Skip to main content

Splatoon 3’s story pits squids against returning mammals

A new lengthy trailer for Splatoon 3 shown during today’s Nintendo Direct showcase gave a solid hint towards what players can expect from the game’s strange story. While it’s been hinted that Splatoon takes place in a post-apocalyptic version of Earth, the third entry in the franchise will see the Inklings deal with the return of mammals to the world.

Splatoon 3 – “Return of the Mammalians” – Nintendo Switch

The game itself takes place in Splatsville, a bustling metropolis populated by Inklings. It’s also where players will fight each other in the game’s main multiplayer mode, Turf War. Much like previous Splatoon games, two four-player teams compete against each other to cover as much ground as they can in their ink before a timer runs out. Whichever team has the most territory covered is the winner.

Recommended Videos

Updating the game mode, Splatoon 3 will include new ways for players to paint the world, including a Star Wars Droideka-style mech, a bow and arrow that fires paint, and a grappling hook that leaves paint wherever the user lands.

While the look we got at Splatoon 3‘s multiplayer was brief, our glimpse at its single-player story was even more so. The trailer showed quick snippets of Inklings venturing through their strange world, which is littered with the remnants of humankind like the Easter Island heads. However, it’s not clear exactly how players will progress through this mode.

Today’s Nintendo Direct pretty much stopped there when it came to new details for Splatoon 3. For the time being, it seems that the game’s developers want to keep it a secret. Players will simply have to wait until another showcase closer to the game’s still-unannounced release date for more information.

Splatoon 3 currently has a release window of 2022.

Otto Kratky
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Otto Kratky is a freelance writer with many homes. You can find his work at Digital Trends, GameSpot, and Gamepur. If he's…
5 things we expect to see during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, and 3 we don’t
Joy-cons detach from a Nintendo Switch 2.

After years of waiting, tomorrow finally begins a new chapter in Nintendo's storied history. Wednesday, April 2 will bring us a Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, which is set to fully lift the lid on Nintendo's next console. It's set to be a major stream filled with hardware news, a deep look at the Joy-cons' new mouse functionality, and a host of freshly announced games. It's likely going to be the biggest video game live stream of the year, so it's the kind of thing you don't want to miss (and you won't miss our guide on how to watch the Switch 2 Direct).

Today, we've got one final day left to speculate on the mysterious console. What can we expect from tomorrow's stream? What games will be announced? What won't we learn? To help keep your expectations in check, here's what you should and shouldn't have on your bingo cards tomorrow.
Expect: A June release date
Nintendo Switch 2 – First-look trailer

Read more
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond gets a big new trailer, but no release date
Samus holding up a glowing fist in Metroid Prime 4.

Nearly eight long years after it was first announced, Nintendo still isn't willing to put a release date on Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. The game made a big appearance at the March Nintendo Direct with a new trailer but, sadly, is still only slated for 202.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Nintendo Direct 3.27.2025

Read more
Everything announced at the March 2025 Nintendo Direct
Profile shot of Samus in the first Metroid Prime 4 Beyond trailer.

With less than a week to go until the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, Nintendo gave the first Switch one last go-around with a Direct of its own. This Thursday morning Nintendo Direct gave us a clear idea of what to expect from Nintendo Switch throughout the rest of 2025 and even a bit into 2026. Unfortunately, we did not get release dates for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond or Pokémon Legends: Z-A, but we did get in-depth looks at gameplay from both titles.

On top of that, there were plenty of surprise reveals, such as Sony bringing classic Patapon games to Nintendo Switch and Nintendo teasing new Tomodachi Life and Rhythm Heaven games for 2026. To help you keep track of what was part of this showcase, I've recapped everything announced during the March 2025 Nintendo Direct. Read through this, and you'll have a clear idea of what to expect from Nintendo Switch as its successor finally arrives.

Read more