Splatoon Raiders Hits No.1 in UK Charts After Switch 2

Fresh off its launch, the Switch 2 spin-off Splatoon Raiders has climbed to the top of the UK software sales chart for the week ending July 25, 2026—an unusually fast rise for a franchise entry that leans heavily into single-player treasure hunting rather than competitive multiplayer.

What launched and why it’s trending

Splatoon Raiders released on July 23, and within less than a week it took first place on the UK weekly software chart. The game has also been notable for its direction shift: instead of centering on the franchise’s hallmark competitive style, it follows the Deep Cut trio after a helicopter crash strands them on a mysterious chain of islands. Players land on the Spirhalite Islands, team up with Deep Cut, and pursue loot-focused objectives across a primarily single-player adventure.

What changed (UK chart snapshot)

Splatoon Raiders topped the UK software sales chart for the week ending July 25, 2026.
The previous UK #1, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, was displaced by Splatoon Raiders.
Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream rose to #3, moving up one spot from the prior week.
Pokomon Pokopia held at #6.
Star Fox sits at #15.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains in the Top 20.

Practical impact for players

For players, the chart result is a clear signal that Nintendo’s risk—publishing a Splatoon entry that prioritizes missions, progression, and loot combat against Salmonid enemies—has landed with buyers in the UK. The game’s reception is also described as strongly positive, with praise aimed at moment-to-moment gameplay, the mission structure and progression systems, and the way the shooting mechanics have been reinvented compared with mainline entries.

Platform scope and what comes next

The weekly chart data discussed is UK-only, and it doesn’t break out performance by other regions such as North America or Japan. Still, the momentum is being framed as evidence that Nintendo’s Switch 2 strategy for the franchise is paying off.

When Splatoon Raiders was first announced, its single-player focus surprised many fans, but producer Seita Inoue said the team had spent 11 years focused on three mainline games, making the opportunity to build something different particularly appealing. Inoue also indicated that competitive gameplay remains important for the future, which fans have interpreted as a strong hint toward continued franchise development beyond this spin-off.