Game · in order
Splatoon Games in Order
Splatoon is four games: the 2015 original, Splatoon 2 (2017) with its essential Octo Expansion, Splatoon 3 (2022) with Side Order, and Splatoon Raiders (July 23, 2026), the first spinoff, a Switch 2 exclusive starring Deep Cut. Release order is story order.
Splatoon Games in Order: complete list
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Why this order?
Release order is story order, and the story is more connected than the turf-war image suggests. The 2015 original sets up Inkopolis and the Great Turf War lore; Splatoon 2 (2017) continues it, and its Octo Expansion DLC is the series' storytelling peak, the campaign that introduces Agent 8 and reframes the whole world from the Octoling side; Splatoon 3 (2022) pays all of it off in its Return of the Mammalians campaign and adds the roguelite Side Order DLC as a stylish epilogue. Each campaign stands alone mechanically, but the lore payoffs (and returning idols) reward playing in sequence.
Splatoon Raiders is the new chapter and the reason to get current: the franchise's first true spinoff, launching July 23, 2026 exclusively on Switch 2, starring the Splatoon 3 idol trio Deep Cut (Shiver, Frye and Big Man) on a mysterious island. You do not strictly need the earlier games, but Raiders is built on Splatoon 3's cast, so at minimum knowing Deep Cut from 3 is the difference between a fun adventure and a fan event.
Practical notes for 2026: the original Wii U game is effectively a museum piece (its online service is gone), so its campaign is the one entry you can genuinely skip without guilt; Splatoon 2 and 3 both run on any Switch, and both DLC campaigns are worth full price in a way DLC rarely is. If you only play two things before Raiders, make them the Octo Expansion and Splatoon 3's campaign.
Timeline 2015-2026
Every entry by release year: rows that share a year are a cluster, and the long droughts are called out on the rail.
- 2015 Splatoon
- 2017 2
- 5-year gap
- 2022 3
- 4-year gap
- 2026 Raiders
Where to play it today
- Splatoon 2 and 3 (and their DLC) run on any Nintendo Switch; Splatoon Raiders is Switch 2 exclusive
- The 2015 original is Wii U only and its online service has been discontinued
Availability changes often and varies by region - links search each platform for Splatoon.
Frequently asked questions
How many Splatoon games are there?
Four: Splatoon (2015, Wii U), Splatoon 2 (2017) with the Octo Expansion DLC, Splatoon 3 (2022) with the Side Order DLC, and the spinoff Splatoon Raiders (July 23, 2026, Switch 2).
What order should I play the Splatoon games in?
Release order, which is also story order: Splatoon, Splatoon 2 plus Octo Expansion, Splatoon 3 plus Side Order, then Splatoon Raiders. The campaigns stand alone mechanically, but the lore builds in sequence.
Do I need to play the other games before Splatoon Raiders?
Not strictly: Raiders is a spinoff adventure. But it stars Deep Cut, the idol trio introduced in Splatoon 3, so playing 3 first (and ideally the Octo Expansion) turns cameos and callbacks into payoffs.
Is the Octo Expansion worth it?
Yes, unreservedly: it is the best story content in the series, a harder, stranger campaign that introduces Agent 8 and recasts the world from the Octoling perspective. If you play one piece of Splatoon DLC, make it this.
Can I skip the original Splatoon?
Yes: it is Wii U only and its online service is discontinued, so only the single-player campaign remains reachable. The important lore it establishes is recapped naturally by the sequels.
What is Splatoon Raiders?
The franchise's first spinoff: a Switch 2 exclusive launching July 23, 2026, starring Deep Cut (Shiver, Frye and Big Man) investigating a mysterious island. It is a story-led adventure rather than a turf-war sequel; Splatoon 4 remains unannounced.
Last verified · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, nintendo.com, Wikidata
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