Nintendo’s ink-slinging chaos is going solo again, but this time it is not just another campaign mode tucked inside a mainline Splatoon game.
Splatoon Raiders, the new single-player-focused spinoff for Nintendo Switch 2, will launch on July 23, 2026. Nintendo confirmed the date alongside a fresh trailer showing more of how this treasure-hunting adventure actually plays.
Instead of the usual Turf War-first setup, Splatoon Raiders sends players to the Spirhalite Islands, where the main job is hunting for treasure while dealing with Salmonids — yes, the same aggressive fishy enemies Splatoon fans know from Salmon Run in Splatoon 2 and Splatoon 3.
This time, players step into the role of a mechanic working with Deep Cut, the Splatoon 3 trio made up of Frye, Shiver, and Big Man. That setup already gives the game a different flavour. Rather than only spraying ink and pushing objectives, Raiders looks more like a messy DIY adventure where building weird gear is part of the fun.
From Nintendo’s new trailer, crafting seems to be a big pillar. Players can put together all kinds of strange tools and paint-based machines, including turrets, melee weapons, tanks, gadgets, and relic-powered equipment. Your mechanic character is also customizable, so this looks like a more personal Splatoon experience compared to the usual multiplayer-first games.
The whole vibe feels like Splatoon mixed with scavenging, tinkering, and chaotic island exploration. You are not just picking a weapon loadout and jumping into a match — you are salvaging materials, building odd machines, and upgrading your kit to survive whatever the Spirhalite Islands throw at you.
For Malaysia and SEA players, the big thing here is that Splatoon Raiders could be one of the early Switch 2 games that makes the new console feel more than just a hardware refresh. Splatoon has always had a strong fanbase among Nintendo players, but its competitive multiplayer focus can be a bit intimidating if you are not already deep into the meta. A dedicated single-player spinoff makes the series easier to jump into, especially for players who enjoy the art style and world but do not want to grind online lobbies every night.
Nintendo has announced US pricing for now: $49.99 for the digital version and $59.99 for the physical version. No official Malaysia pricing was mentioned in the source material, so local buyers will need to wait for eShop regional pricing or retailer/import listings closer to launch. Expect physical copies to be especially relevant here, because many Malaysian Nintendo fans still buy through local game shops, Shopee, Lazada, and imported stock.
Nintendo is also dropping three new Splatoon Raiders amiibo on the same day: Frye, Shiver, and Big Man in their Raiders versions. Each amiibo is priced at $24.99 in the US. Deep Cut already received amiibo figures back in 2023 for Splatoon 3, so these are more for collectors who want the new designs rather than first-time representation.
Interestingly, Nintendo first revealed Splatoon Raiders last June in a pretty low-key way through the Nintendo Today app. Now that it has a proper release date and gameplay showcase, it feels like one of the more interesting Switch 2 wildcards for 2026.
If you are a Splatoon fan in Malaysia, this one is worth watching — not because it replaces the multiplayer grind, but because it could finally give the series a meatier solo adventure with that same stylish, chaotic energy.
Source: Polygon