Splatoon 3 game poster and cover art

Game Introduction

Splatoon 3



Genre


Third-person shooter / Action / Competitive multiplayer with a focus on ink-based territory control.

Developer & Publisher


  • Developer: Nintendo EPD (Entertainment Planning & Development)

  • Publisher: Nintendo


    • Release Timeline


  • Announcement: February 17, 2021 (Nintendo Direct)

  • Release Date: September 9, 2022 (worldwide)

  • Post-launch updates: Seasonal content drops (Fresh Seasons) ran from Autumn 2022 through Summer 2024; final content update was in August 2024. Online services remain active.


    • Platforms


    Exclusively available on the Nintendo Switch family of systems (Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo Switch OLED). Not available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, or mobile devices.

    Story Overview


    In the world of Splatoon 3, the turf war between Inklings and Octolings has largely subsided, but a new threat emerges from the mysterious region known as the "Alterna." The story campaign, titled Return of the Mammalians, follows Agent 3 (the player character) of the New Squidbeak Splatoon as they investigate a strange phenomenon: fuzzy, furry creatures called Fuzzballs that are turning Inklings and Octolings into non-splatting, mammalian-like beings. Led by Captain (formerly Callie and Marie's mentor), and assisted by Callie, Marie, and a new ally named Shiver, the team ventures into Alterna to uncover the source of the Fuzzballs and confront the machinations of the ruthless Octarian scientist DJ Octavio and a new villain, Mr. Grizz, a bear-like entrepreneur with a sinister plan to repopulate Earth with mammals. The campaign is a mix of single-player levels, boss fights, and exploration of a semi-open world hub called Splatsville in the desert.

    Setting


    Splatoon 3 takes place in the new hub city of Splatsville, a chaotic, sprawling urban area built in a desert canyon, often called "the city of chaos." The surrounding wilds include the Scorch Gorge, Crableg Capital, and the Alterna area (which features biomes like a cavern of crystallized fuzzy ooze, a frozen tundra, and a space station). The world is vibrant, colorful, and soaked in ink-based culture, from music to fashion. The main multiplayer stages are diverse and themed after various real-world and fictional locations: shopping districts, museums, factories, and even a giant skate park.

    Main Characters


  • Agent 3 (Player Character) – A customizable Inkling or Octoling recruited by the New Squidbeak Splatoon. Their gender, appearance, and weapon loadout are chosen by the player.

  • Captain (formerly Cuttlefish) – The elderly former leader of the Squidbeak Splatoon, now wiser and more strategic.

  • Callie & Marie – Returning pop-star idol duo and former Agents 1 and 2. They act as support and mission givers.

  • Shiver – A new Octoling member of the Splatoon, cool and aloof, who provides intel and accompanies the player in key missions.

  • DJ Octavio – The main Octarian antagonist, now seeking to ally with Mr. Grizz.

  • Mr. Grizz – The true mastermind behind the Fuzzball invasion; a giant grizzly bear who runs a company called Grizzco Industries. He aims to turn all sea life into mammals.

  • Additional: Frye, Deep Cut (the music group featured in the hub world), and various shopkeepers like Crusty Sean, Jel La Fleur, and Naut Couture.


    • Core Appeal


    Splatoon 3’s core appeal lies in its fast-paced, highly unique ink-based combat that rewards both mechanical skill (aim, movement) and strategic thinking (ink management, map control). The game’s vibrant, punk-rock aesthetic, catchy music, and constant seasonal updates keep the experience fresh. The main hook is the Turf War mode, where two teams of four compete to cover the map with their team’s ink in three minutes. The emphasis is on fun, non-lethal competition (no health bars; you splat opponents but they respawn) and creative expression through ink, fashion, and weapon variety. The single-player campaign offers a Mario-like platforming twist with shooter mechanics, appealing to both action fans and puzzle enthusiasts.

    Target Audience


  • Age: Rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and up) by ESRB; the game is accessible to younger players but has enough depth for competitive teens and adults.

  • Gamer types:

    • - Competitive multiplayer enthusiasts looking for a team-based shooter that is not gory or military-themed.
    - Players who enjoy customization and fashion (gear abilities, cosmetic changes).
    - Fans of Nintendo’s quirky, family-friendly franchises.
    - Solo players who enjoy 3D platformers and puzzle combat.
    - Speedrunners and completionists (completing all story missions and collectibles).

