On the night of June 10, 2025 (JST), Nintendo officially announced a new spin-off title in the Splatoon franchise, Splatoon Raiders, via its official YouTube channel. Additionally, a major update for Splatoon 3 was introduced in the same video. Fans responded enthusiastically across social media platforms.
Official Video Here.
Introduction of Splatoon Raiders
The announcement came as a surprise. Late on June 10, 2025 (JST), Nintendo updated its official YouTube and X (formerly Twitter) accounts to share the news.
According to the announcement as of June 10, Splatoon Raiders is currently in development exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. While many details remain unclear, the promotional footage revealed vibrant gameplay, building excitement for this new spin-off.
The game’s story is set in the Uzushio Islands, and the main character, “Mechanic,” teams up with Deep Cut, a popular trio first introduced in Splatoon 3 and successors to Squid Sisters and Off the Hook from previous titles. Notably, Deep Cut is portrayed as partners rather than mere guides—a significant narrative shift.
Major Update for Splatoon 3 Also Announced
The video also revealed that a major update for Splatoon 3 will roll out on June 12, 2025 (JST). This includes 30 new weapon sets under the “Bankara Collection,” featuring sets from the “Barazushi” and “Shichirin” series—combinations of existing main weapons, sub-weapons, and specials.
Notably, the update will reintroduce the Urchin Underpass stage from the original Splatoon, alongside brand new gameplay features.
Moreover, Nintendo also addressed minor hardware bugs that had occurred shortly after the release of the Nintendo Switch 2. That these issues were resolved within a week reflects Nintendo’s continued commitment to quality and user satisfaction.
This update, dubbed Version 10.0.0, will be available for free.
What Does This All Mean?
While BunkaCast will soon follow up with a deeper analysis article, a few immediate takeaways are noteworthy:
- As of 22:30 JST, June 10, Nintendo had not yet published a dedicated product page for Splatoon Raiders.
- This suggests that only a limited number of staff and partners may have been privy to this spin-off’s development—a testament to Nintendo’s tight security protocols.
- The sudden launch of Nintendo Switch 2 earlier this year, with no credible leaks beforehand, also reflects this controlled approach.
Such secrecy is a double-edged sword: while it maintains the element of surprise and protects intellectual property from potential copycats, it also fuels user demand for information. Nonetheless, it ultimately serves the fans’ best interest.
Unrevealed Flagship Titles
Interestingly, several major IPs remain unannounced for Nintendo Switch 2, including:
- Super Mario
- The Legend of Zelda
- Animal Crossing
- Pokémon (managed by The Pokémon Company: Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures Inc.)
Although Mario Kart World launched with the new hardware, it was the first fully new entry since Mario Kart 8 for Wii U. Other key franchises like Super Mario remain conspicuously silent—raising both excitement and expectations.
However, Nintendo’s track record demonstrates that it thrives under pressure. BunkaCast, like many fans, looks forward to future announcements.
This article is based on official information released as of June 10, 2025 (JST).
Thumbnail image sourced from the official Splatoon X account.
