Splatoon 3 is one of the most anticipated Nintendo Switch games of 2022. Announced early last year, it was one of the biggest parts of the September 2021 Nintendo Direct. With Splatoon 2 selling over 12 million copies and becoming one of the highest-selling titles on the Switch, fans are excited to jump into the next installment.
The game brings with it the promise of new weapons, abilities, and items that will make the online multiplayer gameplay even more fun. Perhaps the biggest part of this new installment, though, will be the arrival of an even bigger Story Mode than what was included in previous installments. Here's what we know so far about Splatoon 3.
Splatoon 3's Trailer
Nintendo announced Splatoon 3 with a trailer during the February 2021 Nintendo Direct. The second trailer was released during September's Direct, which opens with a battle in the Turf Wars multiplayer mode. It shows characters entering the match from the new Spawner Drones, which allows them to jump quickly into battle. The trailer shows off several weapons, including the new Crab Tank robot that transforms into a ball. From there, the trailer showcases the game's new locations and customizable characters.
Midway through, the footage gets "hacked" and shows off what looks like the new set of villains. They are called Mammalians, and they appear to be mutated Octarians with brown fur. This leads into footage of the game's new story mode, "Return of the Mammalians." There are some quick cuts to trippy levels from the campaign, with one appearing to be inspired by Marvel's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. These new levels and camera angles indicate some drastic changes are coming to the series' formula.
Splatoon 3's next trailer dropped during the February 2022 Nintendo Direct. This centered around the co-op gameplay mode, Salmon Run Next Wave, and features Inklings fighting in a military base-like area as they depart from a helicopter donning tactical gear. The trailer reveals a new arena, the Sockeye Station, as well as new boss Salmonoids, such as Fish Stick, Flipper Flopper, and King Salmonoid. The Inklings must use every tool at their disposal to defeat these bosses and protect the eggs these villains are hiding.
Another trailer revealed more information about Splatoon 3 including its release date. This trailer featured a Turf War match, showing off about three-and-a-half minutes of gameplay and providing a look at some of the game's new weapons in action.
Most recently, Splatoon 3 received its own Nintendo Direct, providing a half-hour of information about the game. The city of Splatsville, with its towering skyscrapers and colorful signs, is shown in all its glory. Plenty of Turf War combat is on display. The Direct showed off several of the 12 battle stages available, including Eeltail Alley, consisting of urban streets and alleys, and Mincemeet Metalworks, which is a metal factory floor. Some stages return from previous games, such as the Museum D'Alfonsino and Mahi Mahi Resort. A few of the shops where the player can buy items, weapons, and outfits were visited, including the Ammo Knights weapon store where Sheldon Licenses can be traded for any weapon that corresponds to the player's level.
The Lobby, which is the gathering place for gamers to find battles with others, is the next to show up in the video. It has a test range for trying out weapons, "ghosts," which are holograms of online friends that can be tapped to join their games, a station to view replays of battles, and a locker room where the player can decorate their locker with stickers and selfies while also storing their gear. Other customizable features illustrated in the video include splash tags that appear before battle and emotes that the characters perform when they win.
Finally, a Splatsville news team named Deep Cut was introduced. Frye, Sizzle, and a big manta ray named Big Man will provide info and news bulletins via the player's in-game sea cucumber phone. The trio seems as though they will figure prominently into the game's proceedings.
What We Know So Far About Splatoon 3
Splatoon 3 brings back the iconic Turf Wars mode from previous entries, creating even more frantic and exciting 4v4 multiplayer battles. There are several new items and weapons featured, such as the Crab Tank, the Big Bubbler, and the massive Trizooka. There is also a new bow-like weapon that can sling ink called the Stringer. Notably, the game will offer new moves that increase movement and allow players to dodge attacks and cover more ground. This was shown in the trailer with the new Zipcaster powers that allow characters to stretch out and stick to walls.
The Direct also showed off new ways Inklings can move when swimming. The Squid Surge ability lets them swim to the top of a wall in a single burst, and players can perform a Squid Roll when jumping out of the ink, repelling enemy ink in some cases.
All weapons from past Splatoon games are returning, and more are being added. Among them are the Stringer and Splatana. After inking up enough turf, special weapons can be unleashed, such as the Wave Breaker, which shoots waves out in a radius around the player, and the Reefslider, which can be steered into opponents before it eventually explodes. Special weapons can be paired with regular weapons to create interesting new combos.
In addition to the Turf Wars, other modes of play include Anarchy Battles wherein players compete for rankings. These consist of four rotating types of battle, including Splat Zones, where one team must hold the active zone from competitors, Tower Control, wherein players ride a rising tower to its top, Rainmaker, where the titular object must be carried to the goal, and Clam Blitz, wherein players throw clams to score. Gamers can better prepare for battle with Recon Mode, which allows them to scope out the different stages alone.
A new mini-game called Table Turf Battle is being introduced with this title, wherein players create unique decks of cards, of which 150 will be available at launch, and use them to compete. In addition, special events have been disclosed, such as the "Big Run" that will occur every few months. Not much was shared about it other than that it involves Salmonids invading the city. Splatfest will be returning to the game with the World Premiere occurring on August 27. Not many details were given, but the Premiere's theme is Rock, Paper, Scissors. The Splatlands Invitational 2022 Tournament was also announced, which will see some winners of the Splatooon 2 Inkopolis Showdown compete at PAX West on September 5.
The most touted part about Splatoon 3 appears to be the new story mode, "Return of the Mammalians." The base game is set in a sun-spanked desert known as the Splatlands, which also includes a city known as Splatsville. The player character is tasked with joining Agent 3 in the battle against the new creatures, the Mammalians. In the story, players travel to Alterna, where a mysterious substance known as Fuzzy Ink is turning Inklings into brown, fuzzy creatures. This story also promises the return of iconic characters like Squid Sisters Callie and Marie and Cap'n Cuttlefish, who now goes by Craig.
Returning to Splatoon 3 will be the Salmon Run co-op mode, now called Salmon Run Next Wave. Like before, Inklings will gather eggs by defeating bosses known as Salmonoids and carry those eggs to baskets. Inklings will now be able to use an Egg Throw ability to pass Golden Eggs to allies or deposit them while away from baskets. Along with new bosses, all Salmonoid bosses from Splatoon 2 will return.
Some other aspects of the game were featured in the Direct as well. These include a mailbox where players can post illustrations that will display around the city and in stages, The Shoal, where players can find games with people nearby, and SplatNet 3, which is compatible with smart devices, so gamers can always check out their stats.
When Will Splatoon 3 Release?
Splatoon 3 will launch on September 9, closing out what is going to be a busy summer for Nintendo. In addition to Mario Strikers: Battle League and Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes in June, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 was released in July. Splatoon 3 is available to preorder on the Nintendo Switch eShop now, and it can be pre-loaded to the console so players can start the fun as soon as the game is available.
The Splatoon 3 Direct indicated new weapons will regularly be added post-launch, as well as two new modes, though not many details were given. X Battle will be available for those with extremely high rankings in Anarchy. League Battle involves teams based on Anarchy Battle results competing and will be accessible every two hours. Large-scale paid DLC will also arrive in the future. Finally, amiibo figures were announced to be coming this holiday.