A new exclusive for theNintendo Switch 2was unceremoniously revealed through Nintendo Today, the mobile app that provides daily updates on the company’s first-party franchises. The new system’s launch lineup has been sparse with regard to exclusive titles, with the only new ones beingMario Kart WorldandNintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, both of which cracked theSwitch 2’s bestsellers listin the console’s first week.
On June 10, however,Nintendo revealed the first everSplatoonspin-off game via the Nintendo Today app, titledSplatoon Raiders. The announcement came with a very short teaser showing the trio Deep Cut being stranded on an island after a helicopter crash with a character simply referred to as a mechanic, who appears to be the playable protagonist. More franchise news came in the same reveal with the announcement of a Switch 2 upgrade coming toSplatoon 3by way of a free update dropping on June 12.
Splatoon Raiders Is A New Spin-Off Releasing Exclusively For Switch 2
A New Single-Player Adventure
Very little info aboutSplatoon Raiderswas divulged – not even a broad release date has been mentioned. It is, however,a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, and appears to be primarily a single-player game. The teaser shows Deep Cut and the mechanic (who pilots the ill-fated helicopter) traveling to the Spirhalite Islands, where a glowing phenomenon suddenly results in inclement weather, forcing a crash landing.
Deep Cut are seen taking up residence on a barge, andthe mechanic is shown exploring the islands with the help of a robot companion. The gameplay clips are exceptionally brief, though, more or less confirming thatSplatoon’s trademark ability to turn into a squid and traverse ink is possible, and teasing the robotic helper. Speculation has it being a sort of survival building game, where the raft becomes an evolving, moving home base, but the accompanying press release has no concrete information on the gameplay.
Splatoon 3 Is Getting An Update For Switch 2 With New Weapons & Better Performance
Version 10.0.0 Is Here
Alongside the reveal ofSplatoon Raiders, it was announced thatupdate 10.0.0 is coming toSplatoon 3for both the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on June 12. For both platforms, the update brings 30 new weapon kits, adapting existing weapon types to have new appearances and fresh combinations of sub and special weapons. The Urchin Overpass map is also making a comeback from the originalSplatoon, and all weapon Freshness caps are being raised so players can earn new badges in-game.
For Switch 2 players,Splatoon 3will now have “more detailed visuals” according to the press release, so likely a resolution bump, alongside “a smoother appearance” in Splatsville and the Grand Festival Grounds, so a better frame rate. While in matches,Splatoon 3has always run very well, but the slow frame rate in Splatsvill was very noticeable in a game that largelytouched up its predecessor, rather than evolve the gameplay.Splatoon Raidersmay be theleakedSplatoongameuncovered last year, and it’s nice to have anotherNintendo Switch 2exclusive to look forward to.
Source:Nintendo of America/YouTube
Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 is the successor to Nintendo Switch, scheduled for release in 2025. Confirmed as backwards compatible, it will play both physical and digital Nintendo Switch games. A full reveal is pencilled in for Aug 08, 2025.
