Splatoon

Splatoon is a series of third-person shooter video games developed and published by Nintendo. The first entry, Splatoon, released for the Wii U in 2015. It centers on Inklings, humanoid characters who can transform into squids, and their battle to ink territory with vibrant colors. The game is set in a fictional city called Inkopolis and emphasizes fast-paced multiplayer battles as well as a single-player campaign.

Multiplayer modes revolve around turf control: teams of four compete to cover the map with their color ink within three minutes. Players shoot ink using a variety of weapons and can swim through their own ink to move quickly, refill ink, or ambush opponents. The ink also interacts with the map, as surfaces can be painted to create paths or block opponents. Special weapons, earned by racking up ink or performing actions, add strategic options. Ranked modes, such as Splat Zones, Tower Control, and Rainmaker, along with local and online play, drive competitive play. A periodic Splatfest pits players on opposing sides of a theme.

Splatoon 2, released for the Nintendo Switch in 2017, added new content, stages, and a cooperative mode called Salmon Run. It also expanded the roster with new weapons and introduced Octolings as playable characters via the Octo Expansion DLC in 2018. Splatoon 3, released in 2022, continues the multiplayer focus with new features, a new hub area called Splatsville, and additional single-player content.

Splatoon has been praised for its distinctive cel-shaded art style, balance between accessible play and depth for competitive players, and ongoing post-release updates. The franchise has supported e-sports-style competition and has remained a prominent Nintendo online service for years.