SDCC 2026: ‘Splatoon Raiders’ Is A Fun Addition To The Franchise With A Focus On Single Player Mode

The third-person shooter Splatoon series of games is more well known for their competitive play, although the second installment did introduce a single-player campaign. The franchise’s latest title, Splatoon Raiders, expands on the idea of a single-player mode set in the world. We were able to preview it hands-on at San Diego Comic-Con 2026.

Splatoon Raiders is an action shooter where you defeat Salmonid foes and collect treasure on the mysterious Spirhalite Islands. The game takes the charm of Splatoon and successfully integrates it into another genre of games. It has an open-world feel with puzzles to solve along the journey. Yet, the action is still pretty intense, battling enemies and bosses. In addition, there are role-playing game elements with opportunities to gain and upgrade weapons and devices. 

A cool feature is the shark attack, which becomes available after obtaining a certain number of Salmonid eggs to fill up a bar. It unleashes a devastating attack. Another interesting addition is a tank that serves as a companion. It contributes in combat by shooting at enemies and can team up with the main character for abilities such as a super jump.

There is also a multiplayer co-op mode that feels similar to the Salmon Runs. You and a team must confront an endless horde of various Salmonids and collect the eggs they drop. The difficulty increases as you pass each wave, and the gameplay is a little more convenient since you don’t have to deposit the eggs in a designated area. That keeps you focused on the action at hand.

Splatoon 2 and 3 helped pave the way for Splatoon Raiders. This version’s focus on single-player mode provides a fun open-world to explore in an exotic locale. The game mechanics are familiar with some added extras that expand the gameplay. Then, there are still multiplayer options for those who enjoy that aspect of the series.

Splatoon Raiders is currently available on Nintendo Switch 2.