Splatoon Raiders is shaping up to be a confident and endlessly creative PvE spin on gaming's messiest third-person shooter, according to a two-hour hands-on preview. The Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive forgoes traditional PvP multiplayer for a mission-based format, and early impressions suggest it could be a 2026 Game of the Year contender and possibly Nintendo's best game this year.
Familiar Mechanics, New Format
All the satisfying shooting mechanics from prior Splatoon games have successfully made it into Raiders. Swimming through ink puddles to move quickly still feels great, shooting enemies provides comforting feedback, and working as a squad of four Inklings to achieve common objectives remains a blast, similar to Splatoon 2's Salmon Run mode. However, Raiders adapts these concepts into a more directed, mission-based PvE format.
Unprecedented Kit Customization
What gives Raiders an edge is its deep customization system. Players choose from three main Tank classes: Speed, Power, and Tactical. Each class can equip only certain types of gadgets, which function as special skills on cooldowns. For example, the Tactical Tank can equip the Shot Pot gadget, a device that independently shoots enemies. The Power Tank's starting gadget, the Spaltchet, delivers a giant area-of-effect attack. Players can unlock more unique gadgets by leveling up each Tank category, equipping up to two at a time.
Beyond Tank classes, Relic Powers are tied to the Inkling character, and Bot Buddies provide unique super abilities. Discoverable modifiers can be equipped between missions to further affect how gadgets operate. This level of customization ensures that gameplay goes beyond simply spraying ink with a desired weapon.
Engaging PvE Premise
After a plane crash, players and friends wash up on a remote island and undertake missions, raids, and dungeons—mostly playable in any order—to reclaim and build the island as a base. Fellow Inklings Frye, Shiver, and a Manta Ray companion called Big Man serve as Bot Buddies, joining in a mini-mech during missions to help fend for resources and battle fish fiends.
Missions involve using the Bot Buddy's mech to drill into large crystals or plundering sublevels to take on bosses. While not revolutionary, the variety encourages replaying with different Tank builds to gather more resources for developing new gadgets and expanding the home base.
Co-op and Replayability
Though pitched primarily as a single-player shooter, almost every mission can be played in four-player co-op, increasing challenge with tougher objectives. The dynamism of different Tank types and kits shines in co-op, as groups can better handle diverse enemy types. Jumping on Bot Buddies' mechs adds verticality, giving Raiders a distinct feel from prior games.
After nearly two hours, the preview left a strong impression. The narrative is basic, but the base gang offers personality, and the customization depth ensures no two playthroughs are the same. How far these systems can be pushed and mission replayability remain to be seen, but Splatoon Raiders is shaping up to be a more thoughtful shooter than expected, poised to be Nintendo's most ink-credible first-party game of summer 2026.
Splatoon Raiders launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on July 23, 2026.
