Nintendo unveils Splatoon Raiders exclusive for Switch 2

Nintendo unveiled extensive new gameplay for its upcoming Switch 2 exclusive, Splatoon Raiders, during a dedicated Nintendo Direct broadcast on Tuesday, June 30. The 15-minute showcase, followed by a longer Nintendo Treehouse Live segment, detailed the game's shift from the franchise's traditional competitive multiplayer to a story-driven, single-player adventure with cooperative options, set for release on July 23.

The game casts players as a mechanic who crash-lands on the Spirhalite Islands with the pop trio Deep Cut-Shiver, Frye, and Big Man-from Splatoon 3. After discovering treasure on the islands, the group enlists the player to lead expeditions using an Exploration Bot equipped with a drill and radar. The core gameplay loop involves raiding various island levels to collect loot, defeat waves of Salmonid enemies, and uncover secrets, blending combat, platforming, and exploration.

A major new addition is a deep customization and progression system that several journalists who played a recent preview described as a "looter-shooter" approach. Players choose from three ink tank classes-Speed, Power, and Tactical-each granting access to unique secondary gadgets, such as a...