Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • GamesRadar+ Replay
  • Mario Day deals
Don't miss these
New games for 2026 featured image showing Leon Kennedy from Resident Requiem, Lucia from GTA 6, Hugh and Diana from Pragmata, and Coen from The Blood of Dawnwalker
Games New games 2026 and beyond: The biggest video game release dates for PS5, Xbox Series X, PC, Switch, and more
Upcoming Switch 2 games banner image showing a figure holding out their hand from Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave, Yoshi from Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, Ditto in human form with Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Scyther, Timburr in Pokopia, and Mario from Mario Tennis Fever
Nintendo Switch 2 Upcoming Switch 2 games: New Nintendo Switch 2 games for 2026 and beyond
The back of an anime-style character wearing a sword and shield
JRPGs Bandai Namco teaser gives JRPG fans real hope for a new Tales game as Elden Ring 2 holdouts put their clown makeup on
A trainer looking out at the ocean during the trailer for Pokemon Winds and Waves
Pokemon Pokemon Winds and Waves: Everything we know about the next Pokemon game so far
Four pictures of games from our selection of the best Switch 2 games list, showing Donkey Kong, Cloud from Final Fantasy, Mario and Luigi, and three starter Pokemon.
Games The 20 best Switch 2 games to play in 2026
Upcoming Switch games for 2026 banner showing Mega Man from the All Star Force Collection, Witches in Witchbrook, a large woman in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, and Fiona in Neverway
Action Games Upcoming Switch games for 2026 and beyond
The Duskbloods screenshot Switch 2
Action Games The Duskbloods: Everything you need to know about FromSoftware's Switch 2 exclusive
Close up of the Salmon Run Splatoon 3 keychain sitting on a Switch copy of Splatoon 3.
Toys & Collectibles The new Splatoon 3 Salmon Run merch at Nintendo is so ink-citing, but it's UK only for now
A woman in a underwater machine waving during the cinematic teaser for Subnautica 2.
Survival Games Subnautica 2: Everything we know about the new underwater survival game
Mario Kart World screenshot Switch 2
Super Mario Mario Kart World content update seemingly leaked by Nintendo itself, players think a fan-favorite mode is returning
Deltarune
Games Nintendo Indie World Showcase announced for tomorrow with "15 minutes of news and updates"
A screenshot of the upcoming Switch 2 game, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave with a character using a purple energy blast
Games Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave – Everything we know about the strategy game's Switch 2 debut
Nintendo Switch 2 console on a stand against a red background
Games Nintendo doesn't want Switch 2 eShop to "become a giant slop fest," New Blood CEO claims
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Sky
Pokemon Gen 10? Pokemon fans are manifesting new Mystery Dungeon and Ranger games instead
Arc Raiders pink survivor bag
Third Person Shooters If you want to keep some blueprints in Arc Raiders after each Expedition, it's not "off the table," but it is "tricky"
  1. Games
  2. Action Games
  3. Splatoon

As Nintendo Direct rumors swirl, updated Splatoon Raiders trademark releases copium that we may hear about the upcoming Switch 2 exclusive soon

News
By Scott McCrae published 3 February 2026

We could be seeing two Directs this month if rumors are to be believed

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Splatoon Raiders screenshot showing the Mechanic exploring a mysterious island
(Image credit: Nintendo)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
0
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

A new trademark for Splatoon Raiders has sparked hopes that the series spinoff will re-emerge soon, perhaps even as part of a Nintendo Direct.

Splatoon Raiders was announced on a random day last June via the Nintendo Today app – marking the first time Nintendo used it to confirm the existence of a brand new game. And despite a massive September 2025 Nintendo Direct taking place in the time since, we actually haven't heard anything about the first Nintendo Switch 2-exclusive Splatoon game since it was announced.

A Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase is already pegged to be coming this week if the rumor mill is to be believed, and there has been talk of Nintendo following it up with a proper Nintendo Direct soon after – albeit, from less reliable sources – possibly as soon as the third week of February. However, a recent Splatoon Raiders trademark listing has given some hope that this may actually happen.

You may like
  • Rhythm heaven groove screenshot showing 5 little white blob men More mysterious Nintendo trademarks updated amid Direct rumors, but one has made me less certain these mean anything
  • Elden Ring Nintendo Direct is back this week with a Partner Showcase where delayed Elden Ring Switch 2 port could finally reemerge
  • New Nintendo Direct reportedly coming next week, but don't get too hyped for Mario or Zelda

As spotted by MikeOdysseyYT on Twitter, the US Patent and Trademark Office has released updated trademark information for Splatoon Raiders with a publication date of February 17, 2026 – the third week of February. They note that trademarks have previously heralded this sort of thing, specifically noting the Virtual Boy trademark being updated last March.

