Splatoon Raiders Preview: Nintendo’s Biggest Splatoon

Splatoon Raiders Preview: Nintendo Takes Splatoon in a Bold New Direction

For years, the Splatoon series has been known for fast-paced multiplayer battles, colorful maps, and competitive Turf Wars. That’s exactly why Splatoon Raiders feels like such a surprising move from Nintendo.

Instead of focusing on player-versus-player combat, Splatoon Raiders shifts the franchise toward action RPG gameplay, cooperative missions, character progression, and loot-driven rewards. Based on everything revealed so far, this could be the biggest gameplay change the series has ever seen.

Launching exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on July 23, 2026, Splatoon Raiders looks less like a traditional Splatoon game and more like a cooperative adventure built around exploration, upgrades, and long-term progression.

A New Story Featuring Deep Cut

The adventure begins with Deep Cut members Shiver, Frye, and Big Man traveling toward the mysterious Spirhalite Islands.

Things quickly go wrong when their aircraft crashes, leaving the group stranded far from home.

Rather than immediately searching for a way back, the crew establishes a floating base of operations and begins exploring the surrounding islands in search of treasure, resources, and answers about the strange anomaly that brought them there.

Players take control of a new character known as The Mechanic, who serves as the main playable hero throughout the campaign.

Splatoon Finally Embraces RPG Progression

One of the most exciting parts of Splatoon Raiders is its progression system.

Previous Splatoon story modes focused mainly on completing levels and unlocking a few upgrades along the way. Raiders goes much further by introducing RPG-style character development.

Players can choose between different Ink Tank classes that function similarly to character classes in traditional RPGs.

Speed Tank

Players who enjoy mobility and aggressive gameplay will likely prefer the Speed Tank.

This class focuses on movement, fast attacks, and abilities that allow players to quickly enter and exit combat situations.

Power Tank

The Power Tank is built for players who want maximum damage output.

Heavy weapons become especially effective with this class, making it ideal for taking down large enemy groups and powerful bosses.

Tactical Tank

The Tactical Tank focuses on strategy and support.

Players can deploy defensive structures, automated turrets, and other utility tools that help control the battlefield.

More Than 100 Weapons to Collect

Unlike previous Splatoon games, weapons in Raiders are not fixed.

Instead, weapons drop throughout missions and can feature different stats, bonuses, and perks.

That means two players using the same weapon type may end up with completely different versions.

Some weapons may improve ink efficiency, while others could boost gadget damage or increase survivability.

This system adds replay value and encourages players to continue hunting for stronger equipment.

Gadgets and Showstopper Abilities

Customization doesn’t stop with weapons.

Players can craft gadgets using materials collected during missions.

These gadgets provide additional abilities and can be upgraded through modification slots discovered during exploration.

Each character can also equip powerful Showstopper abilities inspired by Deep Cut.

These special attacks can dramatically change the outcome of difficult battles and provide a satisfying payoff during intense combat encounters.

Cooperative Gameplay Takes Center Stage

One of the biggest changes in Splatoon Raiders is its emphasis on cooperative play.

The game supports up to four players, allowing friends to tackle missions together.

Different class combinations create opportunities for team-based strategies.

For example:

• A Tactical Tank can defend objectives.
• A Power Tank can focus on boss damage.
• A Speed Tank can gather resources and rescue teammates.

This approach makes teamwork feel more meaningful than in previous Splatoon campaigns.

Is Splatoon Raiders Open World?

Not exactly.

Early trailers led some players to believe the game would feature a large open-world environment.

However, current gameplay information suggests a mission-based structure.

Players will travel to different island locations, complete objectives, gather resources, and defend against enemy attacks before returning to their base.

This creates a more focused experience while still allowing exploration.

Why Splatoon Raiders Could Be Important for Nintendo

Nintendo rarely makes dramatic changes to its biggest franchises.

That’s why Splatoon Raiders stands out.

Rather than simply releasing another story campaign, Nintendo appears to be testing whether the Splatoon universe can support deeper progression systems, cooperative gameplay, and long-term character building.

If successful, Raiders could influence future Splatoon games and potentially open the door for more RPG-inspired experiences in the series.

Final Thoughts

Splatoon Raiders looks like one of the most ambitious projects Nintendo has attempted with the Splatoon franchise.

The combination of loot-based progression, customizable classes, cooperative gameplay, and over 100 collectible weapons gives players far more freedom than previous entries.

For longtime Splatoon fans, it offers a completely different way to experience the world they already love.

For newcomers, it may become one of the most accessible entry points into the franchise.

Either way, Splatoon Raiders is shaping up to be one of the most interesting Nintendo Switch 2 releases to watch in 2026.

FAQ

What is Splatoon Raiders?

Splatoon Raiders is a cooperative action RPG set in the Splatoon universe. It features character progression, loot collection, class systems, and team-based gameplay.

When is Splatoon Raiders releasing?

Splatoon Raiders is scheduled to launch on July 23, 2026, exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.

Can you play Splatoon Raiders solo?

Yes. The game supports solo play, but players can also team up with up to three additional players in cooperative mode.

How many classes are available?

Players can choose from three Ink Tank classes: Speed Tank, Power Tank, and Tactical Tank.

Does Splatoon Raiders have random loot?

Yes. Weapons can drop with different levels, stats, and perks, creating a loot-based progression system.

Is Splatoon Raiders open world?

No. Current gameplay details suggest a mission-based structure rather than a fully open-world design.