Splatoon Raiders: First Look at Nintendo’s Bold New Spin-Off for Switch 2
Nintendo has officially launched a new era for the Splatoon franchise with the surprise announcement of Splatoon Raiders, an all-new spin-off title set to debut exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2. The reveal—shared via a cinematic teaser on the Nintendo Today! app—marks the first standalone adventure outside the core Splatoon series, promising a fresh narrative and gameplay direction while staying true to the series’ vibrant, ink-slinging roots.
Meet the Protagonist: The Mysterious Mechanic
At the heart of Splatoon Raiders is a newly introduced playable character—an expert mechanic with a shadowy past and a knack for repurposing enemy tech. Clad in a weathered work suit, wielding a customized ink tank strapped to a rugged, self-propelled robot companion, the protagonist is both inventor and warrior. Their journey begins when they team up with the legendary Deep Cut trio—a ragtag crew of legendary splat-savvy rebels known for uncovering ancient Splatoon lore and forgotten ink dynasties.
"That ink tank and walking robot look rather intriguing, wouldn't you say?"
— Splatoon NA (@SplatoonNA), June 10, 2025
The character’s design blends industrial grit with the series’ signature flair, hinting at a story rich in lore, invention, and rebellion against an unknown force threatening the balance of the ink world.
The Spirhalite Islands: A World of Mystery and Innovation
The game’s primary setting, the Spirhalite Islands, is a sprawling archipelago shrouded in myth. Early investigations by Nintendo’s internal teams have uncovered:
- A floating, ship-like base that serves as the mechanic’s mobile workshop and command center—complete with a gravity-defying hangar and a cybernetic armory.
- An island rumored to be crystallized ink, where gravity shifts based on ink color and player movement.
- Strange, ancient machinery fused with organic splat-technology, suggesting a pre-Splatoon civilization once thrived here.
These findings point toward a deep lore arc involving lost technologies, forgotten ink gods, and the possibility of a long-dormant war that predates the Great Turf War.
Gameplay Teases: A Hybrid of Combat, Crafting, and Exploration
While full details remain under wraps, Splatoon Raiders appears to blend:
- Third-person action combat, with a focus on using tools and gadgets (like ink-powered drones and grappling hooks) to outmaneuver foes.
- Crafting and customization, allowing players to build and upgrade their robot companion and weapon kits from salvaged parts.
- Exploration-driven puzzles and environmental challenges, suggesting a more platforming-focused approach than previous Splatoon entries.
- Co-op progression, with the Deep Cut trio offering unique abilities and unlockable story paths based on player choices.
Nintendo has confirmed that the game will feature dynamic squad-based missions, where players can swap between the mechanic and their AI-controlled allies mid-mission to adapt to combat or solve environmental puzzles.
June 12: A Big Day for Splatoon Fans
In exciting news for fans of the main series, Splatoon 3 is receiving a massive free update (v10.0.0) on June 12, 2025. This update brings a wave of new content and enhancements, particularly optimized for the Switch 2:
- 30 new weapon kits from the Barazushi and Emberz brands (collectively known as the Splatlands Collection), including fan-favorite hybrid weapons and limited-edition finishes.
- The return of Urchin Underpass, a beloved classic stage from the original Splatoon on Wii U—now rebuilt with modern graphics and dynamic lighting.
- Visual and performance upgrades for Switch 2 players, including higher-resolution textures, smoother frame rates, and improved draw distances in major zones like Splatsville and the Grand Festival Grounds.
- Cross-play support preserved between Switch 1 and Switch 2, ensuring a seamless multiplayer experience.
- New in-game badges, including achievement-based rewards for completing unique challenges (e.g., "Ink Imposter" for disguising as an enemy).
- Increased weapon Freshness caps, allowing players to use their favorite weapons for longer without penalties.
- New stat: Series Weapon Power (SWP) – a competitive metric in Anarchy Battle (Series) that tracks player effectiveness per weapon based on win/loss record. This ensures fair matchmaking, encourages experimentation, and rewards mastery.
What’s Next?
While Splatoon Raiders currently has no confirmed release date, Nintendo has urged fans to "stay tuned" for more updates throughout 2025. The game is expected to launch as a first-party exclusive title for the Switch 2, with strong hints that it may feature exclusive mechanics and platform-specific features not available on older hardware.
With the announcement of a new protagonist, a richly detailed world, and a slew of enhancements to the main series, Splatoon Raiders isn’t just a spin-off—it’s a bold evolution of the franchise’s identity.
“The future of ink isn’t just about who squirts first. It’s about who builds the next world.”
— Nintendo Global Marketing, June 10, 2025
Keep your ink tanks full—and your curiosity sharper than a Splat Roller. The Spirhalite Islands await. 🎮💥🌊