Nintendo did not wait for a big Direct moment this time. Instead, Splatoon Raiders suddenly resurfaced with a new gameplay trailer, a confirmed release date, and fresh amiibo news for fans who still have Deep Cut brainrot.
Splatoon Raiders launches for Nintendo Switch 2 on July 23, 2026. On the same day, Nintendo will also release new amiibo figures for Big Man, Frye, and Shiver, the Deep Cut trio first introduced in Splatoon 3.
For Malaysia and SEA players, this is the kind of release date that matters early. Switch 2 stock, physical game copies, and amiibo availability can be a bit chaotic around launch windows here, especially if local retailers are depending on regional allocations or imported units. No Malaysia pricing was mentioned in the source material, so for now, the important thing is the date: late July 2026.
What Is Splatoon Raiders About?
Unlike the usual PvP-heavy Splatoon focus, Splatoon Raiders is built around fighting Salmonids, hunting treasure, and exploring the Spirhalite Islands. Players take on the role of a customisable Mechanic avatar, and the trailer opens by showing that character creation process before moving into actual combat and exploration.
The game can be played solo, but multiplayer is also supported. Players can go in alone or team up with up to three others through local or online multiplayer. That flexibility is honestly a smart move for SEA, where Splatoon fans may not always have a full squad online at the same time. If your friends are busy grinding another game or stuck in ranked elsewhere, you can still progress solo.
When playing alone, the Mechanic can fight alongside one of the Deep Cut members. Big Man, Frye, and Shiver can support the player through bots that help during battles across different parts of the islands.
Crafting, Gadgets, and Salmonid Chaos
The trailer is fully gameplay-focused, and it gives a clearer look at the loop Nintendo is going for. Players explore, battle Salmonids, face bosses, collect materials, and gather Spirhalite Shards. These resources are then used to build gadgets that help during fights and exploration.
Some of these tools work like weapons you equip, while others can be placed on the field. One confirmed example is the Splatchet. Players can also tinker with gadgets to improve their capabilities, which suggests Raiders may have more of a progression and build-crafting angle than older Splatoon fans might expect.
The treasure-hunting side is also part of the hook. Players can chase relics and sell them for money, giving the game a nice loop beyond just clearing waves of enemies. If Nintendo balances this properly, Splatoon Raiders could become that “one more run” kind of co-op game — dangerous for weekends, bro.
Deep Cut Fans Are Eating Good
Deep Cut debuted in Splatoon 3, where Big Man, Frye, and Shiver served as announcers and Splatfest leaders. Their arrival changed the Splatfest format by giving players three teams to choose from instead of the two-sided format used in the first two Splatoon games.
Now, they are front and centre again. Between their in-game support role and the same-day amiibo release, Nintendo clearly knows this trio has pulling power.
For Malaysian Splatoon fans, the big question now is simple: digital first, physical copy hunting, or amiibo preorder panic? Either way, July 23, 2026 is the date to circle.
Source: Siliconera