Nintendo made a splash by unexpectedly announcing Splatoon Raiders, a new spin-off of the popular franchise coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch 2. The announcement was made outside the usual Nintendo Direct broadcasts, creating a big buzz among series fans.

In Splatoon Raiders, players take on the role of a mechanic who, after a helicopter crash, is stranded alongside the members of the Surimi Clan on the mysterious Spirhalite Islands. The game moves away from the classic competitive multiplayer to offer a single-player adventure focused on exploration, action, and investigation in a fresh setting within the Splatoon universe.

The reveal trailer shows the protagonist exploring unknown landscapes accompanied by a quadruped robot, while the Surimi Clan adapts to the new circumstances with alternative outfits and survival mechanics. Nintendo has not yet disclosed the release date or detailed gameplay information but confirmed the title is a full exclusive for Switch 2 with more details to come.

Splatoon 3 update 10.0.0

The announcement of Splatoon Raiders came alongside update 10.0.0 for Splatoon 3, adding new weapons, graphical and technical improvements for the Nintendo Switch 2 version, plus new matchmaking features and extra content for players on both consoles.

Switch 2 players will enjoy enhanced visuals and smoother performance in areas like Splatsville and the Grand Festival Grounds, while online play remains cross-compatible between Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.

With Splatoon Raiders, Nintendo broadens the universe of its hit franchise by offering a different experience grounded in narrative and exploration, strengthening the exclusive game catalog for Nintendo Switch 2 in the coming months.