Splatoon Raiders launches on Switch 2 on 23 July 2026. That's just over three weeks away. It's the first proper spin-off in the Splatoon series and Nintendo is pitching it as a treasure-hunting action-shooter rather than the usual multiplayer arena game. The Direct dropped straight from Nintendo, with a Treehouse Live segment afterwards running roughly 30 minutes of gameplay for anyone who wanted to see it in motion.

Price: US$50 digital, US$60 physical. Australian pricing will be confirmed on the eShop closer to launch.

The setup: you play as a mechanic sent to the Spirhalite Islands, chasing treasure alongside Deep Cut. It's built around single-player, but you can bring in up to three mates for four-player co-op, either online or over local wireless. Combat leans on the Splatoon toolkit you already know (weapons, ink mechanics), plus customisable gadgets you upgrade as you go. Salmonids are back as the main enemy.

What makes this one interesting is Nintendo has finally done a proper campaign-focused Splatoon. The mainline games have always had solo content, but it's been the thing you play to unlock stuff for multiplayer. Raiders flips that. The co-op angle is what makes it a real consideration for anyone with kids, four players on one adventure is easier to sell to a family than five-minute matches against strangers online.

Nintendo also announced a comic that reveals the game's prologue, dropping via the Nintendo Today app before launch. And there's a matching Joy-Con 2 set in the Deep Cut colours (blue left, light yellow right) hitting shelves the same day as the game. Preorders for both are open now.

The Splatoon 3 side got a nod too: a new Splatfest is coming to keep the mainline crowd busy while everyone waits for Raiders.