Splatoon 3 pushes the formula to its peak: new mobility moves, an enriched co-op mode and the delightful Tableturf card game as a bonus. The turf shooting keeps its singular energy and stylish identity. The best entry point to the series today.
Your verdict
Category
Third-Person Shooter8 players7+
Co-op
Description
In a desert region, inklings and octolings wage frenetic ink battles. Published by Nintendo, released worldwide in 2022. Four-on-four matches, new special weapons, a beefed-up Salmon Run co-op, a story mode and online play for up to eight.
Splatoon 3 review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
3/5
Story
★★★★★
"Solid"
The new bands, from Deep Cut to familiar returns, push even further the blend of punk, hip-hop and J-rock that defines the series. Frantic tempos and improbable hooks match the colorful chaos of the battles. That riot of sonic energy, never repetitive, carries every match with infectious vitality.
Gameplay
"Masterful"
Everything that landed in the inky formula gains mobility here: new moves, sharper dodges and a richer Salmon Run refine an already exhilarating sense of flow. Gyro aiming remains a precision treat, and the four-versus-four matches rank among the most original shooters around. It's the most complete entry, and the best gateway today.
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Beyond the turf war, it's the sheer abundance of activities that keeps you around. Splatoon 3 adds to the frantic multiplayer an expanded Salmon Run, the Tableturf card game, and a lively hub where every session brings badges, gear, and a seasonal catalog to fill out. Seasonal progression doles out renewed objectives, and the smooth match-to-match flow invites you to keep going without noticing. The variety of content appeals to competitor and collector alike. A caveat: the catalog and reward chase can encourage very long sessions, and ranked pressure sometimes wears down the fun.
Four-on-four sharpens the inky formula further: nimble movement, zone coordination and mutual support flip matches in a flash, in a giddy, twitchy tension. The competition stays gripping without turning sour, and Salmon Run brings a welcome cooperative flavor against the waves. Built first for online, its full potential leans on server availability; locally, that colorful energy still lands every single time.
Is Splatoon 3 still worth playing in 2026?
Splatoon 3 refines an already excellent formula without revolutionizing it, and that is precisely its strength and its limit. The four-on-four matches stay among the most original shooters around, the Salmon Run co-op grows richer and the story mode surprises with its inventiveness. It is the most complete Splatoon, and the one that now enjoys the most active support. Veterans may feel a sense of repetition compared to the second. But to discover the series or play online today, it is without question the best entry point.
