Nintendo has outlined some big games for its 2022 slate, and one marquee game we know that’s coming to the system is Splatoon 3. The next entry in Nintendo’s colorful online shooter series, Splatoon 3 is slated to hit the Switch sometime in 2022. We got our first look at the title during Nintendo’s February 2021 Direct, and although the company has been very quiet about it since the reveal, the first glimpse hints at some major changes for the series. Here’s everything we know about Splatoon 3 so far.
Release date
Splatoon 3 does not have a firm release date yet, but the game is slated to launch for Nintendo Switch sometime in 2022.
Trailers
Splatoon 3 was officially announced during the February 2021 Nintendo Direct. Nintendo closed out that presentation by showcasing the game’s reveal trailer, which gave us a look at some major changes for the series. The most obvious is the setting: Splatoon 3 takes place in an arid desert wasteland known as the Splatlands. At the heart of the desert is a new hub city called Splatsville, where players will gather between matches.
The trailer confirmed the series’ signature 4v4 Turf Wars will return in Splatoon 3, but this time, there will be new stages set in the wilds around Splatsville. Nintendo also teased there will be new moves and weapons, as well, such as a new bow and a crab-shaped autobomb. It also appears that players will now launch themselves onto the map from the air rather than spawning in at designated locations.
Beyond these additions, Nintendo hasn’t confirmed much about Splatoon 3. However, there are indications there will be some sort of story mode similar to those in past games. The reveal trailer showed off a customizable Small Fry Salmonid buddy that will accompany the player, so there will presumably be some explanation of how that relationship came to be.
Beyond these additions, Nintendo hasn’t confirmed much about Splatoon 3. However, there are indications there will be some sort of story mode similar to those in past games. The reveal trailer showed off a customizable Small Fry Salmonid buddy that will accompany the player, so there will presumably be some explanation of how that relationship came to be.
Multiplayer
Multiplayer is the foundation of the Splatoon series, and it’s once again the central focus in Splatoon 3. As we saw in the game’s reveal trailer, the series’ 4v4 Turf War mode is returning, this time with entirely new stages, moves, and weapons, including a brand-new bow that can fire ink arrows. It also appears some old specials are returning in Splatoon 3 after being cut from the series’ second installment. One character can be seen firing a modified Inkzooka, a special move from Splatoon 1 in the reveal trailer.
The bow, a new weapon being introduced in Splatoon 3
Although Turf War has been confirmed, we still don’t know which–if any–other multiplayer modes will appear in Splatoon 3. While ranked modes like Splat Zones, Tower Control, Rainmaker, and Clam Blitz are likely to make a comeback, we’re still waiting on confirmation. Nintendo also hasn’t mentioned if the cooperative Salmon Run mode will appear.
Do I need Nintendo Switch Online to play Splatoon 3?
Like Splatoon 2, you’ll presumably need to have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription in order to play Splatoon 3 online. Individual memberships cost $4 for one month, $8 for three months, and $20 for one year, while an annual family plan runs for $35 and covers up to eight Nintendo Accounts across multiple systems. Nintendo has also recently added a Switch Online “Expansion Pass” tier, which includes some bonuses like the Genesis and N64 classic catalogs, along with an included expansion for Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Nintendo has not outlined whether it will be regularly adding game DLC as a Switch Online Expansion Pass perk, but if so, we may see some bonuses included for Splatoon 3.
Preorder details
Although it’s not releasing until sometime next year, Splatoon 3 is already up for preorder at Best Buy. Additional retailers will likely open preorders as well as we approach the game’s release date.
Source: Gamespot
