Splatoon 3

Splatoon 3 has something to offer everybody, regardless of what type of games you usually play. It excludes no one and keeps on giving long after the credits have rolled on its chaotic shooter action.

Nintendo finally managed to make a true "online shooter" with the third game of the series. If you thought Splatoon 2 was inadequate as a "second game", I can guarantee that you will not think the same for Splatoon 3.

Nintendo perfectly knows how to take to the next level their traditional formulae, and Splatoon 3 is a clear example of this. It is one of the best multiplayer online games on the Nintendo Switch and a must-have for all of the fans of this colorful franchise.

Splatoon 3 is the culmination of its own formula with a more complete experience than ever. Inspired by the Octo Expansion, this new episode offers a fun story mode with the diversity of its levels and its pleasant hub to explore. The title does not forget its fundamentals with an effective multiplayer, as usual, which benefits from new subtle movements and new weapons. And if the Salmon Run is still as nice as ever, what it offers is very similar to what we experienced in Splatoon 2. And if its close proximity to its predecessor is the main criticism that we can make of this third opus , it's still a great new exclusive for the Nintendo Switch.

As Nintendo's unique Splatoon series reaches its third installment, the addictive online mode is accompanied by a single player mode that is at least as good. With levels filled with clever and varied ideas, this is Nintendo at its best. Online, much is the same as before - but why fix something that still works well?

With a sizable single-player campaign, enhanced multiplayer modes, as well as an expanded arsenal of whimsical weapons, Nintendo has yet again proven why Splatoon is now one of its most valuable properties. Its core mechanics remain brilliant, only elevated by the superb soundtrack that helps keep things fresh. While nothing revolutionary, Splatoon 3 refines everything that players love about the series for what is its best entry yet.

Splatoon 3 adds nothing of significance to the series, which is quite disappointing considering that it, as a whole, was bursting with originality when it first launched.

The learning curve for this game can be high, and wading through some of the lower levels for Turf War or Anarchy can be difficult, but once you hit about A ranking or learn the basics of Turf War the well thought out arena mechanics of the game shine. This combined with a unique style, fantastic soundtrack, and fast paced yet approachable arcade length matches keeps the game fresh and worth coming back for more. That is even leaving out all of the PVE content that is available should you get tired of the PVP items.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

REFINEMENT OVER REVOLUTION — THE SERIES REACHES ITS LIMIT: As of 2026, Splatoon 3 represents the most feature-complete version of Nintendo’s ink-flinging shooter. Between the solid "Return of the Mammalians" campaign and the 2025 Switch 2 performance patches, the game is undeniably polished. However, beneath the neon coat of paint, it remains a "safe" sequel that struggles to solve the core issues that have plagued the franchise for a decade. THE PROS: BEST-IN-CLASS SOLO CONTENT: Both the base campaign and the Side Order DLC offer creative, mechanically deep challenges that stand as a series high point. SWITCH 2 POLISH: The 2025 hardware update finally delivers the stable frame rates and resolution the chaotic "Salmon Run" mode always deserved. SMART MAP TWEAKS: Significant redesigns to original stages have successfully added flanking routes, slightly reducing the "choke point" frustrations of launch. REFINED MOVEMENT: The Squid Roll and Surge mechanics add a subtle but rewarding layer of skill to every encounter. THE CONS: FRUSTRATING CONNECTIVITY: Even in 2026, the reliance on peer-to-peer netcode leads to "communication errors" that feel out of place in a modern competitive landscape. INCREMENTAL INNOVATION: For veterans of Splatoon 2, this often feels more like a massive "Version 2.0" expansion than a bold new chapter. THE CATALOG GRIND: While the move to recycled seasonal rewards has helped, the sheer amount of time required to unlock gear and ability chunks remains a significant hurdle for casual players. THE FINAL VERDICT: Splatoon 3 is a great game but I feel that it is held back by its refusal to truly evolve. It is the best way to play Splatoon, but if you were already burnt out by the previous entries, there isn't enough reinvention here to change your mind. It is a stylish, fun, but ultimately familiar experience.

I’ve been playing for around 6 years. Both Splatoon 2 and 3 but recently my WiFi bugs out and I get a “communication error”, and I’m generously given a loss ALTHOUGH the game knows it was my WiFi and not me quitting the game, or leaving out of spite towards my team. If this persists It’ll probably assist in the games overall downfall; along with that just punishing people for having buggy WiFi is a terrible thing implemented into the game, I used to love the game but it's just gotten trash with balance changes too. Finally changing all the maps and weapon kits are making old players leave and never come back, the game has no nostalgia or connection towards the others in any way. 4/10

Now that major updates are done for splatoon 3, it’s safe to say this is the worst game in the series. As a stand alone game, splatoon 3 is a 7/10, maybe an 8/10, but as the 3rd game in the series and the 2nd one in the same console, this game is a 4/10 maybe even less. Splatoon 3 fails in almost every aspect as a sequel, my main problems being the atrocious map design, the new lackluster update cycle, boring and stale balance patches, almost no new modes, the new modes that were added were either time limited, poorly balanced, or boring, the main attraction since splatoon 1 (splatfests) were completely butchered, side order getting old very fast, etc… This game had the potential to be the best game in the series, we had the best at launch story mode, better special design, but the negatives FAR outweigh the positives.