Splatoon Raiders Gets First Reviews—Critics Praised Nintendo’s Latest Spin-Off

On July 23, 2026, Splatoon Raiders, the series’ first spin-off and the fourth overall, will release exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2. Unlike the first three installments, this new title shifts the focus from competitive multiplayer to co-op survival with character customization. And it seems that, despite players’ initilal mixed reactions, the studio has managed to deliver a product of good quality.

Ahead to its release on July 23, Splatoon Raiders has started to receive its first reviews from critics: specifically, the game is being praised for its engaging gameplay and co-op experience, though the absence of Turf War mode is making itself felt. Moreover, the game is widely considered not as a spin-off but a full-fledged franchise title. Currently, the game has a score of 80 on Metacritic based on 65 critic reviews and 81 on OpenCritic, with 71% of critics recommending it. You can check out some of the reviews from gaming media below:

TechRadar Gaming – 100/100:

Splatoon Raiders is a wonderful solo reinvention of the popular multiplayer series filled with smartly designed missions and endlessly engaging progression systems. Underpinned by the franchise’s fantastic shooting mechanics, it’s a fresh and exciting adventure that should be in every Nintendo Switch 2 owner’s library.

My Nintendo News – 90/100:

Splatoon Raiders is more than a spin-off; it's an incredible launching point for a new branch of more single-player adventures, combining some of the best parts of the original Splatoon trilogy and turning it into something that feels fresh. Upgrading your arsenal as the Mechanic as you go from island to island, splatting hoards of Salmonids, is even more satisfying than it looks, and though the story isn't too deep, the gameplay couldn't be richer. Not only is Splatoon Raiders an essential addition to your Switch 2 game library when it launches 23rd July, it's a splat-tastic reason to own Nintendo's latest system in the first place.

IGN – 90/100:

Splatoon Raiders is an amazing action RPG with an expertly executed loop. It has fantastic new powers with crazy upgrades that are worth chasing, tough battles that force you to put care into your build in order to overcome them, and a huge variety of fun level types to jump between. The pacing, balance, and difficulty curve are very impressive: I always had to work to get better, but none of the campaign ever felt like grinding or needless padding. Raiders stays fresh by constantly introducing deeper ways to customize my abilities that spark new ideas for creative combinations. I reached the credits more than 20 hours ago, but thanks to an overpowered endgame worth coming back for and the option to seamlessly play with friends online, I’ve got plenty of raiding left to do. This is the best Splatoon campaign yet and one of the top games on Switch 2.

Nintendo Life – 90/100:

Splatoon Raiders may be missing the series’ iconic Turf War, but what we have here is possibly the most variable and exciting game the series has ever offered. Regardless of your skill level or personal play styles, the game is able to cater to practically any taste, and all whilst delivering one of the most enjoyable gameplay loops on the console. It looks good, runs fantastically, and you can play practically the whole thing with friends if you wish. Not only that, but Nintendo’s flogging it for a bargain price. It may not push any boundaries within the genre per se, but it’s difficult to find anything negative to say about it, it really is a must-play for almost anyone.

Nintendo Insider – 90/100:

Splatoon Raiders is a brilliantly moreish extraction shooter, whose ink-based gameplay helps make a well-trodden genre feel fresh and interesting. A great time alone, assisting others or grouping up with three friends, Splatoon Raiders proves there’s far more to be done with this series, and I, for one, cannot wait for where we go next.

Game Informer – 88/100:

Though Splatoon’s single-player content has always been underappreciated, Splatoon Raiders makes it impossible to ignore, shining a bright light on the series’ oft-slept-on side.

Nintenduo – 86/100:

Splatoon Raiders isn't the grand single-player campaign the series has been begging for, yet it hides the smoothest, most brilliant gameplay Nintendo has ever put together. Its looting loop is addictive and co-op rounds out an adventure only held back by a tangled difficulty system and modest long-term content.

GamesRadar+ - 80/100:

If you've had a hankering for a solo twist on the loot shooter genre, you'll love this, as it does that extremely well. A successful non-PvP outing for the series, Splatoon Raiders has room for improvement, but nonetheless offers a fun adventure that's not quite like anything else.

• IGN – 9/10
• Gfinity – 9/10
• TheSixthAxis – 9/10
• CGM – 8.5/10
• Press Start – 8.5/10
• Destructoid – 8.5/10
• VGC – 8/10
• Gamespot – 8/10
• Screen Rant – 8/10
• Gameliner 7/10
• Giant Bomb – 7/10
• GameReactor – 7/10
• Metro – 6/10
• Digitec 6/10
• Guardian 4/10

When it comes to comparing the game's rating to previous installments in the franchise, Splatoon Raiders isn't far behind. For comparison, the first entry has a rating of 81, while Splatoon 2 and Splatoon 3 both have a rating of 83.

Splatoon Raiders is the third-person shooter developed and published by Nintendo. The release date is set for July 23, exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.