November 9, 2026 7:37 PM

Splatoon 3 Splashes On To Switch In 2022

Nintendo’s online focused team-based ink shooter, Splatoon, returns next year with the announcement of a surprise third entry.

Announced during today’s jam packed Nintendo Direct, Splatoon 3 takes your Squid/Kid adventures to a new place – the post apocalyptic world of The Splatlands. There your customized Inkling will do battle against others hardened by whatever catastrophic event has occurred as you become accustomed to your new surroundings in the city of Splatsville.

In terms of new features – details are light, given that the game is at least a year away if not more. Shown during the new trailer is a revamped take on customization – gone is Inkling gender, replaced with a more free form appearance options. Let’s not also forget the new companion, your “little buddy”, oh and a brand new weapon the Ink Bow!

Other details are almost non-existent, given that Splatoon 3 is at least 12 – 18 months from release and Nintendo doesn’t really dive deep into their games until a couple months before release.

Splatoon 2 was revealed alongside the Nintendo Switch in 2016, held a weekend stress test during the launch month of the console and released in the Summer of 2017. Support for Splatoon 2 – that is major updates and additions ended with version 5.0 in July 2019.

Check out the trailer and several HD screen grabs:

An Inkling crouching in the desert Splatlands with their little buddy companion in the Splatoon 3 announcement trailer
Image credit: Nintendo

An Inkling holding the new Ink Bow weapon in Splatoon 3
Image credit: Nintendo

An Inkling riding a train through the desert with their little buddy in Splatoon 3
Image credit: Nintendo

The city of Splatsville in Splatoon 3
Image credit: Nintendo

Character customization options in Splatoon 3
Image credit: Nintendo

About the Author

Kit Juniper Rose

As a founding member of Broken Joysticks and Editor In Chief her duties include planning editorial content, writing news posts and managing the team of misfits known as BroJo. Outside of Broken Joysticks she is a transgender rights advocate and university student studying psychology. She can be contacted at RaeLangdon[At]Brokenjoysticks.net, or followed on twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/Kitsune86">@Kitsune86</a>

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