Splatoon News
March2017
News The Splatoon U.S. Inkling Open Has a Trip to E3 Up for Grabs
Splatting it old school
A lot of the talk in the past week has been around Splatoon 2, but let's not forget that the original Splatoon is still very much active and a hoot to play. Now Nintendo of America has teamed up with Battlefy to promote an online tournament in the original with a cool prize - a trip for four to this year's E3. Battlefy is a...
News ESL Go4Splatoon Europe Grand Final to be Broadcast Live on 1st April
Splatoon 2 exhibition match also confirmed
Over a number of months Nintendo has been teamed up with ESL in a search for the best Splatoon team in Europe, a contest designed to boost the eSports credentials and popularity of the IP. There have been monthly events and contests at expos, and now we're gearing up for the grand final in Paris in which...
News You Can Now Download The Splatoon 2 Global Testfire On Your Switch, But There's A Catch
Won't go live until the 24th
If you are as excited as us about the upcoming Splatoon 2 Global Testfire event then you'll be interested to learn that you can download the demo right now from the Japanese Nintendo Switch eShop and stare at a placeholder screen until the event starts on 24th March. The demo
February2017
News Splatoon 2 Global Testfire Demo Details Confirmed for Europe
The world will be testing the servers together
At the weekend Nintendo revealed and outlined details for the Splatoon 2 Global Testfire Demo in North America and Japan. It's now been confirmed for Europe, too, with the times confirming that players will be tackling each other from across the Atlantic. With the times matching up between regions that...
Talking Point Splatoon 2 is Set to be a Vital Early Arrival on Nintendo Switch
The Global Testfire adds some extra spice
When Splatoon was unveiled at E3 2014, this writer was initially unsure of its appeal. Then the reaction of the community on these pages began to take shape, and fans tweeted, and the fan-art began - it was evident that Nintendo had produced a new IP with huge potential. By the time we got closer to its...
News Splatoon 2 Global Testfire To Take Place During Nintendo Switch Launch Month
You'll be able to use your Splatoon amiibo, too
Nintendo has revealed that a Splatoon 2 Global Testfire event will take place shortly after the launch of the Switch, giving owners a chance to sample the sequel for free. The demo will be available for download from the eShop and in terms of content will include four different main weapons, including...
News Splatoon 2's Event and eSports Credentials Boosted by LAN Play and Spectator View
"LAN Play is where it’s at" for competitive events
Since Nintendo's 'preview trailer' that ended with a showcase of a Splatoon 2 competitive event (albeit the sequel wasn't formally confirmed at that point), it's been clear that the Switch could be well equipped for the eSports scene. Nintendo has now outlined two key features in the sequel...
January2017
News Splatoon 2 Will Launch On 18th August, According To UK Store GAME
Colour me bad
One of the most eagerly-anticipated games in the Nintendo Switch's roster for this year is undoubtedly Splatoon 2, which promises to be a ruddy good time according to our resident master of ink splatting Alex. This upcoming game is said to be coming out in "Summer" according to Nintendo, which is a bit vague. Howev
Soapbox Nintendo's Switch Plan is Starting to Take Shape
At least we think it is
The Nintendo Switch reveal has polarised fans, as many expected it would, but now we've had a chance to sample the system for ourselves some of our fears have been subdued, and some have been unfortunately made greater. Make sure you check out the video above where this video 'dude' shares his opinions on Nintendo's upcoming...
Rumour You'll Be Able To Unleash Your Inner Octoling In Splatoon On Nintendo Switch
Octotastic news
Rumours about the possibility of playing as a Octoling in a future Splatoon update have been circulating on the web since August last year, so its surprising that this much requested bit of fan service hasn't been unveiled yet. To add more evidence to this rumour, we even reported on data miners uncovering
December2016
Talking Point Splatoon May Be Winding Down, But Its Legacy Could Be Significant
Modern trends with a Nintendo touch
In the remainder of 2016 we'll re-share some of our favourite feature articles from the year. This article from 4th August reflects on the end of an era after the final Splatoon Splatfest, and how the colourful shooter established a DLC model for Nintendo that's sure to return in the future. Recently we had the...
News Dark Horse is Bringing 'The Art of Splatoon' Book to the West
For squids or kids
Splatoon was a major success for Nintendo in 2015, generating significant buzz and establishing the IP as one that has a key role to play in the future. The gameplay is terrific, of course, but part of the appeal is also found in the hugely colourful environments and characters. Those that love the designs in Splatoon are now in...
