Nintendo Has Been Silent on Its Most Exciting Multiplayer Game

by

Nintendo is famous for creating fun and inventive games, whether you play alone or with others. Titles like Donkey Kong Bananza and Mario Kart World are great examples, and they have another game coming out this year. However, even though this new game is important for the Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo hasn’t shared many details since the first announcement trailer. Everyone has high hopes for it, especially longtime fans, but I’m starting to wonder what’s happening with Splatoon Raiders.

Although Nintendo hasn’t officially announced whether Splatoon Raiders will have multiplayer, it’s likely to include it, considering how popular the Splatoon series is as a multiplayer game. Even if Raiders focuses on a single-player experience, it’s a good sign for the future of Splatoon, as successful elements from the game could appear in Splatoon 4. Either way, Splatoon fans have something to look forward to!

Splatoon Raiders Is a Surprise Treat For Fans

The announcement of Splatoon Raiders last year generated a lot of excitement. The Splatoon series has come a long way since it started as a unique and colorful shooting game. Now, it’s one of Nintendo’s biggest multiplayer games, enjoyed by everyone from casual players to those who compete seriously. With each update, Splatoon adds new ways to play, like the incredibly popular Salmon Run, which keeps people coming back for more. Given how loved the game is, a spin-off focused on team-based action felt natural, and Splatoon Raiders seems poised to deliver just that.

The new game introduces a character called the Mechanic, who teams up with Deep Cut in a strange place called the Sprihalite Islands. If the game includes multiplayer, Nintendo has a few choices. The simplest would be for Deep Cut to be secondary characters, letting players create and customize their own Mechanic to play alone or with others. While this seems most probable, players might also be able to play as Deep Cut, potentially allowing four players to team up with each character possessing special skills.

I’m excited that Splatoon Raiders seems like a natural progression from Salmon Run, which is easily my favorite part of the Splatoon series. Nintendo has often pointed to how much players enjoy and keep coming back to Salmon Run, especially in Splatoon 2. Turning that experience into a standalone game could give fans the in-depth gameplay, character progression, and lasting objectives they’ve been hoping for. It also allows Nintendo to try new things in ways that wouldn’t quite work within the main Splatoon games.

Splatoon Raiders Could Be a Single-Player Test for Splatoon 4

It’s possible the new Splatoon Raiders game won’t focus on multiplayer, which, while popular, isn’t the series’ strong suit. Improving the single-player experience is exactly what Splatoon needs. The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 would be ideal for creating a larger, more immersive Splatoon world, and Splatoon Raiders seems to be laying the groundwork for that kind of game. The basic idea behind Raiders gives Nintendo a clear path to building a more expansive single-player experience.

Imagine a Splatoon game where each playthrough is different, like Returnal, but with a bright, colorful Splatoon twist. Players would explore the island, discover hidden secrets, and overcome challenges. Successfully completing parts of a run could unlock new items and upgrades for a home base run by Deep Cut, motivating players to try out different weapons and gear. The existing respawn mechanic in Splatoon would fit perfectly with this style of gameplay. Plus, this would be a unique direction for Nintendo, as they don’t currently have many major games in the roguelike genre.

It would be amazing to see a Splatoon game made in the roguelike style. If popular, Nintendo could even build on it and create a complete co-op mode for Splatoon 4. Considering Salmon Run already includes some roguelike features, a full-fledged version feels like a natural progression. Fans consistently request more player-versus-environment content in Splatoon, and Nintendo has been gradually adding it. Splatoon Raiders is a perfect chance to really develop this, with the potential for more varied maps, enemies, missions, and ways to progress.

Nintendo’s Silence Makes the Wait Even More Intriguing

Nintendo is generally good at timing game announcements and sharing details with fans, though there have been exceptions like the long development of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. After revealing Splatoon Raiders, Nintendo has been quiet, probably focusing on polishing the game for release. Many fans expect Nintendo to break the silence and offer updates on Splatoon Raiders during the first major Nintendo Direct presentation in 2026.

There’s a benefit to keeping quiet before a game’s announcement. It lets fans speculate and get excited, which builds anticipation and attracts attention. A strong build-up to the release date can really help a game succeed. However, waiting too long can backfire, leading to frustration. After the popularity of Splatoon 3, fans were hoping Nintendo would quickly follow up with something new. While the Switch 2 news is good, they’re now really looking forward to the next full game.

The recent lack of updates doesn’t necessarily mean anything is wrong – it could actually indicate something big is being planned. Sometimes, spin-off games are used to test new ideas or set the stage for the next main game in a series. Since Splatoon 4 is likely in development, Splatoon Raiders might be offering a sneak peek at the new features, improved graphics, or gameplay changes Nintendo is working on. While the silence is annoying, it could also mean the project is becoming more elaborate than initially expected. I’m confident Splatoon Raiders will live up to expectations and continue the success of what has become one of Nintendo’s most popular franchises.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

Read More

2026-02-13 21:13