Summary:
Nintendo just splashed us with two tidal waves of news. First up is Splatoon Raiders, the franchise’s debut spinoff that thrusts you into the boots of a grease-stained mechanic stranded on the mysterious Spirhalite Islands. You’ll brave tropical ruins, partner up with the ever-charismatic Deep Cut trio, and uncover gadgets that would make Sheldon blush. Hot on its tentacles comes Version 10.0.0 for Splatoon 3, dropping June 12 on both Nintendo Switch and the new powerhouse Switch 2. Expect 30 eye-catching weapon kits, the revival of the fan-favorite Urchin Underpass, and a clever Series Weapon Power system that pairs you with rivals who match your skill—no matter which blaster you’re experimenting with. Better visuals, buttery-smooth frame rates, and seamless cross-play mean your turf wars just leveled up. Ready to ink your mark on this brave new era? Let’s break it all down in plain, squid-approved English.
The Birth of Splatoon Raiders
Nintendo’s latest trailer didn’t just tease another Splatfest—it unveiled Splatoon Raiders, the very first offshoot in the paint-slinging phenomenon. Picture this: you’re a down-to-earth mechanic whose workshop suddenly crash-lands on the vibrant Spirhalite Islands. No Inkling or Octoling superstar status here; your hands smell of engine oil, and your survival toolkit is a battered wrench and an ink tank held together by tape. This grounded angle flips the series’ usual “super-stylish athlete” vibe on its head, promising a tale of ingenuity over raw firepower. Instead of competing for turf, you’re scavenging parts, tinkering with contraptions, and transforming scrapbook schematics into life-saving gear. Players have long begged for fresh ways to explore Splatoon’s universe beyond competitive matches—Raiders answers that call with a full-blown adventure.
Why a Spinoff Now?
The Switch 2’s beefier hardware opens doors the original consoles nudged but couldn’t fully swing open. Larger environments, richer physics, and dynamic weather patterns are all fair game, letting the development team craft experiences a standard arena map can’t contain. With Splatoon 3’s live service winding down its second year, Nintendo needed something bold to maintain excitement. Raiders steps in as that spark, teasing a multi-chapter journey while still respecting the competitive heartbeat beating back in Inkopolis.
Spirhalite Islands: Your Colorful Playground
Tucked somewhere in the warmer reaches of the Inkling world, the Spirhalite Islands resemble a coral reef mashed up with junkyard chic. Think sun-bleached cliffs juxtaposed with rocket debris from long-forgotten tech experiments. Each island spirals upward—hence the name—forming vertical playgrounds that beg you to zipline, wall-swim, and improvise shortcuts. Nintendo promises day-night cycles and dynamic storms that change enemy behaviors. One moment you’re dashing through tide pools teeming with bioluminescent critters; the next, a monsoon sends flotsam and fruit crates tumbling your way, turning peaceful coves into obstacle courses. Exploration gets a Metroid-lite twist: unlock a grappling ink-hook, and previously unreachable ledges become fair game. It’s a playground designed for discovery junkies.
Lore Tidbits Hidden in Plain Sight
Series veterans will notice graffiti tags referencing the Great Turf War, rusted Salmonid kettles, and audio logs recorded in proto-Inkling dialects. While mainline Splatoon games drop lore in subtle museum exhibits, Raiders brings it front-and-center in environmental storytelling. Spot an abandoned DJ booth perched on a clifftop? There’s probably a cassette revealing Deep Cut’s mis-adventures in their pre-idol days. These snack-size lore bites reward curious explorers without forcing endless dialogue boxes on speed-runners.
Meet the Deep Cut Trio
Still buzzing from their Splatoon 3 stardom, Frye, Shiver, and Big Man trade the news desk for crash helmets, acting as your in-game crew. No wardrobe changes are off-limits: expect Shiver piloting a jury-rigged hover skiff, Frye crafting questionable but charismatic “upgrades,” and Big Man—ever the hype man—serving as your comedic relief and moral compass. Their banter plays out over radio chatter and campfire cut-scenes, grounding your solitary scavenging with doses of familiar Splatoon charm. Nintendo confirmed they’ll perform new tracks too, so get ready to hum fresh ear-worms while gearing up for your next salvage run.