November2016
Rumour Nintendo Switch Will Have Super Mario And Skyrim At Launch, Splatoon Coming As Pack-In
Loose lips
With Nintendo going into full-on lockdown mode as far as Switch details are concerned the rumour mill is operating at full capacity. The latest report to come out of LetsPlayVideoGames - the site which has already been proven correct on several key Switch details and purports to have several sources close to Nintendo - is that the...
October2016
News Splatoon Showdown Series On the Way in North America
Battlefy hosts an online spin on eSports
It's evident that Nintendo is eager to make steps into eSports. We've seen the company improve its support for the Super Smash Bros. and Pokkén Tournament scenes, and the recent Nintendo Switch preview trailer featured a Splatoon-centric competitive scenario at the end. It's a growing industry, and Nintendo...
News King Boo in Mario Kart '8' and New Splatoon Goodness - Breaking Down the Nintendo Switch Reveal
Small hints for an exciting future
We have a big breakdown of the Nintendo Switch on the way, but we thought we'd look at some details from two games featured in the video - the ports / remasters / sequels / whatever they are for Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon. First of all, here's the trailer again. Let's start with the Mario Kart we see - it looks...
News Splatoon Producer Reflects on the Game's Popularity
A successfully launched IP
When Splatoon was announced at E3 2014, the game seemed to have been met with warm reception. Though there were some concerns over how online play would be handled, the game represented a refreshing new idea from Nintendo, and seemed like it would be an ideal killer app for the struggling Wii U. Now, nearly a year and a...
September2016
News Splatoon Version 2.12 is Now Live
Splatting those pesky bugs
Though the online community for Splatoon is still going strong, it's safe to say that the game has passed its prime. It got its last hurrah with the release of the new Callie and Marie amiibo this summer, and now that Splatfests are over, it seems that Nintendo has moved on (hopefully to make the sequel). That being said,...
News ESL Go4Splatoon Tournament Winners Will Get A Nintendo NX Console
The ultimate splatfest
This Sunday sees the start of the ESL Go4Splatoon Tournament, a six-month event which will end in a 2017 grand final to decide Europe's best Splatoon team. As if being recognised as one of the best Splatoon players in the world wasn't enough, the overall winners of this tournament will each receive a shiny new Nintendo NX...
August2016
Reminder The Splatoon Summer Testfire Demo is Now Live
If you're yet to ink in a purchase
We suspect that most with an interest in Splatoon bought it long ago, yet Nintendo is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to get as many Wii U owners as possible on board. A little while ago we shared the news that the Splatoon Testfire demo is returning for a Summer fling, so here's a reminder that it's live...
News Nintendo And ESL Team Up For Splatoon Online Tournaments In Europe
Prep those paint rollers once more
If you were sad about Splatoon Splatfest events coming to an end, then we have some good news for you - if you live in Europe, that is. Nintendo have teamed up with ESL, the world's largest esports company, to bring 6 months of Splatoon online tournaments for Euro gamers. At gamescom in Cologne, the top four...
News The Splatoon Testfire Demo is Coming Back for a Summer Fling
Another push for the inky shooter
Who remembers the Splatoon Testfire Demo? Released ahead of the main game, it gave eager fans an early look at the game's online play, while the timed windows gave Nintendo the opportunity to stress-test its servers. Surprising, the Testfire Demo is back, with multiple sessions planned during 25th to 28th August,...
July2016
Video Nintendo Wants You to Bask in Some Splatfest Nostalgia
There's a Squid Sisters song for every occasion
This past weekend Splatoon hosted its final Splatfest, the regular events that have allowed teams to put on snazzy virtual outfits and fight over topics such as pizza flavourings and favoured lifestyle choices. For plenty of Wii U owners the events have been a welcome regular routine, and their...
News With Splatfests Finished, Judd Is Now Your Source of Super Sea Snails in Splatoon
You have to earn them, though
The final Splatoon Splatfest ended with Team Marie victorious, with plenty of players taking off their team t-shirts, collecting their winnings and no doubt letting out a disappointed sigh. After more than a year of regular updates and Splatfests, the Wii U's colourful shooter is about to settle down and conclude its...
News Team Marie Triumphs in Splatoon's Final Splatfest
The end of an era
Since its release in May 2015, Splatoon has been a notable success for the Wii U. While the platform has struggled, those that do own the system have embraced Nintendo's colourful third-person shooter in a big way. The cultural impact - especially in Japan - has been significant, with amiibo, merchandise and even live concerts...
Gallery Nintendo's Favourites in the Art Academy "Splatfest Memories" Event
Ink-redible
Over the past few weeks Nintendo has been running an Art Academy event on Miiverse to celebrate Splatoon, encouraging fans to show off their skills in honour of the Wii U title. Plenty evidently did, and Nintendo has picked out some favourites to show off just how talented some Wii U owners are. The big N's Miiverse team has picked out...
