Splatoon Raiders outlines its co-op shooter RPG gameplay as it swims to July 23 release

Nintendo is preparing to expand its ink-splatting universe with Splatoon Raiders, an upcoming co-op shooter RPG slated for release on July 23, 2026. The new title represents a significant shift for the franchise, transitioning the series' signature mechanics into a cooperative, role-playing experience.

Moving Beyond Maintenance Mode

The upcoming release of Splatoon Raiders breathes new life into a franchise that has recently remained quiet. The series' previous mainline installment, the team-versus-team multiplayer shooter Splatoon 3, has been in maintenance mode since 2024.

According to reporting from MassivelyOP, Nintendo first revealed the existence of Splatoon Raiders in 2025. However, details surrounding the project were incredibly sparse at the time of its initial unveiling, leaving fans with few clues about the game's actual structure.

Transitioning to a Co-Op RPG

While the franchise is widely known for its competitive Turf War multiplayer modes, Splatoon Raiders is officially classified as a cooperative shooter RPG. This shift marks a structural departure from the PvP-focused gameplay of its predecessors, focusing instead on collaborative play and role-playing elements.

Because official deep dives into the game's mechanics have only recently begun to surface, many specific gameplay features remain unconfirmed. It is currently unknown how deep the RPG progression will run, what kind of character customization or gear systems will be present, or how the cooperative mission loops will be structured. Players will have to wait for further details from Nintendo to see exactly how these mechanics will function when the game launches this July.

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