Nintendo has announced the release date for Splatoon 3's upcoming Wave 1 DLC release, the first part of its recently-revealed Expansion Pass. Excitement surrounding the release of Splatoon 3 in September 2022 has yet to wane, as inklings and octolings alike continue to battle for turf. Much like with Splatoon 2, Nintendo plans to encourage continued support of Splatoon 3 through post-launch content. And it's arriving sooner than many Splatoon fans may have expected.
Unlike Splatoon 2, which delivered its premium post-launch content via the Octo Expansion, Splatoon 3 is trying out the now industry standard Expansion Pass. Announced recently, Splatoon 3's Expansion Pass will be delivered in two different waves. Wave 1 of the Expansion Pass is named Inkopolis and Wave 2 is named Side Order. The full Expansion Pass costs $24.99 and there's currently no option to order the individual waves separately.
Inkopolis will be arriving in Splatoon 3 surprisingly soon. Nintendo has announced on Twitter that Splatoon 3 players will be able to visit the classic Splatoon 3 location starting on February 28. Considering the Splatoon 3 Expansion Pass was announced just one week ago, a release date for Wave 1 before the end of the month is a very impressive turnaround.
Wave 1 of the Splatoon 3 Expansion Pass focuses heavily on the introduction of a new visitable social location. Players can travel from the Splatoon 3 home city of Splatsville back to the original Splatoon city Inkopolis. All the weapons and gear players are familiar with in Splatsville will also be found in Inkopolis, so there's no reason not to visit the new city. As a special bonus, Squid Sisters Callie and Marie will also do performances in Inkopolis whenever there's a Splatfest going on.
While many Splatoon 3 players were hoping for a more substantial combat or story-focused DLC in the Expansion Pass, it's important to remember this is just Wave 1. Nintendo decided that releasing Inkopolis sooner rather than later would be preferable to holding it back until the Splatoon 3 Side Order DLC is ready. No release window has been confirmed for Side Order yet, but the hope is that it'll arrive this summer or fall at the latest.
Splatoon 3 players should also take note that the current catalog, Splatoon 3's version of a battle pass, is expected to end right around when Inkopolis will be arriving. Those wanting to earn any remaining Chill Season 2022 catalog items should make sure to do so before Inkopolis arrives. A new spring catalog should arrive along with the DLC.
Splatoon 3 is available now on Nintendo Switch.
