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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.

By the SplatAtlas editorial team · Last updated: 2026-07-29

Splatoon Raiders gameplay: the Mechanic exploring an island beach with the Exploration Bot
Image © Nintendo.

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?

Published figures run from under 10 hours to about 30, and the two sources that explain the spread blame different things. Nintendo Life puts it on how much you play: under 10 hours if you clear only the levels the story forces on you, around 15 if you play most levels as they unlock. Game8 puts it on difficulty: about 20 hours overall, but roughly 15 on Tourist against roughly 30 on Survivalist. Both levers are real and they stack, which is why community reports scatter from 8 hours to 30. After the credits, Game8 adds roughly 30-40 hours to take the Bottomless Buffet to floor 100 and 50+ for genuine completion. One practical note that follows from a fact on our controls page: difficulty changes enemy level and nothing else, so choosing Tourist buys the shorter number without costing you any loot.

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, so 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.

Updates & Patch Notes | Endgame & Post-Game | Co-op | Amiibo

Related guides

Sources

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.