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Koalaty Critics

Splatoon Raiders Australian Review Roundup – Koalaty Critics

Australian critics have weighed in on Splatoon Raiders, applauding its fresh take on the Splatoon formula

SCORE8.0

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Splatoon Raiders is a single-player (though there is co-op) focused spin-off from Nintendo’s multiplayer shooter series that takes it in a colourful new direction.

Australian critics have praised its inventive gameplay, strong build variety and signature Splatoon charm. However, several reviewers felt the single-player experience lacks the depth needed to sustain it.

Splatoon Raiders was released in Australia on July 23, 2026, for the Nintendo Switch 2.

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Here’s what Australian critics are saying about the game.


KOALATY CRITICS – AUSTRALIAN CRITICS

WellPlayed – 10/10 (Jade Stevenson)

“You know you’ve hit gold when your biggest criticism of a game is that you just wanted more. Between the fast-paced, technical gameplay, the depth of the build mechanics, and the irreverent design that underpins the Splatoon series, this is an experience that’s shockingly hard to fault. Go play it.”

Read the review:
https://www.well-played.com.au/splatoon-raiders-review/

Press Start – 8.5/10 (Harry Kalogirou)

“While it doesn’t quite escape some of the issues of its inspirations, Splatoon Raiders is a novel spin-off of one of Nintendo’s most creative franchises.”

Read the review:
https://press-start.com.au/reviews/nintendo-switch-2-reviews/2026/07/21/splatoon-raiders-review/

Checkpoint Gaming – 8/10 (Bree)

“Despite being a single-player experience, Splatoon Raiders still has heaps of great frantic gameplay moments that can be found in a mainline Splatoon game and a great cast of characters to boot. While it is lacking in some of the style options of the series, there is still a lot of amazing weapon customisation to be found, and many different gameplay styles to embrace.”

Read the review:
https://checkpointgaming.net/reviews/2026/07/splatoon-raiders-review-a-well-seasoned-meal/

Player 2 – 8/10 (Paul James)

“Splatoon Raiders is colourful, chaotic, frantic and fun, but it just doesn’t offer enough for the solo player. Where the limited suite of options is sufficient for those partnering up to play, the single-player experience wears a bit thin after ten hours, while the spike in difficulty at the game’s conclusion is far from the typical level of Nintendo fairness to younger Nintendo players.”

Read the review:
https://www.player2.net.au/2026/07/splatoon-raiders-review-style-without-enough-substance/

Vooks – 4/5 (Oliver Brandt)

As far as experiments go, Splatoon Raiders is certainly successful at bringing something new and different to the      table. It’s a game that revels in its freedom from competitive play, offering new perspectives and concepts that recontextualise classic Splatoon gameplay into something that feels both familiar and fresh.”

Read the review:
https://www.vooks.net/splatoon-raiders-switch-2-review/

Stevivor – 6/10 (Steve Wright)

“At every point playing Splatoon Raiders, I merely felt like I was going through the motions. Bouncing between it and Marathon — as I’m level 60 and want to hit level 100 before this season ends simply so I can get my final PlayStation Trophy in it and never play it again — I felt like both games were more of a job than anything resembling fun.”

Read the review:
https://stevivor.com/reviews/splatoon-raiders-review-round-and-round-we-go/

REVIEW VERDICT

Splatoon Raiders Australian Review Roundup

8.0 SCORE

Koalaty Critics Aggregator Score

WellPlayed10.0
Press Start8.5
Checkpoint Gaming8.0
Player 28.0
Vooks8.0
Stevivor6.0
Dylan Blight
WRITTEN BY

Dylan Blight

[He/Him] Dylan Blight is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Explosion Network, an independent Australian publication covering video games, film, television and pop culture. Since founding Explosion Network in 2017, Dylan has written and produced reviews, news, interviews, features and podcasts across the entertainment industry, while overseeing the publication's editorial direction and content.

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