After years of rumors, leaks, and the kind of speculative hype that only a Nintendo direct can truly satisfy, Splatoon Raiders is here on the Switch 2. And it’s not just a port. It’s not just a sequel. It’s the first real statement of intent for Nintendo’s new hardware, and it lands with all the ink-splattering, turf-covering confidence you’d hope for from a franchise that has quietly become one of the company’s most reliable tentpoles.
The headline is simple: this is the best single-player campaign Splatoon has ever had, paired with a reworked Salmon Run that finally feels like a full-fledged multiplayer mode rather than a side attraction. If you were hoping for a reason to justify that Switch 2 pre-order, here it is.
A Solo Campaign That Finally Gets It
Let’s be honest: Splatoon’s single-player offerings have always been good, but they’ve also felt like training wheels for the real action online. Splatoon 2’s Octo Expansion was a step in the right direction—more challenge, more personality—but Raiders takes that blueprint and builds a skyscraper on top of it. The campaign is structured around a series of open-ended “raid” missions, each set in a distinct biome that feels less like a test chamber and more like a miniature world.
You’re not just shooting ink and racing to the goal. Objectives range from stealth-based infiltration (yes, sneaking in squid form actually matters now) to multi-phase boss fights that require real environmental awareness. The game trusts you to figure things out, and it rewards experimentation with hidden paths, upgradeable gear, and lore fragments that flesh out the world without bogging down the pace. It’s the kind of campaign you’d happily replay for the level design alone.
Salmon Run Gets the Spotlight It Deserves
On the multiplayer side, Salmon Run has been rebuilt from the ground up. The mode that started as a limited-time co-op horde mode in Splatoon 2 and became a permanent fixture in Splatoon 3 is now the star of the show. Raiders introduces new boss Salmonids, dynamic hazard shifts (think weather effects that change mid-wave), and a progression system that actually ties into the main game’s economy. You’re not grinding for cosmetic tokens you’ll never use—you’re earning gear that matters in both PvP and PvE.
The matchmaking is faster, too, thanks to the Switch 2’s improved networking hardware. And the new “Raid” variant—a four-player co-op mode where you and your squad tackle a gauntlet of mini-bosses before facing a giant King Salmonid—is the most fun I’ve had with Splatoon’s multiplayer since the original game launched. It’s chaotic, strategic, and deeply satisfying when a plan comes together.
Why This Matters for Nintendo’s Next Chapter
Here’s the thing: Splatoon Raiders isn’t just a great game. It’s a signal. Nintendo has historically been cautious about iterating on its core franchises for new hardware—remember how long it took for a proper Mario 3D World sequel? But Raiders launches day-and-date with the Switch 2, and it’s built from the ground up to showcase the system’s strengths: faster load times, higher resolution, and a new “Gyro+” control scheme that makes precise aiming feel effortless.
From a business perspective, this is Nintendo planting a flag. The Switch 2 needs a killer app that isn’t just a Zelda port or a Mario Kart remaster. Splatoon has the broadest demographic appeal of any Nintendo IP outside of the big two—it’s competitive, it’s colorful, and it’s uniquely suited to online play. By making Raiders the flagship launch title, Nintendo is betting that the next generation of its console will be defined by live-service engagement, not just single-player nostalgia.
The Bigger Picture: A New Competitive Landscape
It’s no coincidence that Splatoon Raiders arrives at a time when the industry is still reeling from layoffs and studio closures. Nintendo has been relatively insulated from the bloodbath, but the company isn’t immune to the pressure to grow. Raiders is designed to be a long-term platform: seasonal content, cross-play with the original Switch (confirmed in a recent investor briefing), and a battle pass that doesn’t feel predatory. It’s Nintendo’s answer to Fortnite and Call of Duty, but on their own terms.
And it works. The game feels like a live service without the grind fatigue. You can jump in for a single Salmon Run session and feel satisfied, or spend an evening climbing the ranked ladder in Turf War. The balance between casual and competitive is the tightest it’s ever been—a testament to a team that has spent nearly a decade iterating on a single formula.
What’s Next
Nintendo has already announced the first major content update for Splatoon Raiders—a new map pack and a seasonal event called “Inktober” that adds limited-time modes and exclusive gear. The game’s launch window is also the first test of the Switch 2’s online infrastructure at scale. If the servers hold, and if the player base stays engaged through the holiday season, Raiders will be the foundation Nintendo builds its next generation on.
For now, it’s enough to say that Splatoon Raiders delivers on every promise the franchise has ever made. The solo campaign is a genuine joy to explore, and Salmon Run has finally become the co-op experience we always knew it could be. If you own a Switch 2, this is the game you buy first. If you don’t own a Switch 2 yet—well, you might want to start saving.
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