Splatoon Raiders Becomes 10 Times Better After You Beat It
It is rare for a video game to hold my attention long after the credits roll, but Splatoon Raiders is a remarkable exception. Nintendo’s fresh take on the looter-shooter genre completely captivated me from the start, and I am still hooked. I have poured well over 30 hours into refining my loadouts and pushing my Inkling’s power thresholds to their absolute limits—with no intention of stopping anytime soon.
<p>While <em>Splatoon Raiders</em> takes a little while to find its stride, the payoff in the endgame is immense. This is where the difficulty spikes dramatically, plunging you into punishing missions that rigorously test your arsenal. It is here that the shooter truly blossoms, transforming into an entirely different experience depending on how creatively you configure your gear.</p>
<div class="display-card video large no-badge">
<div class="w-adsninja-video-player">
<div class="an-ignore">
<div class="adsninja-video-player emaki-video-player emaki-video-player-c7e28f50d0e8ba28" id="emaki-video-player-c7e28f50d0e8ba28">
<script>
window.valstream = window.valstream || {};
window.valstream.queue = window.valstream.queue || [];
window.valstream.queue.push(function(){
const fallbackContent = `<button class="prem-player-close">x</button>`;
const fallbackToNativePlayer = function(){
console.warn('Failed to load AdsNinja video player.');
const container = document.getElementById('emaki-video-player-c7e28f50d0e8ba28');
if(!container){
return;
}
container.innerHTML = fallbackContent;
const videoPlayerContainer = document.getElementById('emaki-video-player-c7e28f50d0e8ba28');
if(videoPlayerContainer){
const videoPlayer = videoPlayerContainer.querySelector('video');
if(typeof Waypoint !== 'undefined' && videoPlayer){
const videoPlayerWaypoint = new Waypoint.Inview({
element: videoPlayerContainer,
enter: function(direction){
if(direction == 'up'){
this.element.classList.remove('video-player-floating');
}
},
entered: function(direction){
if(direction == 'up'){
this.element.classList.remove('video-player-floating');
}
},
exit: function(direction){
if(direction == 'down' && !videoPlayer.paused){
this.element.classList.add('video-player-floating');
}
},
exited: function(direction){
if(direction == 'down' && !videoPlayer.paused){
this.element.classList.add('video-player-floating');
}
},
offset: -50
});
}
const closeButton = videoPlayerContainer.querySelector('button.prem-player-close');
if(closeButton){
closeButton.addEventListener('click', function(){
videoPlayerContainer.classList.remove('video-player-floating');
if(videoPlayer){
videoPlayer.pause();
}
});
}
if(videoPlayer && typeof Waypoint !== 'undefined'){
videoPlayer.addEventListener('fullscreenchange', function(){
Waypoint.refreshAll();
});
}
}
};
if(!window.an || typeof window.an.monetizeVideo !== 'function'){
fallbackToNativePlayer();
}
else{
window.an.monetizeVideo(
'.emaki-video-player-c7e28f50d0e8ba28',
JSON.parse(`{\"name\":\"Instream-InContent\",\"groupName\":\"content\"}`),
JSON.parse(`{\"trackingId\":\"in-content\",\"playlist\":[{\"title\":\"Splatoon Raiders \\u2013 Nintendo Direct 6.9.2026\",\"description\":\"\",\"length\":\"2:58\",\"mimeType\":\"video\\/mp4\",\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/video.polygonimages.com\\/2026\\/06\\/splatoon-raiders-nintendo-direct-6-9-2026-1782744922.mp4\",\"thumbnailLink\":\"https:\\/\\/static0.polygonimages.com\\/wordpress\\/wordpress\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2026\\/06\\/splatoon-raiders-nintendo-direct.jpg?fit=crop&w=1024&h=576\",\"textTracks\":[{\"kind\":\"subtitles\",\"label\":\"English\",\"language\":\"en\",\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/video.polygonimages.com\\/2026\\/06\\/splatoon-raiders-nintendo-direct-6-9-2026-1782745285.vtt\",\"default\":false}]}]}`)
).catch(fallbackToNativePlayer);
}
});
</script>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p>Completing the core narrative of <em>Splatoon Raiders</em> requires roughly 15 hours if you tackle every objective along the way. By the time you reach the final encounter, your Inkling will hover around level 40. However, tougher Spicy variants await, demanding that you approach the informal level 50 cap. Once the final boss is defeated, the gameplay escalates rapidly. You unlock the Super Spicy tier, which pushes mission ratings as high as 80 and enforces Survivalist conditions. Beyond that lies the Bottomless Buffet—a relentless gauntlet of escalating arena battles. I am currently navigating floor 85, where the challenge rating scales up to a grueling level 92.</p>
