Updated

Updated · Reno Gazette Journal · Aug 7

Splatoon Raiders Lands 8.5/10 on Switch 2 as Co-op Loot Shooter Refreshes Splatoon

Updated

Updated · Reno Gazette Journal · Aug 7

Splatoon Raiders Lands 8.5/10 on Switch 2 as Co-op Loot Shooter Refreshes Splatoon

Q: Will the lack of split-screen ruin Splatoon Raiders' appeal for families seeking the ultimate Switch 2 co-op experience?

No. It will hurt Splatoon Raiders’ appeal for some families, but it is unlikely to ruin it outright. The game’s strongest asset is clearly its co-op design. Reviews and guides agree that most of the campaign can be played with two to four players, with replayable PvE missions, instanced loot drops for each player, and level scaling that lets stronger and weaker players team up without breaking progression. That makes it an attractive family game in structure and tone, especially with Splatoon’s humor and approachable action. The problem is practical, not conceptual. Splatoon Raiders has no split-screen or couch co-op, and it also lacks GameShare support. In practice, that means each family member needs a separate system and a separate copy of the game to play together, whether online or via local wireless. For households hoping the Switch 2 would deliver an easy living-room co-op experience on one TV, that is a significant barrier and arguably the game’s biggest accessibility weakness. That said, families who already own multiple consoles may find the absence of split-screen less damaging. The co-op itself appears robust enough to justify the design choice, and the review’s 8.5/10 score suggests the multiplayer loop still works well despite some scaling and control issues. So the missing split-screen does not sink Splatoon Raiders, but it does keep it from being the definitive family co-op showcase many Switch households may have wanted.

2 articles · Updated · Reno Gazette Journal · Aug 7

An 8.5/10 review calls Splatoon Raiders a successful Splatoon spinoff that drops PvP in favor of a co-op campaign built around Salmon Run-style combat and loot-driven progression.
The $49.99 Switch 2 game leans on replayable stages, random weapon drops, tank and gear loadouts, and boss fights, giving players reasons to rerun missions for stronger builds.
Co-op is the standout feature, with online play unlocking early and level scaling helping mixed-skill groups, though the review says solo often feels easier and non-host players have limited control.
Missing split-screen, no game sharing, murky stage visuals, uneven music, and the lack of a quick-restart option are cited as the main drawbacks despite strong writing and solid production values.
The review frames Raiders as a promising new direction for the series, especially for players who prefer cooperative multiplayer and want a campaign distinct from Splatoon's three mainline games.