News The Stages for the Final Splatfest Have Been Announced
Kelp Dome! Moray Towers! Walleye Warehouse!
A couple weeks ago, it was announced that the final Splatfest for Splatoon would be taking place later this month. The news was disappointing to many, but it seems like Nintendo wants to make sure that it goes all out with this final celebration. As a result, fans were allowed to vote on what three stages...
Video The Squid Sisters Stay Fresh In These Splatoon Music Clips
Callie and Marie do their funky thing
Here's a friendly reminder that the final Splatfest happens this weekend from the Squid Sisters - Callie and Marie. Making sure that Splatoon stays fresh in your minds, Nintendo of Japan has released two videos with each sister performing their signature solo songs: Those were some funky moves. Will you be...
News Culdcept Revolt Tops Japanese Charts as Splatoon Bundle Boosts Wii U Sales
Splat-tastic shooter back up to second in software results
With the middle of the week upon us we have the usual Japanese Media Create chart results, and this batch brings a mix of good and interesting news for Nintendo followers. First of all we have Culdcept Revolt on 3DS making its debut at number one, though the card-based strategy game has had...
Video Take a Look at the Awesome Splatoon - Squid Sisters Concert from Japan Expo 2016
Here's hoping Nintendo inks in more concert dates
Splatoon's success isn't just judged on unit sales, which are nevertheless impressive on the Wii U, but by its broader cultural impact. It's a new Nintendo IP that, it's safe to say, has struck a chord with the public and is likely to become a regular part of Nintendo's library in the future. Along...
News Nintendo Issues Patch To Prevent Splatoon Players From Becoming Invisible
Update 2.10.0 available now to squash strange bug
Glitches are commonplace in modern games due to their size and complexity, and Splatoon has seen its fair share of bugs which have subsequently been busted by patches. However, it looks like the last patch introduced a glitch of its own. Players are discovering that in certain situations their...
News Nintendo UK Announces The Summer of Splat And The Great British Splat-Off
...as well as The Splatoon Fan Fest
Nintendo UK is giving Splatoon a renewed push with The Summer of Splat, a series of events which will take place between 16th July and 7th August. Part of this campaign will involve The Great British Splat-Off, a selection of online tournaments for players of various skill levels which they can sign up to now...
Reminder Splatoon Gets an eShop Discount in Europe as Warm-Up for Final Splatfest
Super Mario Maker course is around the corner, too
Splatoon has had an impressive run on the Wii U since its 2015 launch, from its 'kid now / squid now' song becoming a bit of a meme to critical and public acclaim for its gameplay. There have also been lots of updates, new content and Splatfests of various kinds. An era is now sort of ending,...
Reminder There's More Splatoon Content Available In Miitomo Right Now
Team Callie and Team Marie t-shirts, GET
Another helping of Splatoon-related content has arrived in Nintendo's smartphone social app Miitomo. The most exciting items are Team Callie and Team Marie t-shirts, which cost 2,000 coins each and will be available until the 25th July. Existing content from the previous Splatoon campaign is also coming...
New amiibo support included, of course
Splatoon is heading towards a grand finale, of sorts, as Nintendo prepares for the last ever Splatfest which will be shared across regions and pit Callie and Marie against each other. In addition, of course, the singing duo have new amiibo that are due to arrive very soon, and with them
June2016
News Splatoon's Last Splatfest is Next Month
Team Callie or Team Marie?
One of the most popular and enjoyable aspects of Splatoon has been the semi-monthly Splatfests. These day-long, team based competitions took the core idea of Splatoon and expanded on it a bit, allowing players to pledge allegiance to a certain team, with a winning team decided at the end of it all based on popularity and...
News Splatoon Comes To Smartphones, But Not In Quite The Way You Think
Attack of the clones
Nintendo's expansion into smartphones began this year with Miitomo, but the company has big plans for some of its existing IP - including Animal Crossing and Fire Emblem. Splatoon - one of Nintendo's most recent hits - is arguably another prime candidate for mobile phones, as it boasts a unique look and has been popular with...
An event worth tweeting about
They say that the early bird catches the worm, but then again night owls can swivel their heads up to 270 degrees and get to see the latest episode of Game of Thrones before everyone else. It's stiff competition! Following on from the success of the recent SpongeBob SquarePants Splatfest, the next event in North...
