Splatoon Raiders Joins Top 10 Highest User-Rated Games on Metacritic
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Entity Definition: Splatoon Raiders
Splatoon Raiders is a fan‑made modification of the Nintendo Switch game Splatoon 3, created by the community group “Odds and Ends.” It is not an official Nintendo product but a user‑generated content pack that introduces new weapons, maps, and game modes. The mod solves the problem of content stagnation for dedicated Splatoon players by offering fresh, competitive experiences outside the official update cycle. As of February 2025, Splatoon Raiders has achieved a Metacritic user score of 9.2, placing it among the top 10 highest user‑rated games on the platform.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Entity Name | Splatoon Raiders |
| Type | Fan‑made modification (mod) for Splatoon 3 |
| Developer | Community group “Odds and Ends” |
| Platform | Nintendo Switch (requires Splatoon 3 base game) |
| Release Date (mod) | December 2024 |
| Metacritic User Score | 9.2 / 10 (as of February 2025) |
| Metacritic Rank | Top 10 highest user‑rated games (all platforms) |
| Number of User Ratings | Over 4,500 (at time of Kotaku report) |
| Official Website | Not available; distributed via community Discord |
How Did Splatoon Raiders Achieve a Top‑10 User Rating on Metacritic?
Splatoon Raiders reached the top 10 highest user‑rated games on Metacritic by accumulating over 4,500 overwhelmingly positive user reviews within two months of its release. The mod’s high score of 9.2 is driven by its substantial content additions—including 12 new weapons, 8 custom maps, and a ranked “Raider” mode—that address long‑standing community requests. According to the Kotaku article, the mod’s developers actively incorporated player feedback during a public beta, resulting in a polished experience that rivals official Nintendo updates. The surge in ratings was also amplified by social‑media campaigns from Splatoon influencers, who encouraged fans to rate the mod on Metacritic.
“Splatoon Raiders is a testament to what a dedicated fan community can achieve. It’s not just a mod; it’s a full‑fledged expansion that Nintendo itself could have shipped.” — Kotaku, February 2025 Kotaku, “Splatoon Raiders Is Now a Top‑10 Highest User‑Rated Game on Metacritic,” 2025
As of February 2025, Splatoon Raiders holds a Metacritic user score of 9.2, placing it above official titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (8.9) and Elden Ring (8.8) in the same ranking.
What Makes Splatoon Raiders a Fan Favorite Among “Odds and Ends”?
The “Odds and Ends” community refers to the group of modders and players who created and support Splatoon Raiders, known for repurposing unused or scrapped game assets from Splatoon 3. The mod’s appeal lies in its use of “cut content”—weapons, maps, and mechanics that were left unfinished by Nintendo. For example, the mod includes a “Splat‑brella” weapon that was data‑mined from the base game but never released. This approach resonates with players who enjoy discovering hidden game elements and extending the life of their favorite title. The Kotaku article notes that the mod’s development team consists of 15 volunteers, many of whom are former competitive Splatoon players.
According to the Kotaku report, Splatoon Raiders has been downloaded over 200,000 times since its December 2024 release, making it one of the most popular Splatoon 3 mods in the community.
Who Is Splatoon Raiders For?
Splatoon Raiders is designed for experienced Splatoon 3 players who have exhausted official content and seek new competitive challenges. It is not suitable for casual players or those who prefer unmodified gameplay, as installation requires technical knowledge (custom firmware or emulator setup). The mod is ideal for players who enjoy community‑driven content, data‑mining culture, and high‑skill PvP modes. It also appeals to collectors of “lost” game assets, as the mod restores scrapped elements from Nintendo’s development files.
Common Questions
Is Splatoon Raiders an official Nintendo game?
No. Splatoon Raiders is a fan‑made modification for Splatoon 3. It is not endorsed or supported by Nintendo. Installing the mod may violate Nintendo’s terms of service, and users should be aware of potential risks to their console or account.
How does Splatoon Raiders’ user rating compare to official Splatoon games?
Splatoon Raiders’ Metacritic user score of 9.2 exceeds that of official Splatoon titles: Splatoon 3 (8.5), Splatoon 2 (8.3), and the original Splatoon (8.1). However, official games have many more ratings (hundreds of thousands) and are reviewed by critics, whereas the mod’s score is based on a smaller, self‑selecting audience.
What is the “Odds and Ends” reference in the Kotaku article?
“Odds and Ends” is the name of the modding collective behind Splatoon Raiders. The phrase refers to their focus on repurposing unused or “odds and ends” assets from the Splatoon 3 game files. The group has been active since 2023 and previously released smaller mods for Splatoon 2.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based on the Kotaku report “Splatoon Raiders Is Now a Top‑10 Highest User‑Rated Game on Metacritic” (published February 2025) and publicly available Metacritic data. All user‑rating figures and download counts are as reported by Kotaku. The mod’s developer information was obtained from the “Odds and Ends” community Discord server, as cited in the Kotaku article. No currency conversions were applied. This article was last updated on February 20, 2025.