Gameplay Mechanics and New Tools
Raiders keeps core ink shooting as snappy as ever but augments it with gadgetry straight from a steampunk sketchbook. Your wrench doubles as a melee option for tight quarters, while repurposed sprinkler parts morph into portable resin printers, letting you craft bridges on the fly. Blueprints found in shipwrecks unlock everything from ink-powered jet boots to bubble-shield turrets. Resources come from dismantling old Octarian tech scattered across the islands—a nod to series antagonists while bolstering your supply chain. Combat isn’t about turf coverage this time; it’s measured in outsmarting feral Salmonids, rogue drones, and colossal boss beasts whose armor you must chip away with cleverly placed ink mines.
Tool Upgrades: Risk vs. Reward
Building high-tier gear requires rare conductors known as Spirhalite shards. Harvesting them triggers mini-events drawing extra enemy waves, forcing a thrilling risk-reward loop. Do you bail with your current haul or stay a little longer for that crucial tenth shard? Clever players who coordinate with Deep Cut’s support drops—air-dropped ink-tacos for healing, anyone?—reap the best rewards.
Co-op Possibilities
Although Nintendo hasn’t detailed multiplayer yet, the trailer flashes silhouettes of multiple mechanics scaling a cliff in tandem. Shared resource pools and synchronized ink lines hint at drop-in co-op raids—perfect for weekend sessions with your squid squad.
Survival Meets Splats: Crafting & Combat
Survival elements in Raiders operate on a “keep moving, keep improving” philosophy. Ink doubles as both ammo and building adhesive, so careless spraying can leave you dry when a rogue Chum ambushes. Food recipes found in washed-up coolers grant stat buffs—who knew fried kelp with wasabi glaze boosts swim speed? Inventory space is limited, challenging you to juggle scrap metal, healing algae, and raw fish fuel. The island isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a character that responds to your actions, from Inkflood events that raise water levels to volcanic vents that spew pigment-charged steam useful for powering makeshift elevators.
Visual Upgrades on Nintendo Switch 2
If Splatoon 3 already dazzled you with neon brights, Raiders on Switch 2 cranks the saturation and particle effects to dazzling new heights. Puddles now ripple realistically, reflecting neon billboards that pulse to Deep Cut’s bass lines. A 60 fps target is maintained even when ink storms fill the screen—a feat made possible by the Switch 2’s beefier GPU. Fog volumes and HDR lighting give islands a postcard charm at sunrise, while ray-traced reflections on wet metal debris make every skirmish screenshot-worthy. Even small flourishes—like ink droplets sliding off your goggles during rain—deepens immersion without sacrificing gameplay clarity.
Splatoon 3 Version 10.0.0 Update Overview
Still knee-deep in Turf Wars? Version 10.0.0 hits both Switch families on June 12, bringing headline-grabbing tweaks that breathe new life into matches. The patch cranks weapon variety up to eleven, refurbishes a Wii U classic stage, and introduces a matchmaking stat that finally understands your hidden genius with niche loadouts. Best of all, players on Switch 2 can flaunt slicker textures and steadier frame rates in bustling hubs like Splatsville.
How to Install the Update
Simply boot Splatoon 3 while connected online, and the download should auto-queue. Given the hefty 30-kit weapon infusion, budget around 3 GB of storage. On Switch 2, the SSD makes short work of the install; grab a snack, and you’re back inking in minutes.
Splatlands Collection: 30 Fresh Weapon Kits
Prepare to rewrite your tier lists. The Splatlands collection reimagines beloved main weapons with zany sub-special pairings. Picture a Jet Squelcher that now tosses Auto Bombs and calls in a Reefslider, or a Carbon Roller that gains the Big Bubbler for sudden zone control. Brands Barazushi and Emberz lend cosmetic flair—expect metallic gradients, fiery decals, and subtle brand jingles when you swap kits. For rookies, expanded in-game tooltips explain ideal play styles, sparing you a trip to the wiki mid-match.