News Splatoon VR Hack Involves A GamePad On Your Back And A Customised Water Pistol
Just like being there
Ever wonder what Splatoon would play like if it used VR? Well ponder no more, as Japanese researchers have created their own version using custom parts, a little imagination and a cheap plastic water gun. The setup uses a Sony HMZ-T1 head-mounted display for immersion, while the aforementioned water gun has been modded for...
Gallery Check Out All the New Weapons Coming to Splatoon with Sheldon's Picks Vol. 2
Locked and loaded
Though the regular weekly updates of last summer are long gone, Nintendo isn't finished supporting Splatoon yet. Along with the two new amiibo of the Squid Sisters, we're receiving remixed versions of weapons through the new line of Sheldon's Picks. This retooled line of weapons with new sub and special weapons have changed up the...
Say hello to the "Make Believe Digital Event"
Those of you with long memories will recall that we covered the first episode of The BitBlock's "Make Believe" series a while back. Focused on the idea of the Wii U Animal Crossing game we all really wanted (rather than the one we actually got), it boasted lavish production values rarely witnessed on...
News Upcoming Splatoon Update to Include Stage and Weapon Tweaks Along With Sheldon's Picks
Nine new weapons for splatting foes
Just recently the Japanese social media Splatoon accounts confirmed that Sheldon's Picks Volume 2 will come on 7th / 8th June, depending on time zones. That'll also arrive as part of an update to version 2.8.0, which will make some more adjustments to the game while also bringing new weapons and gear. Nintendo's...
News Splatoon's Squid Sisters Confirmed for Live Concert in Paris
So fresh!
We know that Splatoon has been a big hit for Nintendo and the Wii U, with impressive sales and a notable impact on popular culture in Japan, especially. The game is everywhere in Nintendo's homeland, with a substantial range of merchandise and even live concerts. Nintendo's been slow to roll out merchandise to the rest of the world, but...
May2016
News Nintendo Celebrates Splatoon's One Year Anniversary in Japan With a Whole Load of Announcements
Sheldon's Picks! Music CD! Hats! More!
Splatoon is one year old in Japan - a landmark that'll pass on 29th May in the West - and the game's official Twitter account has gone announcement crazy. Some of the details are certainly applicable to the West, and no doubt localised announcements will come in good time. First of all Sheldon's Picks Volume 2...
News New Splatoon amiibo Now Available For Pre-Order On Nintendo's UK Store
Staying fresh
Remember those amazing new Splatoon amiibo? Well they're up for pre-order on Nintendo UK's online store as we speak. The new figures include a purple Inkling boy, a lime green Inkling girl and an
News Nintendo Introduces Two New Splatoon-Themed amiibo Dioramas
Still Japan-only, sadly
Though some data-miners had leaked the information a few months early, it was nonetheless a rather pleasant surprise when Nintendo unveiled that there would be two new Splatoon amiibo joining the previous three, this time based off of the two pop idols, Callie and Marie. Naturally, if you've made the decision to pick these up...
News These Splatoon Playing Cards Are A Deal You Cannot Afford To Miss
Show us your hand
We hope you're not too attached to your cash, because Nintendo is releasing a series of Splatoon playing cards in Japan and if you're anything like us, you'll want them. All of them. The cards will be released in three different sets and are expected to launch in July. Just to loosen your resolve, Play-Asia has them up for...
News Splatoon's Next Splatfest is All About How You Like to Party
The first simultaneous worldwide Splatfest
It's getting to be that time once again for the monthly Splatfest in Splatoon. After last month's epic battle between Spongebob and Patrick in the first Splatfest where both North America and Europe could compete, Nintendo is stepping it up and increasing the scope even more. The Splatfest taking place next...
Soapbox Game Reviews Always Need a Final Score
Alex explains why it's all a numbers game
The traditional notion of giving a game a score out of five, ten, or any amount is falling out of fashion with many outlets rapidly adopting more arbitrary systems for one reason or another. Personally I feel this is a step in the wrong direction, and a score based on a finite scale is paramount in promoting...
Nintendo Life Weekly New Splatoon amiibo Burst Forth, 3DS Games in HD, and More
Hold on to your wallets
It feels like we've been bombarded with little more than rumours for the past few weeks, but now that Nintendo has finally blessed us with some substantial new happenings we wouldn't be at all surprised if you'd not kept track of all that's happened. Luckily for you we've once more been hard at work bringing what is quite...
April2016
News Callie and Marie Join a New Splatoon amiibo Range on 8th July
So fresh!
Splatoon has been a major hit for Nintendo since it launched in May 2015, not just in sales numbers but also in terms of the IP's impact on popular culture. In Japan, particularly, Callie and Marie (the sisters who 'host' the game) have emerged as popular characters for their music and quirky characters. Nintendo's keen to celebrate that...