However, trademarks also get routinely updated by companies, and this happening doesn't necessarily mean news about Splatoon Raiders – or a Nintendo Direct – is on the way, but it's a nice bit of copium that we can either celebrate or get bummed out about in a few weeks time.

Nintendo president reportedly teases new games for popular series are in development, which I hope means we're getting a 3D Mario title for Switch 2 sooner rather than later

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
TOPICS
Nintendo Direct
CATEGORIES
Nintendo Switch 2 Platforms Nintendo
Scott McCrae
Scott McCrae
Social Links Navigation
Contributor

Scott has been freelancing for over three years across a number of different gaming publications, first appearing on GamesRadar+ in 2024. He has also written for the likes of PC Gamer, Eurogamer, VG247, Play, TechRadar, and others. He's typically rambling about Metal Gear Solid, God Hand, or any other PS2-era titles that rarely (if ever) get sequels.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Rhythm heaven groove screenshot showing 5 little white blob men
More mysterious Nintendo trademarks updated amid Direct rumors, but one has made me less certain these mean anything
 
 
Elden Ring
Nintendo Direct is back this week with a Partner Showcase where delayed Elden Ring Switch 2 port could finally reemerge
 
 
New Nintendo Direct reportedly coming next week, but don't get too hyped for Mario or Zelda
 
 
Upcoming Switch 2 games banner image showing a figure holding out their hand from Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave, Yoshi from Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, Ditto in human form with Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Scyther, Timburr in Pokopia, and Mario from Mario Tennis Fever
Upcoming Switch 2 games: New Nintendo Switch 2 games for 2026 and beyond
 
 
Switch 2 with Donkey Kong Bananza art on screen on wood pattern table next to accessories.
Game publisher reveals and then backtracks the announcement of two new Switch 2 cartridges
 
 
Nintendo Switch 2 console on a stand against a red background
Nintendo doesn't want Switch 2 eShop to "become a giant slop fest," New Blood CEO claims
 
 
Latest in Splatoon
Close up of the Salmon Run Splatoon 3 keychain sitting on a Switch copy of Splatoon 3.
The new Splatoon 3 Salmon Run merch at Nintendo is so ink-citing, but it's UK only for now
 
 
Splatoon 3 Inkopolis
As Splatoon 3 gets a Switch 2 upgrade, Switch 1 players see a visual downgrade to "reduce differences in game operation speed as much as possible"
 
 
Splatoon 3
Nintendo announces Switch 2 exclusive Splatoon spinoff via its official app, proving it's very serious about getting you to download Nintendo Today
 
 
An Inkling looking shocked as she stares at the Smash Bros. logo in the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate reveal trailer.
Splatoon 3 has a Switch 2-exclusive bug that's giving squid fans an advantage on the new console, even without an update: "Pay to win"
 
 
Splatoon 3 screenshot of Inklings and Octolings on two different teams on the street
Splatoon 3 took Nintendo's paint-'em-up series to new heights – and while doing it, proved shooters need more imagination
 
 
Splatoon
New Nintendo patent implies veteran Splatoon developers are behind that mystery Minecraft-like game playtested last year
 
 
Latest in News
Key art for Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen showing Venasaur against a swirling green background, cropped for a header image
Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen have been on Switch for over a week, but many players are still stuck in Oak's Lab
 
 
Big Walk
"Complicated feelings on our end": Indie devs behind new Peak-like co-op understand you think it's friendslop
 
 
A Na'vi draws a bow in Avatar: Fire and Ash
James Cameron says Avatar 4 is still "very likely", despite Fire and Ash making $870 million less than The Way of Water
 
 
Ghost of Yotei Legends
"Mark my words. You cannot win without 4 players," Ghost of Yotei multiplayer lead warns of Legends' "hardcore content"
 
 
Dragon Age 2
Dragon Age 2 was originally planned to be "much bigger" before EA made other demands, says series lead
 
 
A soldier holding a gun and running through a battlefield with a group, showing the strong multiplayer elements and crisp visuals of Battlefield 6.
Battlefield 6 devs reportedly hit with layoffs after what EA called "the biggest launch in franchise history"
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Key art for Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen showing Venasaur against a swirling green background, cropped for a header image
    1
    Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen have been on Switch for over a week, but many players are still stuck in Oak's Lab trying to get shiny starters: "I'm going to cry"
  2. 2
    James Cameron says Avatar 4 is still "very likely", despite Fire and Ash making almost a billion dollars less than The Way of Water
  3. 3
    How to make and move duckweed in Pokemon Pokopia
  4. 4
    "Complicated feelings on our end": Indie devs behind new Peak-like co-op understand you think it's friendslop, but "it's a slight bummer that the other half of the term is the 'slop'"
  5. 5
    "Mark my words. You cannot win without 4 players," Ghost of Yotei multiplayer lead warns of Legends' "hardcore content," all but guaranteeing a flood of players trying to prove Sucker Punch wrong

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...