Splatoon 3

Developer(s)	Nintendo EPD
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Release Date(s)
Nintendo Switch	WW: September 9, 2022
Nintendo Switch	WW: September 9, 2022
Platform(s)
Sales	10.67 million
Genre(s)	Third person shooter
Download Size	6 GB
Rating(s)
ESRB	04
PEGI	02
CERO	01
ACB	02
USK	02
SMECCV	02
GRAC	01
CID	01
GSRR	01

Splatoon 3 is a third-person shooter for the Nintendo Switch, releasing on September 9, 2022. It is the third game in the Splatoon series and the sequel to Splatoon 2. It takes place in a desert region called the Splatlands and the city of Splatsville instead of the highly urban locales of the first two games.

Gameplay

Gameplay screenshot.

As with previous games, players cooperate in two competing teams of four. Players can splat opponents, use items, and perform special moves. In each gameplay, the head colors are switched.

Squid Surge

Squid Roll

Players can now gain speed boosts while swimming up walls (Squid Surge), as well as perform twisted turns with brief invincibility (Squid Roll). Players can costumize their attire and headwear, gaining new stats and abilities, and purchase additional gear. Players can also add slots and shift abilities by trading a certain amount of Ability Chunks. For weapons, players would have to use Sheldon Licenses (which can be earned in level progresses) to purchase weapons in-game. Weapons are also upgradable based on the player's current level, and the prices increase in the same aspect. Players can post artwork through the Mailbox, both horizontally and vertically. The game's news, Anarchy Splatcast, are hosted by Shiver, Frye, and Big Man, a trio known as Deep Cut. The news can alternatively be viewed in the hub world's HUD.

Splashtags are customizable.

Splashtags are a new feature, where players can choose their titles, customize colors, and include badges. They are shown at the start and end of each battle. Players can also choose their victory poses (Emotes).

In the Lobby, unlike past games, players can test out their chosen weaponry while waiting for matches. They can also choose "ghost" players and be recruited to a game they chose. Players can also interact with "ghost" players in real-time, as well.

Players can design their lockers and view others online.

Lockers, a new customizable feature, allow players design their own lockers, as well as view other players' lockers. Colors, adhesives, and sizes are some of the adjustable features for lockers. Additional stickers, and various other collectable items, can be purchased at the Hotlantis store.

Ability to view and upload replays has been added. A new photo mode allows players to customize and take pictures, which can be stored in the Lockers.

Players can receive Catalogs by earning Catalog Points in battles, which allows players to earn new items. New Catalogs are planned for release every three months for two years.

Turf War

In Turf War battles, players engage in a 4-team battle against another in a time limit of 3 minutes. The team with the most territory inked claims victory, regardless of the number of opponents hit.

Anarchy Battles

In Anarchy Battles, players engage in 4-on-4 objective-themed battles, in which they earn more ranking points and currency based on performance. Splat Zones, Tower Control, revamped Rainmaker, and Clam Blitz are the games confirmed for Anarchy Battles. Unlike Ranked Battles, there seems to be a 3-life limit, but winning 5 battles can help the player progress. Anarchy Battles are divided into two versions: Series and Open. Series is only for "solo players" and has life limits, while Open is a single-match game - playable as solo or with Friends.

X Battles and League Battles will also return in a future update.

Weapons

New weapon types have been added. The following include:

• Stringers - Archery-type chargeable weapons that shoots out three rays of ink simultaneously.
• Splatanas - Katana-type weapons that swipes and shoots out rays of ink. Can be charged and swiped vertically.
• Painbrush - A new member of the Brush that has lower handling but deals greater damage. (Sizzle Season)
• S-BLAST '92 - A blaster-type weapon based on the Super Scope. (Sizzle Season)

Many of the series' previous weapons return, including the Single and Dual Weaponry, Chargers, Rollers, Brushes, Buckets, Umbrellas, etc.

New weapons are being periodically added in updates.

Special Weapons

When fully charged by shooting enough ink (or by using an ability), players can use special weapons to defeat multiple opponents and spread ink, as well as to gain new temporary skills. Players can also aim their special attacks, depending on which one is used. New and returning special weapons are implemented in the game, including modified versions of the ones from the original Splatoon game.

A new special weapon, the Super Chump, was added in the Fresh Season update. It allows players to shoot balloon-like decoys that bursts shortly after landing. Their landing spots are identical to a regular Super Jump spot, making them manipulative.

