Splatoon 3

Q: Do you need to play earlier Splatoon games to follow Splatoon 3?

No. The main campaign stands on its own, and the game does a good job introducing its world, factions, and basic goals as you go. Returning characters mean a bit more if you know the series, but missing that history will not make the story confusing.

Q: What kind of multiplayer does Splatoon 3 include besides standard versus matches?

It includes Salmon Run, a cooperative mode where players fight enemy waves, collect Golden Eggs, and survive special event rounds. There are also larger event playlists and ranked objective modes if you want something more structured than casual Turf War.

Q: How hard is the single-player campaign in Splatoon 3?

Most of the campaign is approachable and built around short, focused challenges that teach movement, aiming, and weapon use without being punishing. Optional stages and late-game content can get much tougher, so there is room to push yourself without the whole campaign becoming stressful.

Q: Does Splatoon 3 support local multiplayer or is it mainly online?

The game is mainly built around online play for its core competitive and co-op modes. It does offer local options in private battles and some wireless play features, but the full experience is clearly designed with online matchmaking in mind.

Q: Are weapons in Splatoon 3 hard to learn if you are not very competitive?

Not really. Each weapon type has a clear role and feel, so it is easy to find one that matches whether you like rushing in, playing safely, or helping your team from the sides. The game also lets you experiment without committing too much, which makes switching styles less of a hassle.

Overall Rating: 4.37 • 48 reviews

The Sprint Player The Resilient Player

Splatoon 3 keeps matches short and readable, with ink doing double duty as movement and map control so every push feels clear even when things get messy. Between Turf War, Salmon Run, and a bigger set of weapons and side options, it gives you easy ways to swap moods without losing momentum.

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Details

Some of the particulars and information about Splatoon 3.

Developer: Nintendo

Release Date: September 9, 2022

How Long to Beat: 15 hrs

Great for:

The Sprint Player The Resilient Player

Ratings

Some of the ratings and scores for Splatoon 3.

83 Metacritic

8 IGN

-- Our Score

Genres

Action

Third-Person Shooter

Systems

Here's where you can find Splatoon 3 and play.

ESRB: Everyone 10+

Cartoon Violence

In-Game Purchases

Users Interact

Overview

Why Play?

How Much Time?

Overview

Splatoon 3 centers on fast ink-spraying matches, weapon-based movement across painted turf, rotating online modes, and a hub that feeds missions, shops, and gear upgrades

Ink Controls The Fight

Splatoon 3 is built around a simple idea that changes every match: the floor you paint is both your route and your resource. Covering turf lets you swim quickly, reload while moving, and take angles that feel obvious at a glance, so even chaotic fights stay readable.

Weapons do more than change damage output. Rollers, chargers, shooters, and dualies each create a different pace for pushing forward, holding space, or slipping out when a plan falls apart. Special weapons add short bursts of momentum, giving matches a rhythm of quick setup, pressure, and recovery instead of constant noise.

Short Modes, Different Moods

The main online modes are easy to fit into smaller sessions because rounds are brief and goals are clear. Turf War is the cleanest example, asking you to claim map space rather than chase kills, which makes every contribution matter even if you are jumping in for a few matches.

When you want something less direct, Salmon Run shifts the focus to co-op survival and fast adaptation. Its rotating weapon sets and enemy waves force teamwork without demanding a huge time investment, and that variety helps Splatoon 3 feel fresh even when you are not in the mood for standard competitive play.

Gear That Supports Momentum

Progression is tied to weapons, gear, and a steady flow through the hub rather than long grinds for access. Shops, catalogs, and unlocks give you regular reasons to check in, but the game does a good job of letting you make meaningful adjustments in short bursts instead of burying you in management.

Gear abilities and loadout choices reward small refinements over total reinvention. You can lean into faster movement, better ink economy, or safer survivability, then test those changes almost immediately in a live match. That loop gives Splatoon 3 a nice balance of quick payoff and steady improvement.

Trailer

A Quick Look at Splatoon 3

Curious what Splatoon 3 is all about? The trailer gives you a great first look at the world, the vibe, and the kind of story you're stepping into.

Videos

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Screenshots

Screenshots of Splatoon 3

Want to see what Splatoon 3 actually looks like in-game? These screenshots will hopefully give you a feel for what the world of Splatoon 3 is like.

Extras

Downloadable Content for Splatoon 3

DLC just means more of a good thing. Here are some for Splatoon 3

Splatoon 3: Expansion Pass – Side Order

What’s Included

Splatoon 3: Expansion Pass – Side Order is a substantial single-player add-on released on 2024-02-22. It sends Pearl and Marina into a new story set in the monochrome Spire of Order, with Agent 8 returning as the playable character. The structure is run-based, with repeated climbs through shifting floors, combat challenges, and permanent upgrades that carry between attempts.

This is separate from the main campaign and plays very differently, leaning into replayable runs rather than a one-and-done story path. It also adds more lore around the Octo Expansion cast and the wider world.

Is It Worth It

Yes, if you want more solo Splatoon 3 that feels distinct from the base game. Side Order is meaningful because it is not just a few extra missions. It is a full alternate mode with its own progression loop, and it gives the Expansion Pass real value beyond cosmetic appeal or small extras.

If you mainly play multiplayer and do not care about single-player challenges, it is optional. For anyone who liked the base game’s campaign or Octo Expansion, this fits naturally and offers a solid reason to come back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have Questions About Splatoon 3?

Do you need to play earlier Splatoon games to follow Splatoon 3?

What kind of multiplayer does Splatoon 3 include besides standard versus matches?

How hard is the single-player campaign in Splatoon 3?

Does Splatoon 3 support local multiplayer or is it mainly online?

Are weapons in Splatoon 3 hard to learn if you are not very competitive?

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