For decades, Nintendo has been the company that creates the ultimate family consoles. They also offer a great opportunity for kids to explore different genres through a safe medium. Nintendo has always been praised for its ability to take various genres and make them both fun and wildly creative. That being said, no series has reached such a high level of creativity as Splatoon has.
One of Nintendo's biggest points is how they make sure to put entertainment as a priority in its development. This can be exemplified in almost every game and endeavor they embark upon. Some may not work, but the rewards always make the risk worthwhile. Splatoon takes the fun and entertainment of competitive shooters and brings in the idea of competitive painting to create a unique and fun experience for fans.
Nintendo hadn't delved into shooters deeply before Splatoon. However, when the first game released in 2015, it was a runaway hit. With the archives of Nintendo games hard to come by, it's refreshing to see new and exciting titles maintain the same standard that even its oldest titles have. Splatoon separates itself from the competitive shooter pack mainly by implementing the painting feature.
Instead of win conditions revolving around who has the most points, it focuses on players covering the map with their team's color. These win conditions force players to think strategically in many different ways. With paint weapons coming as rollers, guns and brushes, there are many different ways to win. Depending on the weapons, players have to figure out where their strengths lie to achieve victory. For younger gamers, this promotes thinking critically and strategically. This helps by teaching them how to think outside of the box and knowing how to approach situations.
Nintendo is no stranger to having their properties cross-over in fun and unique ways. Splatoon is no different and has been seen in games like Super Smash Bros. A lot of its appeal and spreading to other properties has to do with how fun the world of Splatoon is. Its lore doesn't play too large of a role in the gameplay. However, a DLC for the Octo expansion and the manga and in-game content gives a glimpse of the world. As players dig, they are treated to a world where squids and octopi evolved into humanoid creatures that battle it out in turf wars in a vibrant city.
Being in a world of humanoid squids and octopi 10,000 years after humanity's fall can be shocking to anyone. However, in a world where wars are fought with paint, things could easily be a lot worse. While there are only two installments, Nintendo has made sure to give Splatoon enough care and attention to make the world dense enough to stand with some of its most beloved properties.
Characters like Mario have been known to accessorize with some cool cosmetic power-ups. In Splatoon, the accessories may not always give power-ups, but they offer something just as engaging, expression. In Splatoon, players can change their inkling boy or girl with fun pieces of clothing and weapons to help them stand-out in a crowd. At its core, Splatoon is more than just a fun shooter. It's a game that weaponized self-expression in the most fun ways possible. Nintendo has made some creative games in the past, but Splatoon's ability to let players enjoy a world with its own story and style, however they'd like, puts it at the top.