Stages

Initial stage line-up.

Stages are divided based on the location of their in-game region. Players can also test play any stage of choice for one hour in Recon Mode.

These are the stages confirmed to appear in the game:

• Splatlands
  • Scorch Gorge (new)
  • Eeltail Alley (new)
  • Mincemeat Metalworks (new)
  • Undertow Spillway (new)
  • Hagglefish Market (new)
  • Brinewater Springs (new; Chill Season 2022)
  • Um'ami Ruins (new; Fresh Season 2023)
  • Barnacle & Dime (new; Sizzle Season 2023)
  • Crableg Capital (new; Drizzle Season 2023)
  • Shipshape Cargo Co. (new; Drizzle Season 2023)
  • Robo ROM-en (new; Chill Season 2023)
• Greater Inkopolis
  • Museum d'Alfonsino
  • Hammerhead Bridge
  • Mahi-Mahi Resort
  • Flounder Heights (Chill Season 2022)
  • Bluefin Depot (Chill Season 2023)
• Returning stages:
  • Inkblot Art Academy
  • Sturgeon Shipyard
  • MakoMart
  • Wahoo World
  • Manta Maria (Fresh Season)
  • Humpback Pump Track (Sizzle Season 2023)

New stages are being periodically added via updates.

Challenges

A new mode introduced in the "Sizzle Season" update, Challenges are time-limited events that appear in online matches. Players compete in unique gameplay in a set mode and stage (e.g. Tower Control in "Too Many Trizookas") . Shell-Out Tokens can be earned after winning 5 stamps. Calibrated scores for "Challenge Powers" are calculated after 5 matches.

These are the following modes in Challenges:

• Too Many Trizookas - A battle focused only on Trizooka specials. Restricted to weapons of that special.
• Foggy Notion - Battles that take place in foggy environments
• Extreme Jump Battle - Players have high-jumping abilities.

Splatfests

Deep Cut performing at a Splatfest

Splatfests are periodical in-game events where players choose a theme and join the team of what was chosen. Players cannot change the team that was chosen, and are required to participate in Splatfest battles. Also, the player will be given an exclusive Splatfest-themed shirt based on the chosen theme. In addition, Splatfests are led by the performances of Shiver, Frye, and Big Man, and have special exclusive soundtracks that play during the battles. Unlike past games, in a series first, Splatfests consists of three-team battles in a single stage during progress, known as "Tricolor Turf War", which take place later in the Splatfest. Afterwards, an announcement will detail the leading team and runner-ups. The leading team will begin at the center of the stage, while two opponents from each two competing teams will start at the ends of the stage. All three teams battle against each other in a 2v4v2 battle. During "Tricolor" battles, the Ultra Signal is a beacon that will help whichever runner-up team contacted it, and, once processed, will spread out ink for the team. A Deep Cut member will also comment on the successfully-processed player. There are at least two Ultra Signals available in a match.

The first Splatfest was held prior to the game's launch on August 27, 2022, and the theme was "Rock, Paper, Scissors".

Story Mode

Cap'n Cuttlefish in Splatsville.

The game features a new story mode where an Inkling, recruited as Agent 3, will fight off the fur-covered Octarians. It will take place at a snowy region, called Alterna. More details found below.

Tableturf Battle Dojo

Tableturf Battle Dojo screenshot.

Tableturf Battle Dojo is a brand-new battle game where players engage in 1-v-1 puzzle games.

Using elements of Turf War, players use cards to outnumber the amount of squares placed. Like Turf War, the person with the most "turf" claims victory.

Each and every card has different shapes and patterns for player advantage.

Salmon Run Next Wave

A returning mode from Splatoon 2, Salmon Run Next Wave is a co-op multiplayer mode where players would battle off against the Salmonids and collect golden fish orbs. New mechanics, abilities, enemies have been added. Unlike the past game, it is always open to play.

Big Run

As part of the Fresh Season update, "Big Run" is an occassional timely mode in which players would be encouraged to play Salmon Run co-op battles where they are sometimes encountered by a boss battle. Additionally, the overall gameplay environment, including the Splatsville area, become more eeire. Only the gameplay music become unchanged.

Story Mode: Return to the Mammalians

The player is once more recruited as Agent 3 as part of the new Squidbeak Splatoon. The Inkling is accompanied by a Smallfry ally.

