Splatoon Raiders

Every shot paints the floor in your hue — solo dungeon-crawl with Squid Raiders' gear-crafting hook.

Last reviewed: August 30, 2026 Patched 1mo ago

Released Jul 2026 Shooter / Adventure

Splatoon's looter loop gets an 8/10 glow-up — the raid-and-loot PvE core earns its keep

8.2 /10

Strong

Previously an Editor's pick

For you if

You want a PvE looter shooter with inking mechanics
You've 100%'d Octo Expansion and want that depth again
You play co-op campaigns with friends on Switch

Not for you if

You expect traditional competitive Splatoon multiplayer
You're bored by mission repetition after 20 hours
You need a long single-player story campaign

What players love

The loot-and-raid loop hooks fast, with co-op play keeping sessions alive past the first week.

See the reviews behind this →

Latest patch

Patched 1 months ago

Ver. 1.1.1 — When releasing a tank’s limiter, you can now release it without holding down the A Butt

What critics say

100/100WellPlayed
You know you've hit gold when your biggest criticism of a game is that you just wanted more. Between the fast-paced, technical gameplay, the depth of the build mechanics, and the irreverent design that underpins the Splatoon series, this is an experience that's shockingly hard to fault.
Read review →
96/100GamesCreed
Splatoon Raiders proves that breaking from the norm can produce something unique for a franchise that might have easily relied on iteration. This bold move adds dimension to the Splatoon universe and sets the stage for further spin-offs. Raiders, alone or with friends, is a vivid, satisfying, and shockingly rich adventure that fits alongside Nintendo's best recent releases.
Aisaka Taiga Read review →
95/100SmashPad
This is a fantastic Splatoon game, and that’s exactly what me and millions of other fans were looking for. If you’ve been wanting to experience this series but wanted a single-player focused experience, this is where you’ll want to start.
Brandon Perkins Read review →

Before You Play

Refreshed monthly

Is Splatoon Raiders pay-to-win or fair to free players?

Splatoon Raiders is a solo or co-op looter shooter spin-off with a full campaign and no competitive multiplayer, so there is no pay-to-win dynamic. The game focuses on skill-based movement, ink management, and loot drops, with progression tied to in-game gear and weapons rather than microtransactions. Reviews highlight its satisfying loop and 60 fps performance, but note late-game repetition, not monetization concerns.

Source: VGC review

Is Splatoon Raiders polished at launch or does it feel rushed?

Splatoon Raiders is polished at launch, with solid technical performance and a well-designed core loop. Tom's Guide notes 'rock-solid 60 fps performance' and 'top-tier movement,' while GamingBolt highlights its 'technical polish.' The few late-game missions have 'mild repetition' (Tom's Guide), but there are no reports of bugs or unfinished content. IGN's review, which logged 40+ hours, also calls it 'incredibly well-designed.' Overall, it feels complete and well-tuned, not rushed.

Source: Tom's Guide Review

Does Splatoon Raiders reward solo play or expect a squad?

Splatoon Raiders is designed to be fully playable solo, with the entire campaign accessible without friends. While the campaign is fully playable solo, co-op mode lets you tackle missions with a squad, and the game supports both styles. It's a looter-shooter with bite-sized raids you can pick up and play solo or with friends, so solo play is rewarded and squad play is optional.

Source: SportsRant India Times

Is Splatoon Raiders beginner-friendly, or does it have a steep learning curve?

Splatoon Raiders is more accessible than the mainline games, serving as a solid introduction to the series' mechanics. Polygon notes it teaches you the fundamentals better than Splatoon 3, and Tom's Guide highlights its bite-sized raids perfect for pick-up-and-play sessions. However, the campaign can still ramp up in difficulty, and you'll need to experiment with sub-weapon and primary weapon combos to find your stride. Beginners should check their gear after each run and let the game auto-select mods if they're unsure.

Source: Polygon

How welcoming is the Splatoon Raiders community to new players?

The Splatoon Raiders community is generally welcoming to newcomers, as the game itself is designed to respect your time with quick matches and minimal downtime. While some players on forums like Squidboards discuss toxicity in the broader Splatoon community, this entry's fast pacing and helpful beginner tips make it easy for first-timers to jump in. Overall, new players report a positive experience, with no significant barriers to entry.

Source: Plymode News