With the release of Splatoon Raiders scheduled for July 23, 2026, on the Nintendo Switch 2, early reviews have begun to surface. The title marks a departure for the franchise, trading competitive Turf War matches for a player-versus-environment (PvE) experience centered on loot, character builds, and cooperative raiding.

Critical Consensus

Reviews for the spin-off are varied, highlighting a split between those who enjoy the game's core loop and those who feel the experience lacks the depth of the mainline entries. Nintendo Life awarded the game a 9/10, with reviewer Alex Olney noting that while it lacks the series' iconic competitive mode, the "variable and exciting" gameplay makes it a must-play. Similarly, Tech Radar Gaming granted a perfect 5/5, calling it an "incredibly compelling" take on the series' shooting mechanics.

Other outlets pointed toward the game’s accessibility and progression. Pocket Tactics (10/10) praised the variety of weapons and gadgets, while IGN (9/10) highlighted the balance and pacing, stating that the game avoids feeling like a grind despite its focus on character builds. Game Informer (8.75/10) and Destructoid (8.5/10) also commended the "loot chase" and the satisfying nature of the short, repeatable raids.

Points of Contention

Not all critics were convinced by the new direction. The Guardian (2/5) described the experience as "pedestrian," arguing that the game relies too heavily on standard cooperative action tropes that feel disconnected from the series' usual charm. Metro Game Central (6/10) labeled the title a "slight and thoroughly unnecessary" diversion, suggesting that the experience might leave long-time fans waiting for Splatoon 4 feeling disappointed.

Giant Bomb (3.5/5) and Games Radar+ (4/5) acknowledged the fun factor but expressed reservations about long-term engagement. While both outlets enjoyed the initial campaign, they noted that the drive to continue playing after the credits roll may vary significantly depending on the player's interest in the post-game content.

Summary of Scores

  • Tech Radar Gaming: 5/5
  • Pocket Tactics: 10/10
  • Nintendo Life: 9/10
  • IGN: 9/10
  • Game Informer: 8.75/10
  • Destructoid: 8.5/10
  • Games Radar+: 4/5
  • VGC: 4/5
  • Eurogamer: 4/5
  • Giant Bomb: 3.5/5
  • Metro Game Central: 6/10
  • The Guardian: 2/5