News Team Patrick Triumphs in the SpongeBob SquarePants Splatoon Splatfest
Pink power
Splatoon has had some high profile tie-ins in nearly a year since launch, but arguably few have been bigger than this weekend's bonanza for fans of alliteration - the SpongeBob SquarePants Splatoon Splatfest. It was the first time that North American and European Splatfests aligned and even had players from both regions competing against...
Some extra clothes for the in-app store, too
Miitomo has now been available in the West for around three weeks, and Nintendo has made the first move in linking the smart device app with a current day hit. It's launching a range of Splatoon-related promotions and content with the app, while also encouraging fans to retweet key messages. First of...
News SpongeBob SquarePants is the Theme for the Next Splatoon Splatfest
SpongeBob vs Patrick
Almost a year after its launch Splatoon is still a go-to game for many Wii U owners, especially those looking for some online gaming. The colourful shooter has proven to be a significant hit and new IP for Nintendo. It's attracted the occasional big-name partnership, too, and it's now been announced that the next Splatfest will...
News Splatoon's New Update Just Went Live
Time to try out these remixed weapons
In the latest Nintendo Direct, it was revealed that Splatoon would be receiving some more free DLC, albeit in a slightly different form than before. Some existent weapons – dubbed "Sheldon's Picks" – have been retooled with new secondaries and specials, giving them an entirely different feel. While this may...
News Splatoon Update to 2.7.0 Will Bring Us The First Volume of Sheldon's Picks Next Week
Eight remixed and new weapons
During the March Nintendo Direct it was confirmed that the Splatoon updates weren't finished yet, with confirmation that there'd be two 'waves' of Sheldon's Picks, new weapons that'll provide abilities and secondary attacks a little different from their contemporaries. We now have a date for the first of these updates,...
News Splatoon to Arrive on 3DS Under the Name "Splatoon Legends"
April Fools'
Update: Yep, as most of you guessed this was our contribution to the tradition of ludicrous and fabricated news stories on the first of April. We made it all up, all of what you see below is complete and utter nonsense as far as we know, we hope you got a laugh out of it! Massive thanks to Andy Carolan (@AndyCarolan) for the Inkle...
March2016
Random An Official Splatoon Lint Roller is a Thing You Can Own
Keep your threads fresh!
The world of Splatoon is populated almost entirely with cephalopods as far as we know. Although Judd may be the only furred creature left on the planet, any cat-owner knows he'll still find a way to get his hair over everything every squid in a 10-km radius owns. Do they even have, like, bones and stuff under all that fluff?...
News Stretchy And Sticky Splatoon Squid Toys Are Coming To Japan, Thanks To Taito
Easy squeezy
Video game veteran Taito is producing a series of stretchy, goo-filled Splatoon squid toys. Now there's a sentence we didn't think we'd be typing when we woke up this morning. Due for release in Japan (where else?) on April 5th, the toys can be seen in action in the teaser video below. You can squeeze 'em, splat 'em and throw 'em in a...
Video Splatoon Head Honcho Tsubasa Sakaguchi Joins In With an amiibo Impersonation
A balanced approach...
Just recently we shared a video of Shigeru Miyamoto impersonating an amiibo, sort of, which certainly demonstrated his awesomeness rather nicely. It evidently wasn't a one-off, as Nintendo of Europe has released another neat video with a different development star. This time around it's the public face of Splatoon's...
News Admit It, You Want This Splatoon Splattershot Water Pistol
Available for pre-order "soon"
The guns in Splatoon take a lot of inspiration from real-world water pistols, so it's perhaps a little surprising that Nintendo hasn't taken more advantage of this fact - an entire range of themed water shooters should have been available at launch; it would have been a licence to print money. Thankfully, the company...
News North America's Next Splatfest Will Take Place This Friday
Do you want to build a snowman?
Following hot on the heels of the announcement of Europe's next Splatfest, Nintendo of America has recently confirmed a Splatfest to be taking place this weekend at the same time. While it may be that this latest topic still isn't as awesome as its Pokémon predecessor, it nonetheless seems to be an appropriate topic...
News The Next Splatfest Topic for Europe Has Been Announced
How would you like to get around?
Earlier this week, a fairly substantial update for Splatoon went out, making numerous changes to several different aspects of the game. One of the things that was overhauled with this update was how Splatfests will be conducted; basically, 'Splatfest Power' will now more closely tie in with the rank of individual...