Players would navigate through various linear levels with new challenges, rescuing Zapfishes.

Fur-like substance, known as Fuzzy Ink or Fuzzy Ooze, are found in Alterna, which is a mix of gradient-colored and fur inks. Contacting with it causes the Inkling to grow massive fur on his/her entire body, disabling almost all moves except for rolling around. However, the Smallfry companion can eat off the substance as they appear to be immune. In fact, they can be thrown to eat the fuzzy substances in order to access certain areas.

SplatNet 3

On the Nintendo Switch Online phone app, players can have access to exclusive features such as items and gear. Players can also support Crusty Sean depending on the amount of ink used in battles, which can earn players rewards. Players can check their in-games stats and download wallpapers for smart devices.

Amiibo

Splatoon series Amiibo is compatible with this game.

Amiibo is also supported for this game, and a wave of three Splatoon 3-themed amiibo figures was released. Players can earn new exclusive gear, save outfit data, and take pictures with the amiibo character used.

The entire Splatoon series amiibo is compatible.

Expansion Pass

In addition to free updates, the game will have an Expansion Pass. It will come in two waves.

Wave 1: Inkopolis

The first wave features Inkopolis from the original Splatoon game, where many returning shopping characters appear with updated designs. New characters replace Sheldon and Crusty Sean: Shelly & Donny (Ammo Knights), and Fred Crumbs (Shrinp Kicks). It also includes Salmon Run and Tableturf Battle. Environmentally, the new location is included as an extra hub, but current items and features of Splatoon 3 are maintained.

The Squid Sisters also appear and perform during Splatfests, performing songs from the original Splatoon.

Wave 1: Inkopolis was released on February 28, 2023.

Wave 2: Side Order

The second wave consists of an all-new single-player campaign, named Side Order. It appears to take place in a ruined Inkopolis Square, and the player controls an Octoling in a white suit as they progress a series of challenges with the help of enhancing color chips. The gameplay was designed to be "replayed over and over".

It was released on February 22, 2024.

General differences from past entries

In addition to new features and content, the following is a list of general changes from the past entries:

• Players begin and respawn from a miniature launch pad, and can adjust where to land in the starting area.
• When transforming to Squid form, a large blob of ink briefly appears.
• After being KO'ed, the camera highlights the defeating opponent from an aerial shot.
  • The shot changes, along with the blob transformation, are likely made to help reduce online bullying from the previous games.
• The HUD during battles appear to be more detailed, illuminated, and animated.
• In-game graphics have been improved.
• There's no waiting time during lobby match-ups prior to battles.
• Rainmaker battles now have checkpoints.
• Octolings are now a standard in-game option.

Resolution and performance

The game chiefly runs at 60fps, while 30fps in the Splattsville hub world. The maximum resolution is 1080p in docked mode, with a drop down to 820p. Portable mode is displayed up to 720p. A small portion of the game also uses FSR 1.0 upscaling. The overall performance has reportedly been improved from prior entries, as well.

Development

The game was revealed on February 17, 2021 as a part of a Nintendo Direct.

Release

The game was released on September 9, 2022 on Nintendo Switch.

Reception

The game received favorable reviews from critics and players alike, earning a score of "83" on Metacritic from 114 critic reviews.

Sales

According to a report from Nintendo, the game sold 3.45 million copies in the first three days of its release. The company also called it the "highest domestic sales level" for any Switch game (possibly referring to Japan sales).

Trivia

• The game appears to be set in a post-apocalyptic setting, in vein to the Mad Max film franchise.
• Splatoon 3 is the series' first game:
  • Where 3 teams battle simultaneously (through Splatfests)
    • And have two-person teams fight alongside
  • To introduce three idols instead of two
  • To have a sequel released on the same system
  • To have a new mode dedicated to 1-on-1 match-ups.
  • Where "Ranked Battles" have been renamed and revamped
  • To have vertical options for both photo and drawing postings
  • In which a Salmonid (Smallfry) is a companion rather than an enemy
  • Where many courses and (modified) Special Weapons from the original Splatoon game return
  • To notably introduce archery- and katana-inspired weapons
  • To be released in the 2020's
• Composer Ryo Nagamatsu's last credited work before departing Nintendo in 2023.

External links

• Splatoon 3 at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
• Splatoon 3 at GameFAQs
• Official Website (Japanese)
• Squid Research Lab Details for Splatoon 3