Splatoon Raiders, the single-player spin-off released for Nintendo Switch 2 on July 23, 2026, has taken the number one spot on the UK physical software charts for the week ending July 25. The new title displaced previous top-seller Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced to claim the peak position less than a week after hitting store shelves.
Developed by Nintendo EPD, the title takes the long-running franchise in a fresh direction. Moving away from the competitive multiplayer loops that defined the main trilogy, Splatoon Raiders strands the Deep Cut trio on the Spirhalite Islands after a helicopter crash. Players team up with the characters in an action-adventure campaign focused on exploration, treasure hunting, and fighting through hordes of Salmonid enemies.
The shift toward single-player mechanics represents a notable departure for a franchise built on team-based turf wars over the last eleven years. Series producer Seita Inoue noted that after developing three mainline games back-to-back, the development team sought an opportunity to explore new concepts. Early critical reception has supported the shift, with reviewers highlighting the title’s progression mechanics, loot systems, and revised shooting controls as key strengths. Inoue also reassured fans that Nintendo remains committed to competitive Splatoon content in the future.
Nintendo hardware exclusives maintained a visible presence across the broader UK Top 20 list for the week. Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream moved up to the third position, while Pokemon Pokopia held strong at number six. Star Fox placed at fifteen, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remained in the twentieth spot, continuing its multi-year sales run alongside its current-generation successor, Mario Kart World.
