Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the questions everyone is searching for — sourced from Nintendo’s official pages and cross-checked against post-launch testing.
Last updated: 2026-07-29
Multiplayer & platforms
Does Splatoon Raiders have couch co-op or split screen?
No. Splatoon Raiders supports only one player per console — there is no split screen or shared-screen couch co-op. Co-op for 2-4 players works online or over local wireless, and every player needs their own Switch 2 and their own copy of the game.
Can I play co-op with one copy using GameShare?
No. Splatoon Raiders does not support GameShare, so you cannot beam the game to a friend’s console. Each player needs their own copy.
Can you play Splatoon Raiders on Switch 1 or Switch Lite?
No. Splatoon Raiders is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. It does not run on the original Switch, Switch OLED, or Switch Lite, and Nintendo has not announced any cross-generation version.
Do you need Nintendo Switch Online to play?
Only for online co-op. The full story campaign is playable solo with no subscription, and local wireless co-op does not require NSO either. Note that multiplayer itself unlocks after you clear the first three raids of the story.
Is there PvP in Splatoon Raiders?
No. Unlike mainline Splatoon, Raiders is entirely co-op PvE — you fight Salmonid hordes solo or with up to three friends. There are no Turf War or ranked-style versus modes.
Story, endings & save data
How long does Splatoon Raiders take to beat?
Reviewers consistently report roughly 10-18 hours for the story campaign depending on difficulty and side content, and 40+ hours for full completion including the post-game Bottomless Buffet and Hidden Ruins.
How many endings are there?
Four ending variations are reported: the standard ending, a bad ending (triggered by losing the final showdown against the Salmonarch), a post-credits scene, and a secret ending tied to clearing sub-level 100 of the Bottomless Buffet and defeating Lord Saltimatum. See our endgame guide for the full conditions.
Are there multiple save files?
No — the game keeps a single save file per profile, with autosave. If you want a fresh start, you play on a different user profile.
Can you respec skill points?
No. Skill point allocation is permanent, and the same goes for gadget development choices and dismantled weapons — spend deliberately. Stages themselves are all replayable, so no mission or collectible is permanently missable.
Can I change my character’s appearance or name later?
Yes. Both your appearance and your name can be changed at any time from the Style menu — nothing about your character at creation is locked in.
Difficulty, drops & amiibo
Does difficulty affect drops or rewards?
The three difficulty settings (Tourist, Raider, Survivalist) change enemy strength only — rewards are identical, and you can switch freely at the Hideout Ship. The reward-relevant axis is dungeon heat: Spicy runs improve Gadget Part drops, and 5-star weapons only drop from Super Spicy content unlocked after the final boss.
What do amiibo actually unlock?
Cosmetic outfits only — no stat boosts. The three Deep Cut amiibo (Shiver, Frye, Big Man) each unlock a themed outfit, and any other Splatoon-series amiibo unlocks the Bite Waders set. Scanning becomes available after clearing the first three raids.
Is there a day-one patch?
Yes — Ver. 1.1.0 shipped on July 22, 2026, the day before launch, with music adjustments and bug fixes. It is required for online play. See our update history page for full patch notes.
Is there New Game Plus?
Nothing announced or discovered so far. The post-game loop instead centers on the Bottomless Buffet endless dungeon, Hidden Ruins, and Super Spicy versions of dungeons. We will update this page if that changes.
Sources: Nintendo’s official support pages and product listings, plus cross-checked reporting from Game8, GameWith, and Nintendo Life as of July 29, 2026. Community-reported details are labeled as reported until verified in-game.