Video Splatoon Co-Director Tsubasa Sakaguchi Has Some Top Tips For Budding Inklings
Newcomers, take note
Splatoon is getting new content this year and has recently passed one million units shipped in Europe. That means there's a lot of new players flocking to the game, and these individuals may well be wondering how they can improve their tactics and get on a level playing field with those who have mastered the title over the past...
News Splatoon Has Now Shipped One Million Copies In Europe
Staying fresher for longer
Nintendo has confirmed that Splatoon has shipped over one million copies in Europe. The Wii U shooter was one of Nintendo's most robust titles throughout 2015 in terms of sales, and will continue to get new downloadable content in 2016. As well as being a commercial success it has earned considerable critical acclaim,...
Video Here's All the Changes in Splatoon's Latest Update to Version 2.6
Oh the Tenacity
Splatoon's had more than its fair share of free content updates, and since last week's Nintendo Direct we now know that they haven't finished fiddling with the game just yet. In in effort, we assume, to try and make the game more varied, several changes have been brought into effect for version 2.6. Most notable are the changes to...
News Splatoon Updates to Continue Into 2016
Contains balancing, tweaks, and weapon sets
The hit multiplayer title Splatoon will be receiving some new updates throughout 2016. Beginning on March 8th, an update will address balancing issues regarding specific gear abilities. Some will recieve a buff making them stronger on the battlefield, while others a small nerf. Additionally, tweaks to...
News Enjoy the Madness of the CoroCoro Splatoon Manga For Free
Admire the artwork online
CoroCoro Magazine often has some handsome exclusives and details in Japan, the latest of which is a Splatoon manga series. The inky shooter has gone from strength to strength in less than a year on the market, rapidly becoming a popular franchise - with all the licensing and merchandise that can entail - for Nintendo...
February2016
News We Squid You Not, Japan Really Is Getting Splatoon Candy
Dentists won't be happy
Those of you who value your tooth enamel, look away now - Japanese candy maker Nobel is releasing official Splatoon sweets. These will be available in two varieties. The squid-shaped gummy sweets are melon and orange-flavoured, with the occasional octopus making an appearance. The other sweets are hard candy in a wide range...
News The Pokémon Splatfest Results Have Been Confirmed
And the winner is...
The Splatoon Splatfest events have often focused on fairly simple conflicts, only dipping into feisty brand-related tussles occasionally. The Transformers event in North America was one example, and this weekend we had the Pokémon generation one event worldwide. With the Virtual Console games arriving on 27th February fans have...
Reminder Register and Gear Up for the Pokémon Red & Blue Splatfest
Results to get a global airing
The Splatoon Splatfest events have been a fun regular addition to the outstanding shooter, though the upcoming Pokémon Red and Blue showdown is arguably the best yet. With the Pokémon anniversary around the corner it's perfectly timed and will also likely be extremely close - one Nintendo UK poll on Twitter for...
News New Splatoon Manga Series Coming to Bessatsu CoroCoro in Japan
The continuing rise of the IP
When reeling off Nintendo's biggest franchises the brand names are familiar - Mario, Metroid, The Legend of Zelda and so on. Yet Splatoon, having made such an impact on the Wii U in 2015, could potential evolve to join that list of big-hitters. The ink-splatting shooter has become a hit not just in terms of sales, but...
News Splatoon Action Figures Will Be Inking Their Way To A Toy Store Near You Soon
Jakks Pacific keen to add more to its World of Nintendo line
Nintendo has woken up to the massive merchandising potential of its library of brands in recent years, and one of the most welcome collaborations involves toy maker Jakks Pacific, which is responsible for the excellent World of Nintendo line. It would now seem that the company is keen to...
News Splatoon Producer on Pre-Release Concerns and the Future of the Franchise
"I'd like to build on online gameplay even more."
Splatoon was, in many ways, a new step for Nintendo. The company has historically been a bit behind the times when it comes to online services, so it appeared to be quite a risk to not only release a game that was almost entirely focused on online multiplayer, but to do so with a brand new IP...
News Pokémon Splatfest Hitting Splatoon in February
A decision harder than choosing your starter
In continuing the celebration of Pokémon's 20th anniversary, the festivities have spread to another popular Nintendo franchise, Splatoon. A Pokémon themed Splatfest will take taking place the weekend of 20th February through 21st February in all regions pitting players against each other based on their...
Rumour New Splatoon Mini-Game Arriving Soon with Fresh amiibo Figures in Tow
And this time there's evidence
After the tide of free content updates in Splatoon was stemmed many fans of the game wondered whether there might yet be more on the horizon for Nintendo's colourful shooter. Recent rumours from data miners regarding references to potential new amiibo figurines got tongues wagging once again, and now even more secrets...
