Splatoon Raiders sets a Metacritic record for Nintendo
Splatoon Raiders, the Switch 2 exclusive single-player spin-off from Nintendo's Splatoon franchise, has become the highest user-rated Nintendo game on review aggregator Metacritic with a score of 9.3 out of 10, according to coverage dated 28 July 2026. The title surpassed The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, which had held the previous top Nintendo user-score spot at 9.2. Across more than 700 player reviews (NME reports 800, Metro reports 802, Nintendo Life reports over 700), Splatoon Raiders is tied for seventh among all-time user-rated games on the platform, alongside releases such as the original Silent Hill 2 and Resident Evil Requiem.
Critic and player scores diverge sharply
The strong player reception contrasts with a more measured critical response. Splatoon Raiders carries a "generally favourable" Metacritic critic score of 8.1 (81/100), placing it 65th among 2026 releases and outside the top 60 for the year. Nintendo Life awarded the game 9/10, describing it as "the best single-player Splatoon," while nearly half of respondents to the outlet's reader poll rated it 9/10 and roughly a quarter gave it a perfect score. Metro described the title as "fun but unambitious, and quickly forgettable," and noted no evidence of score manipulation, suggesting the enthusiasm reflects genuine appetite for the franchise rather than coordinated voting. For context, Splatoon 1 holds an 8.7 user score and Splatoon 2 an 8.4, while Splatoon 3 sits at 7.3 — making Splatoon Raiders' standing unusual within its own series.
Early commercial signal in the UK
Splatoon Raiders was the United Kingdom's top-selling game in its launch week, Metro reported, though the outlet noted a typical summer release drought limited competing releases. Splatoon 2's lifetime sales of 13.6 million remain the franchise benchmark, and whether Splatoon Raiders can match or exceed that figure remains uncertain. Japanese weekly sales data, where the franchise is traditionally strongest, is expected to be published shortly and will offer a clearer picture of its domestic performance.
Zelda 40th anniversary hardware reportedly planned
In separate coverage, leaker 'Shpeshal Nick' reported on social media that Nintendo is preparing a Zelda-themed Switch 2 console and Pro Controller as part of The Legend of Zelda's 40th anniversary in 2026. According to the leaker, the hardware will be "Zelda themed" and "not necessarily" tied to the Ocarina of Time remake specifically. Nintendo has so far officially confirmed the remake and shared early looks at the live-action Legend of Zelda film scheduled for Spring 2027, and a dedicated Zelda Direct presentation appears to be anticipated before the remake's release.
Nintendo's Miyamoto defends remake strategy
Nintendo boss Shigeru Miyamoto defended the company's decision to remake Star Fox 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, arguing that younger players lack access to older releases and that remakes meet that demand while raising awareness of the originals. The Ocarina of Time remake is slated to launch in 2026, alongside the previously announced anniversary hardware and film.
Follow-up signals
The next verifiable milestones include the publication of Japanese weekly sales data for Splatoon Raiders, an anticipated dedicated Zelda Direct presentation expected to formalise anniversary hardware plans, and the planned 2026 release of the Ocarina of Time remake.
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