The verdict
Yes — for the right player. Splatoon Raiders is the series' first real spin-off, and it trades the competitive Turf War grind for a single-player-and-co-op looter-shooter loop. You play the Mechanic, crash-land on the Spirhalite Islands with Deep Cut (Shiver, Frye and Big Man), and raid for treasure while slowly fixing up your hideout ship. Reviewers have been warm across the board: Tom's Guide gave it an Editor's Choice, IGN SEA called it the strongest campaign the series has had, and CGMagazine scored it 8.5/10.
What people love about it
- The core loop is addictive. Run a raid, haul loot back to your ship, upgrade a weapon or gadget, head back out. It is the same hook that makes Borderlands or Deep Rock Galactic hard to put down.
- Movement and ink still feel amazing. Diving into your own ink and popping out behind a Salmonid to hit its weak spot is as slick as ever, especially with the Switch 2 Pro Controller's HD rumble.
- Real build depth. Three tank classes (Speed, Power, Tactical), gadgets on cooldowns, Relic Powers, and a crafting system that lets you tune each gadget's damage, area and cooldown. There is a lot to tinker with.
- It looks and runs great. 60 fps at 4K on Switch 2, with distinct biomes from beaches to snow peaks. Reviewers repeatedly called it the best-looking Splatoon yet.
- Co-op softens the missing PvP. Local or online 2–4 player co-op, plus a Call for Help feature when a raid or boss is giving you trouble.
The gripes (read these before you buy)
- There is no competitive multiplayer. If you bought Splatoon for Turf War ranked, this isn't that game. It is PvE only.
- Some late islands and raids feel repetitive. Multiple reviewers noted the mission templates thin out a bit toward the end. The fast pacing covers for it, but it is there.
- The story is thin. It is a swashbuckling treasure hunt, not a dense narrative. Fine for most, but don't come expecting a plot-heavy RPG.
- A few gadgets lack distinct animations. A minor polish complaint from one outlet — it doesn't affect how they play.
Who it's for (and who should skip)
| You'll probably love it if… | Skip it if… |
|---|---|
| You enjoy Splatoon's combat and want a solo / in-co-op campaign | You only play Splatoon for competitive PvP |
| You like looter-shooters (Borderlands, Deep Rock Galactic) | You want a deep, story-driven RPG |
| You own a Switch 2 and want a meaty exclusive | You're still on Switch 1 (it is a Switch 2 exclusive) |
| You like tinkering with builds and loadouts | You burn out on repeatable raid loops |
Price and where to buy
Splatoon Raiders is $49 USD digital / $59 physical (region prices vary slightly). It is a Switch 2 exclusive — there is no Switch 1 version. If you're still deciding, also check the how-long breakdown and the build guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Splatoon Raiders worth it?
For Splatoon fans and looter-shooter players, yes. It takes the series' signature ink combat and wraps it in a single-player and co-op raid loop with deep crafting. The main gripes are no competitive multiplayer and some repetitive late islands — not dealbreakers for most.
How much does Splatoon Raiders cost?
$49 USD for the digital edition and $59 for the physical copy (prices vary slightly by region). It is a Switch 2 exclusive, so you need the console to play.
Is Splatoon Raiders good for beginners?
Yes. The early raids are gentle, there's no ranked pressure, and you keep all loot even if you're splatted mid-raid. Picking a starting tank and one main weapon is enough to get going.
Is there multiplayer?
Not competitive PvP, but there is 2–4 player co-op (local and online) and a Call for Help feature. See the co-op tips page for details.
Next: wondering how many hours you'll get? Read the how-long guide, or start with the best weapons tier list.