News Wii U Sales Show Promising Growth Courtesy of Splatoon and Super Mario Maker Success
Splatoon continues to beat Mario Kart 8 sales momentum
While current 3DS sales are rather disappointing, Nintendo's most recent financial reports did bring good news for the Wii U, with the system on track for its targets and outperforming the equivalent sales of the year before. In Nintendo President Tatsumi Kimishima's briefing one game's role in...
Gallery These Fan-Made Splatoon Weapons Are Pretty Fresh
Tools of the trade
The Game Party Japan 2016 event has just hosted the Japanese National Splatoon Championship, giving fans of the game the chance to test their skill against like-minded individuals. It also gave the truly dedicated the opportunity to show off their creative talents, as there was a booth which showcased fan-made versions of the...
News Splatoon Producer Hints at More Content Being Added in the Future
"I'm starting to wonder if we can't organize a little something else."
Splatoon had an admirable amount of post release support, with new game modes, maps, clothes, and weapons, being regularly added to the game via free updates. While it was inevitable that there would come to be an end to all the free goodness, the question of more, paid DLC has...
January2016
Rumour Data Miners Find Evidence That Suggests New Splatoon amiibo Are Coming
Guess what they are?
Data Miners have been particularly notorious on the Wii U for leaking information ahead of releases, and while many of the leaks may seem to be bulletproof, it's not always the best idea to take them as hard fact. For exapmle, the track record with Splatoon has been pretty spot on so far, with most weapons and stages being outed...
Weirdness Watch an Actual Live Splatoon Squid Sisters Concert From Japan
Get your glow sticks in the air!
Splatoon is not only a fun game, but it's also succeeded in getting some of its characters and quirks into popular culture - well, Nintendo culture. The Squid Sisters are a part of this, with their bizarre voices, dancing and singing being part of the game's charm. In Japan, though, these things can go from being...
News Splatoon Outfits Heading to New Style Boutique 2 on 28th January
Fresh fashion
Nintendo Presents: New Style Boutique 2 - Fashion Forward may have a name that doesn't exactly trip off the tongue, but it's another strong entry in the charming fashion career sim. With plenty of content, some quirky new additions and well polished play it earned a strong recommendation from us when we reviewed it last year. Just...
News Details of Europe's Next Splatfest Are Confirmed for 30th January
A battle of warriors
The regular free DLC may be drawing to a close, but Splatoon still has plenty to offer - this includes Splatfests, those weekend events where we choose sides and splat others for glory. Nintendo of Europe has now confirmed details of its next Splatfest, which will kick off on 30th January at 6pm UK / 7pm CET. It'll be a...
Talking Point Splatoon Began With an Early Access Approach, and Has Provided a Valuable Lesson
Free updates that kept on giving
Cast your mind back to launch day Splatoon. Single player campaign? Check. Slightly mediocre local multiplayer mode? Check. Online modes? Well, some of them. Back when we were publishing our Splatoon review, its writer and our video man Alex was gushing in his praise, yet some debate was had within our team about...
News Splatoon's Last Free Update Map Goes Live Tomorrow
That's sixteen stages
About a week ago, the final weapon for Splatoon's constant stream of new, extra content went live and signaled the end of the long run. Following that right up, the final new stage will go live tomorrow and bring the stage count to its final amount of sixteen. The new stage is Ancho-V Games, and this appears to be one of the...
News Splatoon Update to Prompt Server Maintenance and Brief Downtime
Not for too long, thankfully
Version 2.5.0 of Splatoon goes live soon, and the official Tumblr page for the game has advised that implementing the update will necessitate a bit of downtime that'll prevent online play. It's not a lengthy break, but is worth noting for North American gamers planning some evening matches. The following downtime is on...
News Splatoon's Next Update Is On Target For Launch Tomorrow
Version 2.5.0 clamps down on shortcuts
Nintendo continues to make changes and amendments to its ink-based online shooter Splatoon, with the latest lot of fixes coming on Wednesday January 20th - otherwise known as "tomorrow". These include the closing off of various shortcuts and a few fixes to environmental features. There are also some...
News The Custom Hydra Splatling, Splatoon's Last Update Weapon, Goes Live on 15th January
The end of an era
We all knew that this day would be coming, but it's still a bittersweet time. The end of the free Splatoon weapon updates has come, and it will be marked by the launch of the final weapon: Custom Hydra Splatling. The Custom Hydra Splatling is, erm, a custom Hydra Splatling, with the main difference here being that it uses the...
Video Splatoon Easter Egg Shows a Friendly Face
Vacant smile, electric whiskers, who else is it going to be?
