Splatoon 3: Everything we know so far

During the Nintendo Directly Effect in September 2021, the Japanese game maker finally gave new insight into Splatoon 3 and its expanded single-actor story mode. What we got was a colorful look at the urban center of Splatsville, a Hong Kong-like metropolis that's inhabited by inklings.

Splatoon is Nintendo'due south equivalent of a multiplayer shooter that's normally found on PS5 and Xbox Series X. Nintendo, being Nintendo, plain wanted to do something that wasn't run-and-gun, and made something wholly unique and wildly imaginative. What we got was a kind-friendly shooter with fast and frenetic movement abilities.

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Splatoon 2 was one of the outset big exclusives on the Nintendo Switch. Many fans were speculating on whether Splatoon 3 would coincide with the launch of second-generation Switch.

Regardless, Splatoon 3 is shaping up to be the biggest entry in the franchise to date. For starters, The serial will be moving away from the main location of the showtime two games, Inkopolis, and instead will feature a new city known as Splatville that looks a little more than dilapidated than the hubs we're used to.

That'due south non the but scrap of information we've got either, below yous'll find everything we currently know well-nigh Splatoon 3.

Splatoon 3 release date speculation

When Nintendo first announced Splatoon 3 they also gave us a release window of 2022.

Nosotros haven't been given anything more specific than just a release year, yet, looking at the franchise's by entries nosotros tin brand a reasonable guess as to when the game will driblet.

The first Splatoon released on the Wii U in May 2015, and Splatoon two released on the Nintendo Switch in July 2017, so it seems likely that Splatoon 3 volition fall somewhere between May-July 2022.

Plus, the franchise's artful lends itself extremely well to a summertime launch engagement, then nosotros'd be very surprised to encounter a fall or wintertime launch.

Splatoon 3 trailer

Nintendo unveiled a new trailer for Splatoon three during the Nintendo Direct Event for September 2021. In information technology, we saw new gameplay and weapons that will splat our enemies to oblivion.

A "squid researcher" during Nintendo's September 2021 directly gave boosted details on the lore in Splatoon 3. Apart from the new weapons, apparently mammals are suddenly returning to the earth of Splatoon. The video should start at 1:03:17.

During the February Direct, Nintendo dropped the first trailer for Splatoon 3, which is too worth checking out.

The trailer sees an Clue journeying from a desert surface area, known as the Splatlands, to the sprawling city of Splatville. Nosotros also got a sneak peek at character customization and the baroque sight of the Eiffel Tower ripped from the ground and lying upside in a giant sand crater.

So, does Splatoon three takes identify in French republic?

Splatoon iii grapheme customization

Customizing your character with ridiculously funky designs has always been a cadre function of the Splatoon feel, and that looks to be the example once more in this third entry.

Splatoon 3'south debut trailer included a brief department in which we got to run into some of the new customization options. These included brand new hairstyles such braids and ane hairdo that looks almost similar the Splatoon version of a basin cut.

Splatoon 3 screen grab — (Image credit: Nintendo)

We also got to see some customization options for your smallfry companion, who has already won our hearts.

It looks like Splatoon three volition allow you select to play as an Octoling from the outset, in Splatoon two doing so required you lot to buy the Octo Expansion DLC.

Splatoon 3 weapons

It may exist brightly colored but Splatoon is a shooter at its core, so the weapons actually matter and Splatoon 3 looks like it will include some familiar and new ink-firing options.

The trailer reveals that favorites similar the .96 Gal and Range Blaster will be returning. The central new weapon appears to be a bow-like device that allows you to shoot three arrows of ink at once, this weapon volition probably exist catchy to use at first but very satisfying in one case you main it.

Special weapons including a modified Tenta Missile and a deployable crab-bot also featured in the trailer. Information technology seems creativity has not faltered at Nintendo, peculiarly in regards to weapon variety in Splatoon 3. Nosotros tin't wait to blast opponents with brightly-colored acrylic ammunition quondam adjacent yr.

The virtually recent trailer also shows off new bots and turrets that tin splat downwards enemies.

Splatoon iii game modes

News on what game modes will be returning is currently thin, however, the game'due south proclamation trailer does requite usa some clues.

We encounter gameplay from an online match that is almost certainly Turf War. This manner, which sees players compete to encompass as much of the map as possible with ink, is the series' flagship game mode so its return comes as little surprise.

A Splatoon game without Turf State of war would be like a Telephone call of Duty game without Squad Deathmatch. Just unthinkable.

Splatoon 2 (and its wonderful Octo Expansion DLC) fabricated keen strides in the single-player department, giving players a series of solo missions to tackle that were a 18-carat delight. At present we know that Splatoon three will have a dedicated single-histrion campaign. We're curious to learn every bit to how the Effiel Tower ended up stuck in the centre of the Splatlands?