Nintendo has officially splashed back onto the scene with Splatoon Raiders, a bold new spinoff Splatoon game heading exclusively to the Nintendo Switch 2 this summer. Following its initial announcement last year, today's trailer — a proper release date trailer — has stirred up massive excitement by confirming the game's launch on 23rd July and offering the clearest look yet at what raiders can expect.
Here's a complete breakdown of what Splatoon Raiders is, what makes it special, and why it could be one of the most important Switch 2 releases of the year.
Splatoon Raiders is a new cooperative Splatoon game set in the Mysterious Spirhalite Islands. Launching 23rd July on Switch 2, it casts players in the role of a mechanic teaming up with the Deep Cut trio — Shiver, Frye, and Big Man — for treasure-hunting raids.
The release date trailer reveals that players will step into the role of a mechanic — a brand-new protagonist who teams up with the beloved Deep Cut trio (Shiver, Frye, and Big Man) to uncover the secrets hidden across the islands. For fans of the series, it's a refreshing shift — and for newcomers, it might be the most accessible entry yet.
You can learn more about the wider franchise on Nintendo's official Splatoon hub.
The biggest twist in Splatoon Raiders is the focus on raids rather than competitive arenas. Based on today's trailer, players will scour the Mysterious Spirhalite Islands for hidden caches, tally splat scores of enemies during combat encounters, and take down large-scale boss raids using the franchise's signature ink-based arsenal. New weapons — some exclusive to this Splatoon game — expand the sandbox beyond anything seen before.
Coverage from outlets like IGN and GameSpot has highlighted the trailer's distinct "expedition crew" feel. It's a departure from the competitive scene, but still unmistakably Splatoon.
The iconic Deep Cut idol group takes center stage in Splatoon Raiders. Shiver brings her cool-headed leadership, Frye provides chaotic energy, and Big Man rounds out the trio with his cheerful "Ay!" The three are no longer just news anchors — they're active participants in the raids, fighting alongside you and reacting to discoveries in real time.
Character customization — a staple of the series — returns as well, letting players personalize their mechanic protagonist before heading out on the hunt. Expect the signature Splatoon aesthetic to be front and center: bright colors, punk-inspired fashion, and a soundtrack that practically guarantees a few earworms.
Splatoon Raiders is confirmed as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, launching on 23rd July via the Nintendo eShop and at retail. The news was made official with today's release date trailer, following the initial announcement that dropped last year. Reporting from Men's Journal notes this makes it one of the summer's headline Switch 2 titles — sitting alongside upcoming releases from flagship franchises like Mario and The Legend of Zelda.
The Switch 2 itself offers significantly upgraded performance over the original Switch, with improved visuals, faster load times, and enhanced online play. For more details on the console's capabilities, see The Verge's Switch 2 coverage.
Since its debut in 2015, the Splatoon game series has grown into one of Nintendo's most important IPs, sitting comfortably in the same tier as Mario, Yoshi, and The Legend of Zelda. Splatoon 2 and Splatoon 3 each sold tens of millions of units, and the Deep Cut trio — introduced in Splatoon 3 — quickly became fan favorites.
Splatoon Raiders marks the series' first true spinoff of this scale. Analyses from outlets like Polygon have previously noted that Splatoon's universe could support more than just competitive shooters, and Raiders — with its Mysterious Spirhalite Islands setting, mechanic protagonist, and PvE raids — looks like the clearest proof yet.
The Nintendo Switch 2 launch lineup has already set a high bar with heavy-hitters from the Mario and Legend of Zelda families, but Splatoon Raiders represents something different: a statement that Nintendo is willing to evolve its biggest franchises rather than just port them forward. A treasure-hunting Splatoon game is a creative swing — and if it lands, it could pave the way for more genre experiments.
For Switch 2 owners, the 23rd July release also fills an important gap in the summer calendar. Analysts at Eurogamer have pointed out that Nintendo's early Switch 2 strategy focuses on delivering experiences that couldn't exist on the original Switch. Splatoon Raiders, with its richer environments, new weapons, and upgraded visuals, fits that mold neatly.
Splatoon Raiders is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing releases on the Nintendo Switch 2 calendar. By pivoting from competitive shooting to cooperative raids through the Mysterious Spirhalite Islands — and by handing the spotlight to the Deep Cut trio of Shiver, Frye, and Big Man — Nintendo is betting that the charm of the Splatoon game universe can carry an entirely new kind of adventure.
Mark 23rd July on your calendar, keep an eye on the Nintendo eShop for pre-orders, and get ready to take on the role of a mechanic in the biggest splat-fueled treasure hunt yet.
Emerson Gray · Editor
Editor