    Game Modes


  • Turf War (PvP, 4v4): Standard online mode; cover as much ground as possible in 3 minutes. Best 2 out of 3 rounds are played.

  • Anarchy Battle (Ranked Modes): Ranks up to S+50; includes four rotating objectives:

    • - Splat Zones (king of the hill)
    - Tower Control (escort a tower)
    - Rainmaker (capture and carry a damaging rainmaker)
    - Clam Blitz (collect and deposit clams into the enemy goal)
  • Salmon Run (PvE cooperative horde mode): 1-4 players fight waves of salmonids (fish monsters) to collect golden eggs and meet quotas. Rotation includes different weapons, boss Salmonids (Flyfish, Stinger, etc.), and special events like King Salmonids (Cohozuna, Horrorboros, Megalodontia).

  • Tableturf Battle: A collectible card game spin-off mode where players use cards based on weapons and specials to claim turf on a grid. Playable against AI or online friends.

  • Catalog & Seasonal Challenges: Each season (3 months) introduces a new Catalog (battle pass) with cosmetic rewards, new weapons, stages, and special events (Splatfest, Big Run, Eggstra Work).

  • Private Battles & Friend Lobbies: Custom rules for private matches.

  • Replay & Spectator Mode: Watch matches from any player’s perspective.

  • Splatfest: Periodic themed events (e.g., “What would you bring to a desert island?”) where players choose a team and compete for clout, earning exclusive gear and a spot in a final battle.


    • Online / Offline Support


  • Online: Stable internet connection required for most multiplayer modes (Turf War, Anarchy, Salmon Run, Private Battles, Spectator). Uses Nintendo Switch Online subscription (sold separately). Has dedicated servers for matchmaking but uses peer-to-peer for actual gameplay (minimal lag for most).

  • Offline: Single-player campaign “Return of the Mammalians” is fully playable offline. Also includes local multiplayer options:

    • - Local Wireless: Up to 8 players can connect nearby for private battles (1-4 per Switch).
    - Split-screen: Does not exist for Splatoon 3; each player must use their own Switch.
    - Demo mode (Local Co-op): None for the main game; only Tableturf Battle can be played locally on the same device against AI.
    - Tableturf Battle: Single-player mode (1-2 players local, 1 Switch).

    DLC / Expansion Overview


    The base game includes all core content. The only paid DLC is the Splatoon 3: Expansion Pass, released in two waves:
    1. Wave 1 – Inkopolis Plaza (Released: Spring 2023): Adds the ability to revisit Inkopolis Plaza (from the original Splatoon) as a secondary hub, with its own shops, battles, and music.
    2. Wave 2 – Side Order (Released: April 2024): A roguelike single-player expansion where you play as Agent 8 (an Octoling) climbing a procedurally generated tower called the Spire of Order. Includes new mechanics (color chips, modifiers) and a deep narrative about the Order vs. Chaos conflict. This DLC is highly recommended for solo players and those wanting more story depth.

    What Makes This Game Unique


  • Ink mechanics: The core combat revolves around covering surfaces with ink to move (swim), ambush, and control space. The ink acts as both a resource (for your sub and special weapons) and a strategic battleground.

  • No health bars: Enemies and players are downed by a single direct hit (not strictly one-hit kill; it takes about 0.3 seconds of continuous ink to splat a player). This makes combat fast, forgiving, and less reliant on twitch aiming than traditional shooters.

  • Movement and mobility: Inklings/Octolings can morph into squid/octopus form to swim through their own ink, climb walls, and hide. This adds verticality and stealth elements.

  • Constant updates and seasonal events: Splatoon 3 received two full years of free content updates (new weapons, stages, gear, Splatfests). The game evolves with the community.

  • Fashion and customization: Gear provides abilities (main ability fixed, sub abilities random but can be rerolled). Cosmetic options are vast (hair, eyes, clothing, headgear, shoes). The game encourages personal expression—Splatfests let you represent your team’s style.

  • Music and aesthetics: The soundtrack blends punk rock, pop, and electronic music with fictional bands (Off the Hook, Deep Cut). The art style is a fusion of graffiti, Japanese street fashion, and sci-fi.

  • Accessible yet deep: Easy to pick up for a 10-minute turf war, but the ranked modes, Salmon Run strategies, and gear optimization reward hundreds of hours of play.

  • Unique lore: The story is a light-hearted but surprisingly deep commentary on extinction, evolution, and the nature of life on a post-human Earth, told through a whimsical, ink-splatting adventure.