The third entry to the inky series, Splatoon 3, is confirmed for early 2022, and fans can barely wait. Splatoon 3's latest trailer was tightly packed with blink-and-you'll-miss-it information. Though hardcore fans of the series may have watched it several times through already, there are still details in it that many haven't noticed.
With so much information splattered quickly across the screen, it is easy to miss some details. Fear not, fellow ink-aholics — here is a list of the things that may have slipped fans' notice. Expect these features to show up in Splatoon's next installment!
10 There's A New Band
Since the series' inception on the Wii-U, Splatoon has been renowned for its fresh and funky soundtrack. Mixing punk with rap and hip-hop, along with influences from many other genres, the songs featured in the game have become hits. They are also penned by a few different artists — and the upcoming third game has granted fans with another band.
C-Side, the new musical act featured in the game, consists of three nautical members, one of which resembles a pufferfish. A demo for their song Clickbait has been released, and fans are already eager for more.
9 Inklings Are No Longer Gendered
In the two previous titles, players were presented with a choice of male- or female-presenting Inklings or Octolings. The choice affected which clothes were available, and how the squids could style their hair.
Splatoon 3 has removed this, and squids are now completely genderless. Any inkling can wear any cut of clothes or any hairstyle, in a progressive move by Nintendo. This follows Animal Crossing New Horizon implementing the ability for characters to wear any hair or clothing no matter which gender the player chooses.
8 Coffee Machines Are The New Spawn
As many gamers will know, spawn points are the regeneration point during battles and the place that players enter when the game starts. Previously in Splatoon games, these spawns have been flat, circular pads on the ground lit up in the team's colors.
This time around, it seems that players are shot out of coffee machines mid-air, landing on the battlefield. This new design does pose some questions. With the flat pads, players could walk easily off onto the ground, but with a coffee machine in the air, do the Inklings just drop from the sky again? How did they get there? Is this sanitary?
7 Salmonids Are Friends Now
In a shocking turn of events, the swarming, swimming enemies of Splatoon 2 have now become...friends? While Mr. Grizz is as of yet nowhere to be seen, his prized prey have turned their sights to Inklings, but this time they aren't wielding frying pans.
In Nintendo action-packed trailer, the players' character is seen next to a small-fry Salmonid, which follows them around and sits in their backpack. The little buddy can also be customized with different "hair" styles, and possibly clothing or coloring, too.
6 Bow & Arrow Weapons
Splatoon players have drawn fan art featuring bow-and-arrow or crossbow weapons for years, and it seems to have finally paid off. Splatoon 3 is introducing a dastardly-looking bow and arrow weapon class.
In trailers for the third game, Inklings are seen wielding these wild creations. They fire three streams of ink in similar directions, and may either be rapid-fire or more like the Charger class of weapons. It is also likely that they will act like the Roller style: firing in one direction for players on the ground, and then in a different one should the player jump while attacking.
5 The New City
Splatoon has featured iconic locations in both of its previous installments. Inkopolis and Inkopolis Square were defining areas of previous games: both had clothing shops, online services, and the quintessential lobby for online play.
The third paint party location is Splatsville, a new, densely built-up city located in the wild Splatlands. Rumour has it that this busy place is built upon the real city of Kowloon in Hong Kong. All fans know for sure is that this place is far from the familiar Inkopolis, and has new decor and vibes for players to investigate.
4 There Are New Mobility Moves
Technically, these are part of a special ability, but it is more to do with movement and escaping than performing an offensive action. The ability and weapon in question is the Zipcaster.
The weapon's ability changes the Inkling into something that looks like a painted version of the Pokemon Greninja: a long, stretchy form with a scarf. While activated, players can Spider-Man their way around the map, grabbing certain points and leaving a nice explosion of Ink in their wake. Much like the Inkjet, when time runs out, players will be transported back to the location they activated it in.
3 A New Secondary Ability Appears
Every weapon in Splatoon has a sub (a bomb or other small item), and a special ability. These special abilities are usually offensive, but can also be protective like Ink Armor or deploy tracking mechanisms.
The most recent trailer for Splatoon 3 has shown a new special ability: the Big Bubbler. When placed, it creates a large sphere around the player, making a safety zone. This mysterious orb is a temporary shield against enemy hits. Bombs will explode on contact with it, and enemy ink cannot penetrate it.
2 The Kraken Is Returning
Ah, the Kraken. A special from Splatoon, it is as destructive as it is satisfying. Costing 200p, it allows players to swim freely through all ink on the map, and leave a trail of their own color. Running into another Inkling will splat them instantly. The speed boosts attached to clothing also apply to the special.
Trailers for Splatoon 3 have indicated that this stupendous squid is making a return. Interestingly, the Inkling Amiibo unlocked Kraken-related challenges in the first game. Maybe these will reappear, too? Fans will just have to wait and see.
1 Crab Tanks
At first glance, players thought this was a bomb. But the view of it in the trailer showed off a false size: this is in fact a crab-shaped tank that Inklings can control.
Looking like a cross between a space station droid and a crash test dummy, this special weapon is armed with three cannons. So far it has been seen to act like the Baller special from Splatoon 2, being able to scale walls and move fast. It also seems to have two modes of firing Ink, with bullet-like hails or a large splat of paint. We're sure this will be every player's main choice of special.