Splatoon’s unique inking, transforming, and swimming mechanics have helped it carve a unique position in the shooter genre. Ink itself completely changes the focus of normal gameplay, and helped Splatoon rise quickly to great success, and earn its third and newest installment, Splatoon 3.
Since ink makes the ground an even more valuable resource, Splatoon’s stages matter even more than those of other shooters. Across the three games in the series, many stages have come and gone, but Splatoon 3 includes a great balance of old and new turf to ink. It’s hard to find a Splatoon map that isn’t fun to play on, but through their aesthetics and interesting layouts, some stages rise above the rest.
8 Museum D'Alfonsino
This is easily one of Splatoon’s most dynamic stages. Back in Splatoon 1, it featured five spinning platforms, but they’ve been taken down to three for Splatoon 3. The remaining platforms are constantly spinning, constantly changing up the dynamics of a fight.
Charger players can feel at home here, as the platforms give ample height for sniping. However, even they have to contend with the constant movement, possibly allowing opponents a chance to get the jump on them. The central spinning platform is also a hotbed for battle, as control of it gives any team a great advantage against approaching enemies.
7 Mako Mart
Ironically, while Mako Mart is based inside a supermarket, it is actually quite an open map, lacking a lot of the hallways and chokepoints that other maps feature. There isn’t even a main central point for battle, as the middle of the stage is quite open as well.
This means that Mako Mart plays like an almost free-form battle environment, where several smaller skirmishes can take place simultaneously while being separate from each other. It’s one of the better maps for turf wars, as its open plan provides plenty of inking space to fight over, while allowing looser teamwork to still be fairly effective.
6 Hammerhead Bridge
Hammerhead bridge has seen some of the biggest changes for a returning map in Splatoon 3. In the first game, the bridge was mid-construction, leaving open grates that players could fall through. Now, however, the construction is complete, changing the stage’s look and layout.
The grates have been closed and a roof built overhead, as well as the layout being generally flattened. This makes it feel a lot more claustrophobic than before, lending to its identity as a heavily straight and narrow map. It forces both teams to be aggressive, as they will constantly be forced to battle over the middle area in order to have a chance to reach the opposing side of the stage. Its sheer length also encourages the use of the super jump more often than usual.
5 Scorch Gorge
In the very first Splatoon 3 trailer, Scorch Gorge was shown off as the first of the new maps. It's a large, fairly wide map surrounded by breathtaking pillars of rock and an arid desert environment.
Gameplay wise, it does a great job of providing options for all weapons to get their splat on. The wide paths allow rollers to effectively ink large amounts of turf. Meanwhile, the elevated, grated platforms around the middle platform gives more ranged weapons great vantage points, while keeping them vulnerable to attack from below the grates.
4 Inkblot Art Academy
This rather large map returns from Splatoon 2 with no real changes. It takes place within an art school, so it features a lot of paintings and sculptures that add to its unique identity, as well as some limited water hazards near each spawn point.
The central battle area holds the most memorable aspect of the stage, a multi layered platform. Like the rest of the stage, the platform provides ample cover and varying elevation, creating dynamic interactions between different weapons and playstyles.
3 Wahoo World
Modeled after an amusement park, Wahoo World is another winner in the visual department. It features towering rides in the background and sleek wooden floors, as opposed to the almost stark white floors other stages get.
Its layout offers some protection from enemy attacks, with each base being inaccessible to attackers. Meanwhile, the main fighting is focused on around the central spinning platform, which regularly changes the routes traversable by each team. This means it has a good balance of focused aggression while still being forgiving to the losing team.
2 Hagglefish Market
As a new stage to Splatoon 3, Hagglefish Market is becoming a quick favorite of many players. Its aesthetics are pleasing to look at, with the stage being based in a busy waterside market. The various hanging banners help spice up the color palette.
The map is rather flat and narrow, meaning there is a lot less platforming or climbing to be done. Most players are inevitably pushed into the central area, where battle abounds. It is one of the few maps to feature ink rails as well, adding at least some vantage points.
1 Mahi Mahi Resort
Even before gameplay is taken into account, Mahi Mahi Resort is easily one of the best-looking maps in the Splatoon series. Returning from Splatoon 1, it has received a much-needed touch up, making the glittery pool of the resort much more pleasing on the eyes.
The map has a unique feature of lowering its water levels halfway through the match, revealing much more floor space to be inked. Before this, the constant danger of drowning keeps players on their toes and introduces more platforming. Afterwards, it offers a chance to shift the tides of the match. Bringing this map back was definitely the right call.
Splatoon 3 is out now for Nintendo Switch.