Written by Chen Xi, PC & Console Requirements Specialist at Game Launch Hub
Splatoon Raiders System Requirements: Nintendo Switch 2 File Size, Performance & What You Need to Know
Splatoon Raiders is Nintendo’s first single-player focused Splatoon spin-off, a looter-shooter that transforms the series’ Salmon Run mode into a full campaign set across the mysterious Spirhalite Islands. Performance-wise, this is a first-party Nintendo exclusive built specifically for the Switch 2, and the technical results are strong: Digital Foundry describes it as a “safe but satisfying tech upgrade” that maintains a rock-solid 60 fps even when the screen fills with enemies, ink, and explosions. Because the game is not available on PC, PS5, or Xbox, there are no traditional system requirements to report. What matters for a buyer instead is the file size, the resolution and frame rate, and the online requirements you will need to clear before playing. This article covers all three, pulled directly from Nintendo’s official eShop listing and verified performance analysis from Digital Foundry and other outlets.
System Requirements
Nintendo Switch 2
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Platform | Nintendo Switch 2 (exclusive) |
| Firmware | Latest Nintendo Switch 2 system software |
| Storage Required | 13.1 GB (digital download, per Nintendo eShop) |
| MicroSD Card | Nintendo Switch 2 is only compatible with microSD Express cards if you need extra space |
| Resolution (Docked) | Typically 1440p, occasionally dipping to 1260p |
| Resolution (Handheld) | Native 1080p |
| Performance Target | Rock-solid 60 fps during gameplay, including intense combat with hordes of enemies; cutscenes generally target 30 fps but occasionally run at 60 fps |
| Number of Players | 1 (single-player), 2-4 local wireless, 2-4 online |
| Online Requirements | Nintendo Switch Online membership required for online play and Save Data Cloud |
| Additional Notes | HDR output supported on compatible TVs; amiibo supported; surround sound (linear PCM) supported; no Joy-Con mouse mode support |
Source: Nintendo eShop listing for Splatoon Raiders, Digital Foundry’s technical review, and NEXTN’s technical analysis. Last verified: 22 September 2026.
What this means in practice: The 13.1 GB download size is the most important practical number here. That is a meaningful but manageable chunk of the Switch 2’s internal storage, and the console only supports microSD Express cards for expansion, which are more expensive and less common than standard microSD cards. If you plan to keep several large games installed at once, budget for an Express card before you buy Splatoon Raiders. The rock-solid 60 fps is the headline technical achievement. Digital Foundry’s testing confirmed that the game “maintains a rock-solid 60fps throughout intense action” even when rendering “hordes of geometrically complex, physics-based adversaries” alongside chaotic ink splatters, explosions, and power eggs. The 1440p docked resolution is a significant upgrade over Splatoon 3’s dynamic 840p to 1080p range, and the native 1080p handheld mode is a massive improvement over the original Switch’s 540p to 720p range. The one caveat is anti-aliasing, which Digital Foundry notes “remains a weak point” even with the hardware upgrade, with portable mode receiving “no anti-aliasing treatment at all.” The game is not compatible with Joy-Con mouse mode, which Digital Foundry found “surprising” given the series’ shooter mechanics. Online play requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership, and Save Data Cloud is also gated behind that subscription.
PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch: Not Available
Splatoon Raiders is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. There is no PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or original Nintendo Switch version, and Nintendo has not announced plans for any of those platforms. Screen Rant’s platform analysis confirms the game is “coming exclusively to the Nintendo Switch 2” and describes it as “the series’ first exclusive for the new console.” GameDeveloper’s coverage similarly refers to it as “the latest Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive.” If you do not own a Switch 2, you cannot play Splatoon Raiders at this time.
Steam Deck and Handheld PCs: Not Available
Because there is no PC version of Splatoon Raiders, the game is not playable on Steam Deck, ROG Ally, or any other Windows-based handheld. The Nintendo Switch 2 version is the only way to play.
Cross-Platform Play: Not Applicable
Since Splatoon Raiders is exclusive to Switch 2, there is no cross-platform play with other systems. However, the game supports local wireless play for 2-4 players and online play for 2-4 players, both of which require additional consoles and copies of the game for local wireless, and a Nintendo Switch Online membership for online play. The game also supports Nintendo Switch Online’s GameChat feature, which allows voice communication during online sessions.
Final Verdict: Should You Clear Space for Splatoon Raiders on Your Switch 2?
Splatoon Raiders asks for 13.1 GB of your Switch 2’s internal storage, which is a real commitment on a console that ships with 256 GB and only supports microSD Express cards for expansion. If you already have several large games installed, you will likely need an Express card before you can download Splatoon Raiders comfortably. The performance profile is excellent: a rock-solid 60 fps during gameplay, 1440p docked resolution, and native 1080p in handheld mode. Digital Foundry’s testing confirms that the game maintains its frame rate even when the screen fills with enemies and effects, which is a genuine technical achievement. The main visual weaknesses are weak anti-aliasing and no Joy-Con mouse mode support, but neither affects the core gameplay experience. The game supports 1-4 players across single-player, local wireless, and online modes, and the campaign takes roughly 35 hours to complete according to NEXTN’s review. If you own a Switch 2 and enjoy the Splatoon series or third-person shooters, Splatoon Raiders is one of the console’s strongest exclusives and an easy recommendation.
Requirements and performance details may change with future system updates or patches. This article reflects the Nintendo eShop listing, Nintendo’s official product pages, Digital Foundry’s technical review, Screen Rant’s platform analysis, NEXTN’s technical analysis, and Game8’s file size data as of 22 September 2026. Chen Xi verifies all specifications by checking official store pages and dating each table; no numbers in this article are estimated or inferred.