Nintendo has opened pre-orders for Splatoon Raiders, the new Switch 2-exclusive single-player action game launching on July 23, 2026. The digital price came in lower than most Switch 2 releases, and there is a $10 gap between the digital and physical versions that is worth understanding before you decide where to buy. Here is everything you need to make that call today.
Splatoon Raiders Release Date and Platform
Splatoon Raiders launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on July 23, 2026. It is not coming to the original Nintendo Switch, and there is no PC or console version. If you do not own a Switch 2, there is no way to play it at launch. Pre-orders are live now on the Nintendo eShop and at physical retailers across the US and UK.
Splatoon Raiders Price — Digital vs Physical Explained
This is the most important thing to know before you pre-order. Splatoon Raiders is priced at $49.99 digitally and $59.99 physically in the US — a $10 difference between formats. In the UK, the digital version is £41.99 and the physical is £49.99. This is Nintendo’s new pricing structure for Switch 2-exclusive digital titles, introduced first with Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, and Splatoon Raiders is only the second game to use it.
The digital version is the better deal on price alone. However, some retailers have been listing the physical edition at or near the digital price since pre-orders went live, so it is worth checking before you commit. Reports from multiple outlets indicate the physical release ships as a standard game cartridge rather than a game-key card, though Nintendo has not confirmed this directly on its store page.
Where to Pre-Order Splatoon Raiders
Digital pre-orders are live on the Nintendo eShop at $49.99. Physical pre-orders at $59.99 are available at Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, and Walmart. Some retailers have been offering the physical edition at discounted prices close to the digital price point, so checking all four before buying is worth a few minutes. Pre-orders are also live at My Nintendo Store in the UK. For more upcoming releases, see our full list of Nintendo Switch 2 games.
Does Splatoon Raiders Have Multiplayer?
Yes. Despite being a single-player focused game, Splatoon Raiders supports up to four players in co-op through the entire campaign, either online or via local wireless. This is not a separate multiplayer mode — you and up to three friends can raid the Spirhalite Islands together throughout the whole game. Online co-op requires an active Nintendo Switch Online membership plus a broadband connection. Local wireless play does not require NSO. Nintendo has not confirmed whether the difficulty changes based on how many players are in your session.
Splatoon Raiders Amiibo — Price, Pre-Orders, and What to Know
Three new amiibo launch alongside Splatoon Raiders on July 23, 2026, featuring Frye, Shiver, and Big Man in their new Raiders designs. Pre-orders for all three are already live on Nintendo’s website. In North America each figure costs $24.99, meaning the full set of three comes to $75 — $25 more than the digital price of the game itself. In the UK, Nintendo lists them as a Deep Cut triple-pack priced at £49.99, with a July 22, 2026 release date.
One design detail worth knowing: the bases of all three figures clip together to form a unified display stand. Nintendo has not yet confirmed what the amiibo unlock in-game. Splatoon amiibo sell out fast at launch — if you want all three, pre-ordering now is the safer move rather than waiting for launch day availability.
Key Specs Before You Buy Splatoon Raiders
The digital download is listed at approximately 20GB on Nintendo’s US store page. The game supports TV, Tabletop, and Handheld modes. Nintendo has rated it Everyone 10+ with a Fantasy Violence descriptor in North America, and PEGI 7 in Europe. If you are buying for a younger player, both ratings confirm it is appropriate for most ages.
Is Splatoon Raiders Worth Pre-Ordering Right Now?
At $49.99 digital, Splatoon Raiders is priced well below most Nintendo first-party Switch 2 releases — under the $70–$80 range of Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. For a game that includes a full single-player campaign plus four-player co-op, that price is fair before you even know how long the game is. The campaign length and full story details are still unconfirmed, which is the only real reason to hold off rather than buy now.
If you are already a Splatoon fan, pre-ordering at $49.99 digital locks in the lowest confirmed price with no real downside. If you are new to the series and unsure, waiting for early impressions after launch is a reasonable approach. Either way, if the amiibo interest you, pre-ordering those separately sooner rather than later is the right call given how quickly Splatoon figures disappear from shelves. For background on the Deep Cut characters appearing in this game, check our Splatoon 3 coverage.