<p>These advanced missions pack a serious punch. Suddenly, battlegrounds become swarmed with aggressive Salmonids attacking from every flank. Survival demands constant, fluid motion and precision shooting. Even standard Salmonids deal surprisingly high damage, let alone the formidable Seasoned variants. It stands as a supreme test of reflexes and endurance, easily matching the most punishing PvE trials found in <em>Splatoon 3</em>’s Salmon Run.</p>
<div class="body-img landscape">
<div class="responsive-img image-expandable img-article-item" style="padding-bottom:56.25%" data-img-url="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/splatoon-raiders-bottomoless-buffet.jpg" data-modal-id="single-image-modal" data-modal-container-id="single-image-modal-container" data-modal-caption='"Image: Nintendo via Polygon"'>
<figure>
<picture>
<source media="(max-width: 480px)" data-srcset="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/splatoon-raiders-bottomoless-buffet.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=500&dpr=2" srcset="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/splatoon-raiders-bottomoless-buffet.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=500&dpr=2">
<source media="(max-width: 767px)" data-srcset="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/splatoon-raiders-bottomoless-buffet.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=800&dpr=2" srcset="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/splatoon-raiders-bottomoless-buffet.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=800&dpr=2">
<source media="(max-width: 1023px)" data-srcset="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/splatoon-raiders-bottomoless-buffet.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" srcset="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/splatoon-raiders-bottomoless-buffet.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2">
<img width="1650" height="928" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="An Inkling fights Salmonids in Splatoon Raiders." src="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/splatoon-raiders-bottomoless-buffet.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" class="img-brightness-opt-out">
</picture>
<small class="body-img-caption">Image: Nintendo via Polygon</small>
</figure>
</div>
</div>
<p>More importantly, this phase of the game serves as an intricate puzzle of ingenuity. The true brilliance of <em>Splatoon Raiders</em> lies in its profound depth of customisation. Alongside hunting for high-tier weaponry and treasure that enhances passive attributes, every gadget can be outfitted with perks that radically alter its functionality. For a significant portion of my playthrough, the Shot Pot has been my trusted instrument. Initially, it functions as a modest auto-firing turret designed to chip away at foes. While the base variant falters in Super Spicy tiers, thoughtful upgrading transforms it into an absolute powerhouse. Currently, I can deploy two simultaneously, boasting maximized firing speeds, extended range, and prolonged duration. They have been modified to project dual-directional explosive blasts accompanied by integrated sprinklers that coat the surroundings in fresh ink. I still retain an open perk slot, which leaves room to shorten cooldown periods, introduce deployment explosions, or emit an enticing pheromone to lure in Salmonids.</p>
<p>Crafting the ultimate gadget represents the core endgame loop of <em>Splatoon Raiders</em>; the mounting difficulty spikes merely serve as incentives to experiment further. I find myself constantly fine-tuning my gear setup after every successful run, occasionally discovering a subtle modification that makes my character feel entirely unstoppable. Combine this with an over-leveling mechanic that allows you to push both gear and character progression past level 50 for incremental stat advantages, and you have an immensely satisfying progression system.</p>
<div class="body-img landscape">
<div class="responsive-img image-expandable img-article-item" style="padding-bottom:56.25%" data-img-url="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/splatoon-raiders-damage.jpg" data-modal-id="single-image-modal" data-modal-container-id="single-image-modal-container" data-modal-caption='"Image: Nintendo via Polygon"'>
<figure>
<picture>
