Is "Splatoon Raiders" A Survival Game? Everything We Know About The Game And What It Could Become

“Guess I’m buying a Switch 2 after all."

Nintendo has finally done it.

After years of speculation and community wishlisting, the Splatoon series is branching out into new territory with its first-ever spin-off: Splatoon Raiders. Sadly, for old fans it's confirmed to be a Switch 2 exclusive.

Revealed suddenly via the Nintendo Today app and a new trailer, the game’s announcement promises a much-needed pivot for a series that has been criticized for sticking too closely to its own formula. In fact, the fandom has been speculating about a Splatoon spin-off for years.

With no release date announced and only a few details revealed, players are left combing through the trailer and official material to piece together what this new adventure might hold.

Shaking Up The Formula, Addressing Fan Concerns

In the past year, a growing number of fans have expressed fatigue with the familiar structure of the games – especially as Splatoon 3 didn’t introduce many major gameplay evolutions.

The mainline Splatoon games have followed a strict structure: online matches, story mode, and co-op horde mode (Salmon Run).

For players who felt the main series had become creatively stagnant, this is the refresh they’ve been waiting for.

The recent DLCs – especially Side Order that took a spin on the rogulike genre – served as a testing ground for new ideas. The expansions showed that the development team is capable of pushing boundaries. Some fans even called them the best part of the series.

Raiders could be the culmination of the previous experiments in DLC content: a fully realized, stand-alone game built on everything the team has learned.

Holiday Vibe And Splatfest Connection

The tone of the trailer is unmistakably summer-y, with a focus on beaches, islands, and adventure.

The vibe and theme may be more than just aesthetic – it could be a narrative link to Splatoon 3’s very first Splatfest (Gear vs. Grub vs. Fun), where players voted on what to bring to a deserted island.

“Gear” won that Splatfest, and developers have long confirmed that big Splatfest results can influence the direction of future games.

Info We Got So Far

In the role of a mechanic, players will go on an adventure in the mysterious Spirhalite Islands alongside the splat-tacular Deep Cut trio. - Nintendo via Twitter

The name of the island gives lore experts plenty to unpack. “Halite” refers to a term used for rock salt, and according to a japanese speaking fan the japanese name ウズシオ諸島 (Uzusio Shotō) contains the words whirlpool and islands – with シオ doubling as a word for both “salt” and “tide.”

So what's the salt symbolism about, Nintendo...?

• The new protagonist is an expert mechanic with a mysterious background. They carry a custom ink tank and a robot sidekick.
• The floating ship-like structure acts as the character’s base
• Deep Cut returns in new vacation-ready outfits. The trio seems to be central to the story, a major shift from their passive role in Splatoon 3. While Off the Hook got dedicated DLCs in Splatoon 2&3, and the Squid Sisters played major roles in prior story modes, Deep Cut has largely remained enigmatic background figures. The spin-off could finally give them the narrative spotlight that fans have long requested.

Speculations: What Raiders Might Really Be

Nintendo has yet to confirm the game’s genre, but the title Raiders alone suggests a lot. In gaming, “raiding” often means:

• Squad- or team-based missions, potentially with co-op elements
• Loot and resource gathering, hinting at open-world or sandbox gameplay
• Survival mechanics, with players navigating a hostile environment

Given the mechanical theme, the floating base, and the featured gear on the characters (like the fishing rod on Shiver or the backpack on Big Man), many suspect a survival adventure game.

The inclusion of freckles on the character model suggests deeper customization options – something fans have long asked for.

Are The Salmonids Attacking?

Sharp-eyed viewers noticed food-themed items like a salt/pepper shaker in the background – which could could hint at the involvement of Salmonids from previous games.

The color scheme used in the trailer and logo – orange and turquoise – matches the hues of Salmon Run, suggesting more than just an aesthetic coincidence.

Long-standing rumors have suggested a bigger role for these antagonists, and Nintendo’s New Year’s social media post from 2020 spelling out SOS or "Save our Salmons" stirred speculation that seemed to point toward them for years.

Their story has been set up for a long time, with maps and Big Run events in Splatoon 3 addressing their more aggressive expansion throughout the lands and their growing threat (or importance) in the game.

With the new game’s island setting feeling close to the usual Salmonids settlements, it’s not a stretch to imagine that Salmonids might play a larger, even sympathetic role, possibly as native inhabitants of the Spirhalite Islands – or rivals fighting for survival against raiders themselves.

Conclusion: A New Tide Rolls In

Splatoon Raiders feels like a current pulling the series into uncharted waters (Hopefully, players won't drown in them like in online battles...).

With salt in the air, sandals on deck, and secrets beneath the surface, this spin-off might just be the bold reinvention that inks a new legacy for the franchise.