Splatoon Raiders Direct
Nintendo Announces Splatoon Raiders Direct for June 30, Detailing Switch 2 Exclusive Game and Accessories
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Key Points
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Splatoon Raiders centers on treasure-hunting across the Spirhalite Islands, with players using a variety of mechanical gadgets to explore and battle Salmonids; previews also feature a giant manta ray in the world.
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Nintendo will release three new Splatoon Raiders Amiibo figures—Frye, Shiver, and Big Man—priced at $24.99 each; the trio was previously immortalized as Amiibo in 2023 for Splatoon 3.
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Treehouse: Live Splatoon Raiders will follow the Direct and run about 30 minutes; it will be streamed on Nintendo Today!, YouTube, and Twitch.
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In addition to single-player, Splatoon Raiders supports online co-op for up to three friends (four players total).
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Digital version is $49.99 and physical version is $59.99 as part of Nintendo's new pricing plan.
Nintendo will broadcast a dedicated Splatoon Raiders Direct on June 30, 2026, at 7 a.m. PDT, giving fans a 15-minute deep dive into the Switch 2 exclusive, according to VGChartz. A 30-minute Nintendo Treehouse: Live gameplay showcase follows immediately after.
Splatoon Raiders launches July 23, 2026, and marks a sharp turn for the franchise. Instead of 4v4 multiplayer, the game is a single-player adventure — with optional online co-op for up to four players — set across the Spirhalite Islands. Nintendo Wire notes the Direct will be streamed on YouTube, Nintendo Today!, and Twitch.
A Single-Player Splatoon Built for Switch 2
Players take on the role of an Inkling or Octoling mechanic — not a traditional Turf War fighter. The goal is to explore the Spirhalite Islands, collect treasure, and battle Salmonids using mechanical gadgets. Nintendo Insider notes that players can customize their character's appearance and loadout, swapping between gadgets and ink-splattering weapons.
The game is built specifically for Nintendo Switch 2 hardware. It uses the new Joy-Con 2 controllers and their magnetic attachment system. A giant manta ray has appeared in trailers, hinting at large-scale encounters across the island world, Eurogamer reported.
Pricing Breaks From Nintendo's Old Model
Splatoon Raiders costs $49.99 to download digitally and $59.99 for a physical copy. That gap is new for Nintendo. VGChartz points out the split pricing is part of a broader policy shift — one that could signal the end of uniform $59.99 pricing for first-party digital games.
Three new amiibo figures — Frye, Shiver, and Big Man — will also launch alongside the game, each priced at $24.99. The Deep Cut trio was previously released as amiibo in 2023 for Splatoon 3. New Joy-Con 2 controllers in blue and light yellow are also coming, priced at $99.99 a pair, according to IGN.
A Prequel Comic Builds Hype Before Launch
Nintendo started a daily webcomic called Deep Cut's Island Misadventures on June 23 through the Nintendo Today! app. It runs one chapter per day through July 22 — the day before the game launches. Inkipedia reports the comic follows Shiver, Frye, and Big Man as they crash-land on the Spirhalite Islands.
The first chapter drew over 140 upvotes on Reddit within hours of posting. Nintendo is using the comic as a "transmedia" tool — a way to keep fans engaged outside the game itself. A Splatfest event in Splatoon 3 is also planned for July 10–12 to celebrate the launch.
Fans Split Over Exclusivity and Spin-Off Direction
Not everyone is on board. On Reddit's r/Saltoon community, fans have criticized the Switch 2 exclusivity, with some saying they will "NEVER play" the game if it stays locked to the new — and more expensive — hardware. Others have pushed back on the $59.99 physical price for what they see as a spin-off title.
YouTube critic Arlo sparked debate by claiming "Nintendo has never fumbled a game this hard," targeting the exclusivity decision and single-player focus. But others, like content creator Rule of 2 Review, called the game "almost EXACTLY what I wanted," praising its exploration-heavy design. The June 30 Direct is Nintendo's best chance to win over the skeptics before the July 23 launch, Video Games Chronicle noted.
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