Splatoon Raiders earns 81 Metascore ahead of Switch 2 launch

Nintendo’s latest foray into the beloved ink-splattering universe, Splatoon Raiders, has achieved a “Generally Favorable” Metascore of 81, just days before its highly anticipated July 23, 2026, release. This critical reception positions the action role-playing third-person shooter as a strong new entry, signaling an adventurous turn for the franchise.

The aggregated score, compiled by review aggregator Metacritic from 66 critic reviews, places the spin-off slightly below the 83 Metascore earned by the series’ last mainline installment, Splatoon 3.

Splatoon Raiders Metascore lands at 81

Developed and published by Nintendo, with Nintendo EPD at the helm, Splatoon Raiders represents a significant strategic shift. It moves away from the competitive multiplayer focus that defined its predecessors, opting instead for a more story-driven, single-player experience.

Launching on the formidable Nintendo Switch 2, the game capitalizes on the console’s impressive sales figures and growing player base, indicating Nintendo’s continued confidence in expanding its flagship intellectual properties.

The Metascore of 81, based on 66 collected reviews, officially classifies Splatoon Raiders as “Generally Favorable.” This indicates a broad consensus among critics that the game delivers a polished and enjoyable experience, even as it reimagines the core gameplay loop of the Splatoon series.

Early critical impressions suggest that the new direction has largely paid off, offering a fresh take that retains the franchise’s signature charm.

Many reviewers praised the game’s innovative mechanics and engaging progression systems. The strong Splatoon Raiders Metascore reflects its success in blending familiar elements with novel genre conventions. Nintendo’s decision to explore an action RPG format has resonated well, proving that the series’ underlying appeal extends beyond its traditional competitive arenas.

Critical reception highlights strengths

Critics highlighted specific strengths that contributed to the game’s solid rating. IGN, awarding a 90, called Splatoon Raiders an “amazing action RPG with an expertly executed loop,” praising its “fantastic new powers with crazy upgrades” and “huge variety of fun level types.” They even declared it “the best Splatoon campaign yet and one of the top games on Switch 2,” emphasizing its strong endgame content.

Nintendo Life, also giving it a 90, noted that despite missing the iconic Turf War, the game offers “possibly the most variable and exciting game the series has ever offered.” They lauded its ability to “cater to practically any taste” and deliver “one of the most enjoyable gameplay loops on the console.”

GameInformer, with an 88, pointed out how the game makes “Splatoon’s single-player content … impossible to ignore,” bringing a “fresh take” to an oft-underappreciated aspect.

Destructoid, scoring it an 85, described Splatoon Raiders as a “looter shooter wrapped in Nintendo’s kid-friendly world,” finding its “charm, loot chase, and satisfying gameplay loop” among their favorite elements of 2026.

VGC and Siliconera, both granting an 80, commended its success in the offline solo setting and its clever building upon the Salmon Run modes from previous titles, respectively.

Gamespot, also with an 80, expressed hope for the new “looter shooter sub-series” to live alongside the main series, citing its “loads of fun” and potential for further development.

A new direction for the Splatoon franchise

Splatoon Raiders marks a significant creative pivot for the franchise, venturing into the action RPG genre while retaining the vibrant aesthetic and unique ink-based combat. This spin-off, directed by Yoshihiko Ito and produced by Seita Inoue, introduces players to a primarily single-player and story-focused adventure. It’s a strategic move that broadens the series’ scope beyond its established competitive roots.

The game tasks players with exploring the remote Spirhalite Islands as a customizable mechanic, who can be either an Inkling or Octoling. This narrative focus provides a deeper lore experience than previous entries. The protagonist is joined by fan-favorite characters Shiver, Frye, and Big Man from the music group Deep Cut, who were prominent in Splatoon 3, adding familiar faces to the fresh adventure.

Departing from Turf War

The core gameplay loop centers around searching for valuables and engaging in combat against hostile Salmonids, a departure from the objective-based team battles of Turf War. This shift allows for a different style of engagement, emphasizing exploration, character progression, and environmental puzzle-solving within a combat context.

The game’s design embraces the looter-shooter mechanics, encouraging players to upgrade abilities and customize their builds to overcome challenging battles.

Critics specifically noted how this design choice reinvigorates the single-player experience, often considered secondary in mainline Splatoon titles. The constant introduction of new abilities and deeper customization options keeps the gameplay fresh. This focus on a robust campaign and endgame content ensures a compelling experience even for players who typically shy away from multiplayer-centric games.

Co-op gameplay and amiibo integration

While primarily single-player, Splatoon Raiders also includes a cooperative multiplayer mode for up to four players. This mode supports both local and online play, with difficulty scaling dynamically based on the number of participants. This optional co-op feature offers a way for friends to team up and tackle the game’s challenges together, further extending its replayability and social appeal.

