Splatoon Raiders: Nintendo Switch 2 strikes hard with the best game in the series

Splatoon Raiders arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 as the first entry focused on solo play—a new ambition for the franchise. Anime News Network notes that the game hopes to attract new players, but also raises the question: has it lost part of its identity along the way?

What the Critics Say

Splatoon Raiders (Nintendo Switch 2) marks a turning point in the franchise: it's the first Splatoon game centered on solo play, a risky bet for a series built around multiplayer Turf Wars.

Anime News Network—a publication specializing in Japanese media—dedicates a review to it, and the assessment is mixed: while the game succeeds in drawing in new players with its structured solo mode, the question of the franchise’s identity arises. The Splatoon series has always been the colorful, competitive, quintessentially Japanese third-person shooter—and Raiders reinvents the concept enough that some wonder if its essence remains intact.

What the Franchise Brings

Splatoon remains one of Nintendo’s most distinctive offerings:

• Inkling and Octoling characters, instantly recognizable Japanese pop aesthetics
• A polished electro-J-pop soundtrack rooted in Japanese musical culture
• A shooter gameplay that appears accessible on the surface, with deep competitive mechanics under the hood

Raiders retains these visual and auditory pillars. It’s the gameplay direction—solo vs. multiplayer—that’s the gamble.

Why It’s Still Worth Considering Despite the Nuance

A full solo Splatoon experience is something the community has long awaited: previous Hero Mode segments were fine, but short. If Raiders delivers on solo longevity and level design, it could be the perfect entry point for those intimidated by multiplayer.

Anime News Network’s reservations are a real concern to watch: will longtime fans find what they’re looking for in a game that shifts the series’ focus?

Who Should Play It

Fans of colorful shooters and Japanese culture, especially Nintendo Switch 2 players seeking a reason to dive into the franchise without jumping into multiplayer. Verdict pending further hands-on time.