<source media="(max-width: 480px)" data-srcset="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/splatoon-raiders-damage.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=500&dpr=2" srcset="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/splatoon-raiders-damage.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=500&dpr=2">
<source media="(max-width: 767px)" data-srcset="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/splatoon-raiders-damage.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=800&dpr=2" srcset="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/splatoon-raiders-damage.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=800&dpr=2">
<source media="(max-width: 1023px)" data-srcset="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/splatoon-raiders-damage.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" srcset="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/splatoon-raiders-damage.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2">
<img width="1650" height="928" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="An Inkling takes damage in Splatoon Raiders." src="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/splatoon-raiders-damage.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" class="img-brightness-opt-out">
</picture>
<small class="body-img-caption">Image: Nintendo via Polygon</small>
</figure>
</div>
</div>
<p>In my initial review, I likened the endgame of <em>Splatoon Raiders</em> to <em>Vampire Survivors</em>, a comparison that grows increasingly accurate the more time I invest. With the appropriate build optimizations, manual weapon fire becomes almost secondary; your hyper-powered gadgets handle the destruction independently, much like a fully upgraded garlic aura in <em>Vampire Survivors</em>. Equipping your tools with auto-trigger mechanisms allows you to center your efforts entirely on evasive maneuvers. Integrating this approach recently completely revolutionized my combat viability. Meanwhile, the visuals grow gloriously chaotic as waves of Salmonids detonate in vibrant splashes of color. My favorite instances involve those frantic moments where processing the screen becomes secondary, capturing a thrilling, <em>Dynasty Warriors</em>-style pandemonium centered entirely on keeping a cool head amidst overwhelming odds.</p>
<p>If the opening hours of <em>Splatoon Raiders</em> feel a bit restrained, but the core mechanics appeal to you, persevere until you unlock character over-leveling. That is the exact threshold where the experience transforms into a magnificent tempest of ink and adversaries, genuinely challenging both your strategic ingenuity and reaction times. I will see you down on floor 100 of the Bottomless Buffet.</p>
<aside class="display-card article article-card small no-badge active-content" data-include-community-rating="false" id="splatoon-lore-explainer" data-nosnippet>
<img width="440" height="248" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="splatoon raiders artwork" src="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/splatoon-raiders.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=220&h=124&dpr=2" bad-src="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/splatoon-raiders.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=220&h=124&dpr=2">
<span data-field="label" class="article-card-label"><label>Related</label></span>
<div class="w-display-card-content regular article-block">
<h5 class="display-card-title">All the Splatoon lore you need to know before Splatoon Raiders</h5>
<p class="display-card-excerpt">Splatoon's story is so much weirder than you think</p>
<div class="w-display-card-extra">
<div class="total-info extra-comments">
<label class="total-info-label">Posts</label>
</div>
</div>
<div class="w-display-card-details">
<div class="w-display-card-meta"></div>
</div>
</div>
</aside>Source: Polygon
Related articles
X-Men May Revive an Iconic 40-Year-Old Apocalypse Story
26 Years Ago, This Surreal Six-Episode Sci-Fi Masterpiece Changed Anime Forever
How Halo Created Xbox and Started It All
Peggy’s Voice Actor Was Unaware Fans Disliked Her King of the Hill Character
Why Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves 2 May Never Happen Despite a Finished Script
Ryan Gosling Officially Cast as Marvel’s New Ghost Rider
Magic is abandoning a 34-year tradition in 2027 — and 6 more takeaways from MagicCon
5 Flawless Anime Series Where Every Single Episode is a 10/10 Masterpiece