Splatoon Raiders: the seventh-highest-rated game on Metacritic and what it means for Nintendo

Intelligence Summary
- Splatoon Raiders scores 9.3 on Metacritic and is now the seventh-highest-rated game. Here’s what it means for Nintendo and players.
In short
- Splatoon Raiders has a user score of 9.3 on Metacritic and sits in seventh place in the rankings.
- The game is rated higher than iconic titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey.
- The game launched on 23 July 2026, less than a week before this article.
Analysis by GAME-scanner
The launch of Splatoon Raiders on 23 July 2026 has surprised the gaming community with a Metacritic user score of 9.3, placing the game seventh in the rankings. That is especially notable because it outperforms established titles like Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey. The game delivers a fresh single-player experience, marking a significant shift for the Splatoon franchise, which is usually focused on multiplayer battles. By replacing competitive elements with a richer story and RPG mechanics, the game appears to have been well received by players. This success could point Nintendo in a new direction, with the company possibly placing more emphasis on single-player experiences in its popular franchises.
What does this mean for players?
For gamers, Splatoon Raiders is a valuable addition to their library, especially for those looking for an immersive single-player experience. The high user score of 9.3 suggests that players are responding positively, which could help grow the community and lead to more future content. This success may also influence Nintendo’s strategy for future releases, with a greater focus on single-player experiences in its popular franchises.
Timeline
23 July 2026: Splatoon Raiders is released.
27 July 2026: Splatoon Raiders reaches a Metacritic score of 9.3 and enters the top 10 highest-rated games.