Splatoon is an online multiplayer shooter delivered in a way only Nintendo can – instead of engaging in realistic violence, teams of half-kids, half-squids engage in raucous competitions to determine who can cover most of the arena with bright and colorful ink. It’s a delightful formula that’s accessible enough for casual gamers while still providing plenty of depth for the competitive crowd, and it’s looking to get even better in the upcoming Splatoon 3 for Nintendo Switch.
I had the chance to get a hands-on experience with Nintendo’s highly anticipated ink shooter – which is up for pre-order now and will be released on September 9 – as well as get a close look at the special edition Splatoon 3 Nintendo Switch OLED which kicks off this month. After about an hour of trying out the single-player campaign and engaging in raucous multiplayer battles with my fellow contestants, I didn’t want to let go of the controller. Here are my first impressions, along with a look at where to get your hands on the game.
Where to pre-order Splatoon 3 and the Splatoon 3 Nintendo Switch OLED
Splatoon 3 is now available for pre-order at most major retailers ahead of its September 9 release date, and some of them are offering extra freebies for those who buy early. Walmart has a Neon Inkling Squid plush in four different colors (perfect for collectors or kids who want something to cuddle), while Best Buy will give you a free keychain with your pre-order. For those who prefer to go digital, Nintendo is offering double My Nintendo Gold points on the Nintendo eShop until September 30. You can also get the game from Amazon and GameStop, but without free extras.
• Splatoon 3 with free Neon Inkling Squid plush ($59.99 at walmart)
• Splatoon 3 with Free Keychain ($59.99 at best buy)
It wouldn’t be a great new Nintendo release without some limited-edition hardware to go with it, and serious fans can also pick up a special edition Splatoon 3 Nintendo Switch OLED (which we got to see up close). The system’s dock, Joy-Cons, and even the tablet portion are all adorned with Splatoon-inspired graphics, which strike a nice balance between subtle etchings and bursts of vibrant color.
I particularly like the Joy-Cons – one in a bluish purple and another in a yellow/green mix – to the point where I really wish Nintendo would sell them separately for existing Switch owners.
• Splatoon 3 Nintendo Switch OLED ($359 at Amazon, best buy Where GameStop)
• Splatoon 3 Nintendo Switch Pro Controller ($74.99 at GameStop)
The special-edition system costs $359 (that’s $10 more than a standard OLED Switch) and sadly, it doesn’t include a copy of Splatoon 3. Its calming aesthetic might not suit everyone, but if you’re a Splatoon superfan who hasn’t yet upgraded to the OLED model – which has a bigger screen and much more colorful than the standard Switch – this may be a good time to get started. The system goes on sale August 26 at major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and GameStop, and as with any special-edition Switch, we expect it to sell out quickly. Therefore, prepare your credit card on launch day. And if all you want is a new controller with a similar aesthetic, the $74.99 Splatoon 3 Switch Pro Controller will launch alongside the game on September 9th.
For the uninitiated, Splatoon is a third-person shooter where you play as a “Squid Kid” who can wield a variety of cool ink-spraying weapons in human form and swim through said ink in human form. of squid. The series delivers a level of movement and creative action unlike anything else in the genre while scratching a competitive itch for the Call of Duty crowd. Nintendo hasn’t spoiled Splatoon 3’s formula (or look) much, but so far that doesn’t seem like a bad thing.
I started with the game’s single-player story mode, which, like previous versions, features a set of increasingly difficult (but fairly light-hearted) levels that help you get to grips with the mechanics before heading online. . There’s a basic overarching story here (you play as an agent taking on a nefarious group of octopus creatures called the Octarians), but you won’t have to worry much about it. This mode is really all about having fun and getting to grips with the game’s joyfully cool array of weapons.
The handful of story levels I played involved a mix of slaughtering angry Octarians and using my weapons to solve light puzzles. Some stages let you choose a weapon loadout before jumping in, with more advanced weapons offering a higher challenge, but also a higher reward. Classic Splatoon weapons like the Splattershot (your base gun) and Splat Roller (a giant paint roller that can cover a lot of ground at once) are back, but I was quickly drawn to the new Tri-Stringer , essentially a bow and arrow that lets you get really creative with your shots.
Taking out many enemies up close with the Tri-Stringer was very satisfying, as was using its long-range charge shots to hit hard-to-reach areas. All in all, my short time with Splatoon 3’s story mode served up some simple but engaging puzzles and some pretty tough firefights (I admittedly got knocked out by Octarians a few times), and I’m looking forward to play through it all in the final game. But as most Splatoon fans know, it’s all about multiplayer.
After sampling the single-player campaign, my group and I moved on to Salmon Run, which is a team-based co-op mode where you and three friends battle to ward off angry fish (and collect their eggs) through waves of increasingly intense encounters. It was all very similar to what he did in Splatoon 2, which is to say, it’s still a lot of fun. New boss characters, such as the Slammin’ Lid, forced my team and I to get creative when it came to finding their weak spot, as did the occasional horde of octopus enemies that invaded the game. arena in a flash. This mode can be very difficult, and the feeling of finally passing a particularly difficult round – after a few failed attempts – was exhilarating.
But for my money, Splatoon is all about the classic four-on-four Territory War experience, which I finished my demo with. It’s as fun as ever, because scrambling to cover the arena with as much of my team’s ink as possible – while battling other Squid Kids in the process – was a real thrill in victory, and m made it itch for just one more game in the loss. As familiar as the action was, there were a handful of changes that I enjoyed, including new movement options that let you pop out of walls and quickly jump backwards out of ink as well as new fun weapons like the aforementioned Tri-Stringer and a special attack that basically lets you mow down the opposition in a snowblower. It all made for a chaotic good time, and I’m especially excited to see how the competitive crowd takes advantage of these new abilities.
Just as important as any gameplay upgrade is the fact that jumping into these online modes should be much smoother in Splatoon 3. Salmon Run will now be available to play anytime rather than in limited event windows, and Unlike previous installments, you will still be paired with your friends when engaging in Turf War battles. Splatoon 2’s somewhat wobbly multiplayer experience has been one of my biggest issues, so I’m especially pleased to have a smoother experience when engaging in online Ink Battles with friends.
Splatoon 2 has long been one of the best Nintendo Switch games, and Splatoon 3 is looking to give us even more of what makes it great. The game’s various single and multiplayer modes are more enjoyable than ever, and are bolstered by some fun new weapons and abilities. And I haven’t even scratched the surface – the real meat of Splatoon is its ever-evolving online experience, which this time around will include years of new cosmetic items that will roll out seasonally, new ways to drop and customize your character in online lobbies and some particularly promising three-way Splatfests that should be some of the most chaotic Splatoon battles yet.
If you’re looking to try Splatoon 3 before you buy, you can join the free Splatfest World Premiere happening this Saturday (August 27) from 9am-9pm PT. All you have to do is download the free client to your Nintendo Switch, and you’re good to go. We’ll be spending many more hours in Splatoon 3 closer to launch, so stay tuned for more.