Nintendo’s New First-Party Shooter Is Exactly What the Switch 2 Needs

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Nintendo doesn’t usually make shooting games, so I always take notice when they do. I’m not a huge fan of the genre myself, though I appreciate a really well-made one. What I really enjoy is seeing Nintendo try something a little different and take a calculated risk – especially compared to their usual games. We’ve seen them do this before with things like getting into Japanese role-playing games, releasing more games for older audiences, and even publishing lots of fantastic, but often forgotten, indie titles. Remember The Stretchers, that surprisingly good co-op game Nintendo helped create?

Nintendo recently hinted at a new shooting game coming to the Switch 2, and they’ve started sharing a bit more information about it. While details are still limited, this game could be exactly what the Switch 2 needs to gain momentum and shake off early criticisms. It has the potential to establish the new console as more innovative than the original. Hopefully, Splatoon Raiders will lead the charge in this direction, as early looks suggest it’s the unique and experimental title the Switch 2 has been waiting for.

Splatoon Raiders Continues The Switch 2’s Streak Of Experimental Games

Splatoon Raiders is a new single-player game based on Nintendo’s popular Splatoon series, with a touch of cooperative play. It builds upon the Salmon Run mode from Splatoon 3, introducing the game’s unique world and story to a wider audience and expanding on the existing lore in a way that’s typical of Nintendo games. For those who enjoy Splatoon’s colorful, gritty style but prefer to avoid online multiplayer, Raiders feels like a great fit.

Notably, Raiders appears to be continuing Nintendo’s trend of unique and innovative games on the Switch 2. Donkey Kong Bananza was a surprisingly different DK game, breaking from many of the series’ usual elements to offer a fresh take on the iconic gorilla. This kind of shift, which worked brilliantly with Breath of the Wild almost ten years ago, has again proven successful. Donkey Kong Bananza is easily one of the best games on the Switch 2, and I expect it will stay that way for years to come.

Nintendo is still releasing smaller, more experimental games. While the original Switch had the overlooked fighting game ARMS, the Switch 2 received Drag X Drive, a game few people likely played, but which definitely felt like a Nintendo title. Continuing this trend, Splatoon Raiders seems to break from series norms and explore mechanics that even long-time fans might not ask for, which is a welcome change. I’m glad to see Nintendo trying new things, especially since they’ve recently been relying too much on safe, easy wins that could diminish the appeal of these innovative games.

Nintendo Needs To Move Away From Boring Easy Cash Grabs

Although Nintendo surprised some with a few unexpected games at the launch of the Switch 2, the console is mostly known for simple updates of existing games and sequels that don’t take many risks. For example, the Switch 2 version of Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition actually made the game worse due to technical problems, spoiling what was otherwise a great experience. Likewise, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, despite being a good game, didn’t fully satisfy fans and received a lower score on Metacritic than the original game’s remaster or the unique Metroid Dread.

While simple, familiar games have their place on Nintendo’s handheld consoles, they shouldn’t be the main focus. Nintendo is famous for innovative games, and those should be the priority. However, it looks like the upcoming Switch 2 doesn’t have many new, standout games ready for launch. Instead, Nintendo seems to be relying on re-releasing popular games from the previous console to keep players happy until they can create a new lineup of titles.

It’s unlikely Nintendo can consistently deliver a lineup of games as amazing as the original Switch had in 2017, and that’s okay. But to really innovate, Nintendo needs to take more risks and create games like Splatoon Raiders – titles that refresh familiar concepts. A great way to do this would be through bold spin-offs of their popular franchises or by completely reimagining existing game series.

Nintendo Should Experiment With More Radically Different Spin-Offs

Pokémon Pokopia earned the highest ratings of any Pokémon game ever made, and it didn’t achieve this by simply sticking to the familiar formula. Instead, it took the series in a fresh, innovative direction, playfully challenging established conventions in exciting ways. Essentially, Pokopia didn’t just repeat what other Pokémon games on the Nintendo Switch had already done—it dared to be different. This surprised players in a wonderfully positive way, and it proved to be a huge commercial success. Pokopia went from being an unknown title to a game that could potentially drive console sales.

Nintendo has a knack for taking its popular franchises and reimagining them with fresh gameplay and technology, often resulting in groundbreaking titles. A great example is Metroid Prime, which built upon the classic Metroidvania style and became a huge hit. Splatoon Raiders follows this same pattern, enhancing the original experience without changing what makes it fun, and that’s why I believe it will also be well-received.

Even if Splatoon Raiders isn’t a huge success, like some other innovative but overlooked Nintendo games such as ARMS and Drag X Drive, it will still show Nintendo’s commitment to creativity and trying new things with its games. That willingness to experiment is what I hope defines this era of gaming. Nintendo will likely continue to focus on proven, profitable formulas – it’s what’s made them a major gaming company. However, I’m hoping we see more games like Donkey Kong Bananza, Pokémon Pokopia, Drag X Drive, and Splatoon Raiders during the Switch 2’s lifespan. These kinds of games are what initially drew me – and many others, I suspect – to Nintendo and the Switch.

Should Nintendo try new things with its popular game series? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-04-27 19:14