Splatoon Raiders #1 in UK Charts: Handheld Gaming's Next King?

Splatoon Raiders didn’t just launch—it dominated. The new IP debuted at #1 on the UK all-format software chart for the week ending July 25, 2026, unseating last week’s leader Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced. For handheld gamers, this isn’t just a sales number; it’s a signal that the Switch 2’s library is already producing franchise-starters that resonate on portable hardware. The chart tells a broader story about what handheld players are buying, replaying, and how Nintendo’s ecosystem continues to thrive.

Splatoon Raiders: A Handheld Showcase That Delivers

Nintendo’s newest ink-splatting shooter hitting #1 its first week isn’t surprising — Splatoon has always been a handheld darling thanks to quick, bite-sized matches that fit perfectly into portable sessions. Splatoon Raiders likely leverages the Switch 2’s improved hardware for smoother 60fps gameplay and faster load times, but the core appeal remains the same: drop in, splat, drop out. The chart position confirms that players are embracing a new entry without the baggage of a numbered sequel, which bodes well for the platform’s long-term software diversity. For anyone playing on the go, this is the kind of momentum that turns a good console into a must-own one.

The Long Tail: Why Handheld Gamers Keep Buying Old Favorites

Look further down the chart and you’ll find Mario Kart 8 Deluxe at #20, Animal Crossing: New Horizons at #22, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom at #27—games released years ago, still charting. This is the handheld player’s shopping list: evergreen titles that offer endless replayability without requiring a constant internet connection. Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream holds strong at #4, proving that quirky life sims are a staple for portable play, while older cross-platform hits like The Witcher III (#26) and GTA V (#19) remind us that handheld gamers value deep, single-player experiences they can chip away at during commutes. The chart underscores a distinct pattern: handheld players reward longevity. New releases like Splatoon Raiders grab headlines, but the real strength of the ecosystem lies in its ability to keep selling software years after launch.