Metacritic record: Why Switch 2 players love Splatoon Raiders

Splatoon Raiders for the Nintendo Switch 2 (currently available on Amazon for $608) briefly achieved a 9.4 out of 10 user score on Metacritic. For a short time, that made it the highest-rated Nintendo game in the platform's history based on user reviews, surpassing even some of the most beloved Zelda and Pokémon titles. The unusually high rating has sparked plenty of discussion on Reddit. At the time of the shared post, Splatoon Raiders held a 9.4 User Score based on around 540 ratings. It has since slipped slightly to 9.3, which currently places it seventh in Metacritic's all-time user rankings. But what exactly makes the game so popular?

Addictive Gameplay Loop

A look through the Metacritic user reviews quickly reveals what players love most about Splatoon Raiders. One word appears again and again: addictive. Players dive into short raids, blast through waves of enemies, collect new weapons and gadgets, then use the rewards to upgrade their equipment. Stronger builds unlock tougher missions with even better loot, creating a satisfying progression loop. The game's extensive arsenal, featuring multiple weapon rarity tiers and freely customizable upgrades, also plays a major role. Several players say they kept playing long after finishing the campaign simply to experiment with new builds, optimize their gear and chase higher scores.

Splatoon works without PvP

Another recurring point is that Splatoon Raiders appeals not only to longtime fans of the series but also to players who never really enjoyed the competitive multiplayer battles of the mainline games. Several users mention that they spent most of their time in previous Splatoon titles playing the co-op Salmon Run mode and had long hoped for a full game built around that concept. Splatoon Raiders takes Salmon Run's core idea and expands it significantly. Instead of simply surviving waves of enemies, players also explore larger areas while hunting for increasingly valuable loot.

Critics are far less impressed

While Splatoon Raiders has received an overwhelmingly positive response from players, professional critics have been much more reserved. The game's Metascore currently sits at a respectable but unspectacular 81. Reviewers criticize the repetitive mission structure, the need to replay familiar content and the lack of environmental variety. They also point to the game's thin story and argue that it lacks some of the creativity found in previous Splatoon campaigns.

One of the harshest reviews came from The Guardian, which awarded Splatoon Raiders just 4 out of 10. The reviewer argued that the spin-off feels too much like a generic co-op action game and loses part of the distinctive charm that defines the Splatoon series. Players, however, don't seem particularly bothered. For them, the rewarding mix of short raids, plentiful loot and constant progression appears to outweigh those shortcomings.