home base and embarking on raids to collect valuable Spirhalite Shards and other loot. While the plot is straightforward, it serves to flesh out the personalities of the Deep Cut members.

The core gameplay loop involves undertaking raids across linear and open maps. Players, often accompanied by a Deep Cut member in an Exploration Bot, must clear areas of Salmonids to allow their partner to drill for shards. Combat utilizes the series' familiar mechanics, including a variety of weapons like Splattershots, Rollers, and paint-dealing Katanas, with the ability to swim...