Adding to the game’s appeal, new amiibo figures featuring Frye, Shiver, and Big Man in their Splatoon Raiders appearances were released alongside the game. These amiibo likely unlock exclusive in-game content, continuing Nintendo’s tradition of integrating physical collectibles with digital experiences. This further enhances the game’s collectible aspect and offers additional incentives for dedicated fans.

Comparing critical success to past Splatoon titles

The Splatoon Raiders Metascore of 81 positions it competitively within the franchise’s history. The original Splatoon, released in 2015 for the Wii U, also achieved an 81 Metascore, albeit based on 88 reviews. This demonstrates a consistent level of critical quality across the series, regardless of the platform or specific genre focus.

It suggests Nintendo has a strong formula for satisfying both critics and players within this universe.

The last mainline installment, Splatoon 3, which debuted in 2022 for the Nintendo Switch, currently holds a Metascore of 83. While slightly higher, the difference between 81 and 83 is marginal in Metacritic’s “Generally Favorable” category, indicating that the spin-off is not perceived as a lesser entry. Instead, it’s seen as a successful expansion that maintains the series’ high standards.

Splatoon 3 and the series’ legacy

The Splatoon franchise, created by Hisashi Nogami and Shintaro Sato, has a proven track record of commercial and critical success. Splatoon 3, for instance, became the fastest-selling game in Japan from September to November 2022, moving an impressive 3.45 million copies within just three days of its launch. Globally, as of March 31, 2024, Splatoon 3 had sold 11.96 million copies.

The entire series boasts over 30 million copies sold worldwide, with Splatoon selling approximately 4.95 million and Splatoon 2 around 13.60 million. This established popularity provides a solid foundation for new titles like Splatoon Raiders to thrive. The consistent sales performance underscores the franchise’s loyal fanbase and its significance to Nintendo’s overall portfolio.

The Nintendo Switch 2 and game launches

The launch of Splatoon Raiders is strategically important for Nintendo, arriving as a significant title for the Nintendo Switch 2, a console less than two years old. This provides a fresh, critically acclaimed game for the console’s burgeoning library, further enticing new and existing players into the Nintendo ecosystem. The game is expected to be a key driver for software sales on the new platform.

The Nintendo Switch 2, officially revealed on January 16, 2025, and released on June 5, 2025, has already made a considerable impact on the market. Its rapid adoption by consumers indicates a strong appetite for Nintendo’s next-generation hardware. This momentum creates an ideal environment for new game releases, offering a large and growing installed base of potential players.

Rapid console sales boost launch visibility

The Switch 2 has achieved remarkable commercial success since its debut. By March 2026, the console had sold over 19 million units worldwide, making it Nintendo’s fastest-selling console within its first four days of release, during which it moved 3.5 million units. This widespread availability ensures a massive audience for Splatoon Raiders right out of the gate, contributing to its anticipated commercial success.

Technologically, the Switch 2 offers several upgrades that enhance the gaming experience, crucial for a visually vibrant title like Splatoon Raiders. It features a larger 7.9-inch LCD screen, capable of 1080p resolution at up to 120 Hz in handheld mode and 4K resolution at 60 Hz when docked, complete with HDR support.

The console also boasts 256 GB of internal storage and is powered by a custom Nvidia Tegra T239 processor, all contributing to a premium gaming experience.

What a Metascore of 81 means for Nintendo

A Metascore of 81 for Splatoon Raiders represents more than just a good review average; it validates Nintendo’s strategy of diversifying its established franchises. Historically, Nintendo has shown a willingness to experiment with beloved IPs, and this success with a Splatoon action RPG spin-off underscores the potential for future genre exploration.

It suggests that fans are open to seeing their favorite characters and worlds adapted into different gameplay styles.

This positive reception could pave the way for additional spin-offs within the Splatoon universe, or even inspire similar ventures for other Nintendo franchises. For a company that relies heavily on its first-party titles, consistently delivering critically acclaimed games, even in new formats, is vital for maintaining market leadership and console sales. It reinforces Nintendo’s reputation for innovation and quality.

Furthermore, securing such a strong score for a major launch title on the Nintendo Switch 2 is a significant boost for the console itself. It signals to consumers that the Switch 2 is not only capable of running high-quality titles but is also receiving continuous support with fresh and exciting content.

This synergy between hardware and software is crucial for long-term platform success, especially in a competitive gaming market.

The game’s positive critical standing helps to generate strong word-of-mouth and public interest ahead of its release. This is particularly important for games like Splatoon Raiders that aim to expand an existing fanbase while attracting new players.

The reviews clearly indicate that the game offers substantial content and replayability, making it an attractive purchase for anyone seeking a fresh action RPG experience on the new Nintendo console.