Weapon Freshness Cap Raised
With the cap lifted, your beloved Tri-Stringer can finally shine well past its old expiration date. New badge tiers unlock every few ranks, so flaunt that mastery emblem with pride. The system celebrates commitment without sidelining new mains—a delicate dance Splatoon has struggled with until now.
Urchin Underpass Returns: Nostalgia Meets Modernity
Veterans from the Wii U era remember Urchin Underpass’s cramped center lane and flanking catwalks. Its remake widens side routes slightly to accommodate new movement abilities, while keeping the chaotic mid choke intact. Elevated glass floors reflect ink fire-fights below, making ambushes easier to telegraph—skillful squads can hold territory yet still face counter-attack windows. The new version also houses interactive billboards that tally live turf coverage, turning each skirmish into a billboard-sized bragging contest.
Series Weapon Power: Smarter Matchmaking
Ranked warriors know the pain of matchmaking that ignores your proficiency with specific gear. Series Weapon Power remedies that by tracking your win-loss ratio for each main weapon separately. Switch from a Splattershot Pro to a Sloshing Machine, and the system recalibrates your lobbies accordingly. Finally, you can experiment without feeling like the sacrificial squid in higher tiers. This stat appears on your player card and influences opponent selection, setting up nail-biting mirror matches that showcase true weapon mastery rather than raw rank.
Cross-Play Between Switch Generations
No one gets left behind. Nintendo confirms Splatoon 3 supports full cross-play: whether you’re brand-new on Switch 2 or rocking a day-one Switch, you’ll share turf seamlessly. Performance differences are minimized by adaptive resolution, ensuring frame parity. Lobbies display tiny console icons, so you can rib friends about their “legacy handheld” while they clap back with perfectly placed Ink Strikes.
What’s Next for the Splatoon Franchise?
Raiders and Version 10.0.0 set the stage for a multi-pronged future. Expect seasonal content drops that weave Raiders’ lore back into Splatoon 3 through limited-time Splatfest themes—imagine voting Team Wrench vs. Team Microchip. Data miners already spotted references to underwater vehicle segments, hinting that future updates may let you pilot submersible Inkcrafts between islands. And with Switch 2’s horsepower, who’s to say a full-blown open-sea biome isn’t on the horizon? One thing’s for sure: Nintendo’s ink reservoir is nowhere near empty.
Conclusion
Splatoon’s vibrant universe is expanding faster than an Ink Vac on overdrive. Splatoon Raiders delivers a fresh adventure bursting with tinkering, teamwork, and tropical mayhem, while the Splatoon 3 Version 10.0.0 update supercharges the competitive scene with an arsenal of new toys and smarter matchmaking. Whether you’re craving story-driven discovery or classic turf-splattering showdowns, Nintendo’s latest announcements promise plenty of splashes, laughs, and “booyahs” for months to come.
FAQs
- When will Splatoon Raiders launch?
- Nintendo hasn’t pinned down an exact date yet, but all signs point to a 2026 window as marketing ramps up.
- Is Splatoon Raiders multiplayer?
- While primarily a single-player adventure, teaser footage suggests optional co-op raids—stay tuned for official confirmation.
- Do I need a Switch 2 for the Splatoon 3 update?
- No. Version 10.0.0 lands on both Switch and Switch 2 devices simultaneously. Switch 2 simply enjoys higher fidelity visuals.
- How does Series Weapon Power affect my rank?
- It influences matchmaking but doesn’t replace your overall rank. Think of it as a skill thermometer for each weapon.
- Will my existing gear transfer to Switch 2?
- Yes, your save data can be brought over via Nintendo’s cloud backup or local transfer, preserving weapons, gear, and catalog progress.
Sources
- Splatoon Raiders, the First-Ever Splatoon Spinoff Game, is Coming to Nintendo Switch 2!, Nintendo.com, June 10 2025
- Everything included in the Splatoon 3 – Version 10.0.0 update, Nintendo.com, June 12 2025
- Nintendo announces surprise new Splatoon game for Switch 2, Polygon, June 10 2025
