Nintendo just posted a Splatoon Raiders Direct, where they highlighted many things in the upcoming Switch 2 game.
Below is the entire video along with a summary of the announcements and information (provided via a press release from Nintendo of America).
We will be talking about this Direct and more on episode 342 of our podcast, recorded live tonight on YouTube and Twitch.
Treasure Hunting – The Spirhalite Islands feature varied terrain and environments, teeming with challenges, enemies and treasure. There are areas with Spirhalite crystals to mine, dens swarming with aggressive creatures called Salmonids, strange facilities where only certain equipment is allowed and dungeons in which you’ll dig deeper underground.
Salmonid Enemies: To reach the loot, you’ll have to get through these ferocious foes first. They lurk across the islands, crowd around treasure and attack anything that gets too close. There are many different types, including:
- Lesser Salmonids – These enemies aren’t much of a threat on their own, but they attack in hordes that can overwhelm you if you’re not careful.
- Boss Salmonids – These creatures present a beefier challenge, with their own strengths and weaknesses to uncover. Defeat Boss Salmonids, and they’ll drop a Mega Power Egg – a great energy source for the Bot.
- Seasoned Salmonids – These tough foes are the peak of Salmonid evolution! They are like Boss Salmonids but they’re well-seasoned (with salt), and it seems like the saltier the Salmonid the tougher they are to overcome. Good thing you’ll have the mechanic’s tools of the trade at your disposal, including lots of weapons and gadgets to secure your treasures.
Weapons – Weapons spray ink from your refillable tank and are essential for defeating Salmonids. With more than 100 weapon variations to discover, you’re bound to find something to roll with. Salmonids might drop a weapon when they’re defeated, and you might even find some rare weapons with special powers, too.
Tanks and Gadgets: There are three types of tanks at your disposal: The Speed Tank, Power Tank and Tactical Tank. Each tank can be equipped with two gadgets to start, and the gadgets you can equip depend on the tank.
- Speed – Move quickly, fight fast and evade attacks with this tank. Gadgets include Blast Boot to leap forward and attack (or retreat) at high speed, Dash Bomb to launch forward, sideways or backward with a bomb explosion, and the Booyarang to throw and strike enemies – it’ll also stay airborne for a bit before returning to you.
- Power – Overpower enemies and tackle swarms head-on with this tank. Charge into battle with gadgets like the Splatchet to perform a quick slash in a wide-sweeping arc and break through tough shields; Splatellites that spin around you and attack with ink while coating the ground; and the Spinwheel, which swirls and sprays ink as you move forward, pushing back Salmonids that touch it and locking on to Boss Salmonids.
- Tactical – Fight more strategically with this tank! Gadgets suited for tactical play include the Shot Pot, a deployable turret, which can automatically attack enemies, Bombloons which can be linked together to create a big blast when you fire at them, and the Tether Wail, which connects to your tank with a powerful laser.
Customize and Build – The true value of your gadgets comes from how you customize them. Collect gadget parts during island excursions and add them to available slots to upgrade your gadgets in several ways, like increased damage, fire rate, duration, or adding effects like ink explosions or knockback gas, and more. Plus, Shiver can help you craft new gadgets in the Gadget Workshop, Frye can assist with upgrading weapons or turning them into materials in the Weapon Stash, and Big Man will lend a fin by cataloging all sorts of useful info and more. Build facilities that can be used to further optimize your treasure-hunting toolkit.
Leveling Up – There are plenty of ways to get stronger in Splatoon Raiders. You’ll level up by defeating Salmonids and you get to keep any weapons and salvage you find, even if you’re defeated during a raid. Use the spoils from your hunt to upgrade your tanks at the Mechanic’s Shack and increase stats like attack power and HP. Tanks also gain other enhancements the more you use them, like being able to equip three gadgets instead of two.
Additional Features: Here are a few more features covered in the presentation:
- Outfits – No matter where adventure takes you, looking stylish is essential. Complete challenges across the islands and you’ll obtain slick outfits with all sorts of designs. If you tap compatible amiibo figures from the Splatoon series, you can get a unique outfit. And by tapping the new Splatoon Raiders amiibo figures, you can unlock a corresponding outfit inspired by the figure used.
- Difficulty Options – There are three difficulties to choose from: Tourist for a casual adventure, Raider for a standard experience, and Survivalist for veterans and challenge-seekers. You can change these options at any time on the hideout ship. The loot will be the same for each, but Salmonids will be a lot tougher on higher difficulties.
- Multiplayer – This game can be fully enjoyed solo, but you can also team with up to three other players online or via local wireless to hunt for treasure and progress through the story together.
- Call for Help – Even when playing solo, you can request help from other players online for temporary aid. Once you’ve requested help and finished a raid, you’ll have to wait to use this feature again. Or lend a helping tentacle to answer someone else’s request and receive rewards in turn.
Salmonid Relics – These Salmonid treasures are hidden around the Spirhalite Islands. Find them to discover their strange, hidden powers.
[Source: Quoted directly from a Press Release email from Nintendo of America]
What did you think of the Splatoon Raiders Direct? Will you be getting the game on Nintendo Switch 2 when it launches on July 23, 2026? Let us know in the comments or on our Discord.
Steve is the Senior Editor of NintendoFuse and co-host of the NintendoFuse Podcast. He’s been a Nintendo gamer since age 6 and has been on staff with NintendoFuse since 2008.