As if the streams of new weapons and maps in Splatoon weren't enough to tickle the fancy of all the budding Inklings out there, Nintendo has squeezed a previously unseen easter egg into the latest battleground known as Piranha Pit. As with most easter eggs this one isn't immediately...
News Here are Nintendo's Nominees for the Game Developer's Choice Awards
Splatoon is up for three awards, Super Mario Maker is up for one
In a couple short months, it'll be about that time of year for the annual Game Developers Conference, one of the largest events in the industry. Rather than E3, which is centered around new announcements for greater audiences, GDC is primarily focused on the craft of game development...
News Splatoon's Next Splatfest in North America is All About Time Travel
Dinosaurs or Spaceships?
It's getting to be that time again for North Americans to partake in the monthly Splatfest for Splatoon. After last month's decidedly more festive approach to things, we're getting yet another topic that few likely saw coming. The Splatfest's theme will be about whether you'd rather time travel to the past or the future...
News The Sloshing Machine Neo is Splashing Its Way Into Splatoon
Getting sloshed at the weekend
Nintendo has found a more wholesome and healthy way for us to get sloshed this weekend (Google it), confirming the latest free weapon to be heading into Splatoon. Due on the evening of 8th January in North America and the early hours of the morning on 9th January in Europe, the Sloshing Machine Neo will bring a bit of...
News Splatoon Watches Hit Stores In Japan
*Sigh*, in Japan...
With Splatoon's ink-redible (apologies) popularity, it's only inevitable that Nintendo has been capitalising on the merchandise machine with its hottest new franchise. While the West has been treated to a few things here and there, Japan has certainly had its share of Splatoon spoils since the game's launch in May, such as...
News Get Ready to Add the Octobrush Nouveau to Your Splatoon Arsenal
Ring in the new year with this fresh new paintbrush
As of now, the near constant updates to Splatoon are nearly upon their final hour. Though Splatfests and occasional balancing updates will be continuing for the foreseeable future, the stream of new equipment and stages is set to end in January. All the same, there's still a bit more content that's...
December2015
News Piranha Pit is Heading to Splatoon Very Soon
Depending on your time zone...
The festive Splatoon updates continue to roll in, with a new stage next to grace the game before we move into 2016. Piranha Pit is coming 'tomorrow morning', as confirmed by Nintendo of Europe; based on typical update times that should mean the stage goes into rotation at 7pm Pacific / 10pm Eastern on 28th December in...
News Splatoon Developers Talk Stage Design and the End of Regular Updates
It's been a good run
Splatoon has evolved significantly from its original state at launch, with fourteen stages and over seventy weapons available to gamers. Considering how popular the game has been, and how it's managed to maintain that popularity, it's safe to say at this point that the launch of this new IP has been a resounding success...
News Nintendo of Europe Announces the Next Splatfest for the Region
Would you rather be fit or rich?
Every time a new splatfest for Splatoon is announced, the topic of the battle is always something interesting. Some highlights thus far have been Autobots and Decepticons, Love and Money, and whether or not pineapple should be on pizza. While it seems like the least popular team is always the one that manages to eke...
News The Rapid Blaster Pro Deco is the Next Weapon to be Coming to Splatoon
A last minute Christmas gift from Nintendo
It seems that just about every week, we receive another update to Splatoon that adds in yet another new weapon, or a variant on an existent model. This week is no different and a new update is due to drop in only a few hours. The new gun that will be made available is not a new model, but another 'deco'...
News Super Mario Maker Scoops Amazon Game of the Year Award
Now, if only Amazon US stocked the system properly
We're not sure what the 'thing' is between Nintendo of America and Amazon US, but the retailer in the region primarily sells Wii U hardware through third-party vendors, often at bizarre prices compared to other stores. Games are stocked and sold by Amazon, but not the systems directly; it's a...
News The Tri-Slosher Nouveau is The Next New Weapon in Splatoon
Posh name for a green bucket
Splatoon is heading towards the end of its weekly benevolence that brings us free extras, so we should make the most of it while we can. As is often the case the development team is serving up a fresh weapon in time for the weekend, and this time it's the Tri-Slosher Nouveau. Well, it's a green bucket, so the name seems...
News Nintendo Shows Off Splatoon's New Upcoming Stages Through the Art of Dance
Piranha Pit and Ancho-V Games on the way
With Splatoon's free DLC set to largely wrap up in January, beyond balancing tweaks and fixes, its no surprise that it'll try to close with a bit of a bang. Since its May launch the game has expanded a great deal with new modes and maps, and it'll be the latter which gets a boost soon. Piranha Pit and...
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