A few places are sold out, but there will be more in the market

Although the set of three Splatoon 3 amiibo haven't actually come out yet, we're going back to Splatoon 2 this week in some form or another with a Splatoon 2 amiibo restock.

We knew this was coming, but as amiibo News points out, the figure trio are back today online, but several retailers are sold out of various stock: meaning, if you wanted to pick these up at some point, now isn't a bad ti??me. Amazon, Best Buy, and Gamestop have units in stock, but it's not guaranteed any one of them will be in.

At the moment of publication, here is what seems to be available for the Splatoon 2 amiibo wave:

• Amazon has the Inkling Boy (Green) and Inkli?ng Squid (Purple) for slightly ove?r MSRP
• Best Buy has Inklin?g Boy (Green) fully in stock at MSRP
• GameStop is currently out of stock, but may get more in

Here's what the amiibo situation looks like going forward (2022-2023):

• Splatoon Inkling (Yellow)
• Octoling (Blue)
• Smallfry
• Sephiroth
• Pyra/Mythra
• Kazuya
• Sora (still needs full confirmation)

As always, you can check out when those were released here in our master amiibo list, which has been updated since 2014.

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The Turf Wars are still raging

Last week, we got a massive info-dump on the next entry in Nintendo's squid-shooter, Splatoon 3. It was a ton, ranging from a new hub and idol group to lockers, practice mode, and a catalog system. It was exciting, and because of that, I thought it might be time to?? return to its predecessor.

So I re-downloaded Splatoon 2, booted it up, and ventured out into the plaza. And within minutes I was reminded that yes, Splatoon is still quite good.

Walls of artwork, everywhere

One thing I immediately wanted to check in on was the latest in public plaza art. Splatoon 2 let players draw and set messages for their characters, k??ind of li?ke a mixture of statuses and forum signatures, that other people could see in-game.

It wasn't long until I saw plenty of Splatoon art hyping up the new game.

Some artists have been sharing their own work on Twitter too, like these excellent sketches of the Deep Cut crew.

//twitter.com/shayshayshamera/s?tatus/155??8606555142053888

Different art already proclaimed their hype for the game or their favorite new idol. Players are also already picking sides for the upcoming Splatoon 3 SplatFest World Premiere, which will demo the game ahead of its launch date and?? also showcase the new changes to SplatFests with three idols. Clearly, we're all backing Big Man.

Hit the Turf

Originally, I had just intended to hop on and check out the art, seeing what work artists were up to in my absence. Maybe get a sense of where the needle was landing on favorite Splatoon idol, or which team was leading in the ear??ly SplatFest popularity race.

But being just mere s?teps away from the competitive doorway, I couldn't resist. I had to just jump back in for at least a match or two, right? My favorite threads and Aerospray MG, my preferred ink dispersal d??evice, were just sitting there, waiting for me.

I clocked in one match, and then another, and another, and even more. I think I played for at least a couple hours. And folks, Splatoon 2 is still solid as ever.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUYDXVDLmns

While I was slow at first, it didn't take long for my hands t?o get back into the swing of things. Soon, I was lobbing ink down the arena and zipping forward, looping circles around other players and seizing turf. Turf War has always been my preferred? mode; while I like the objectives just fine, there's a quick and fast feeling to a Turf War that just clicks with me.

I dumped a bunch of time in, and now I'm thinking about going back in again this evening. If anything, this has me more excited for Splatoon 3. And it's also a good reminder that in a catalog full of long-running series like Mario and Zelda, Splatoon has managed to make an indelible mark in just two games. If you need a warm-up before the third rolls around, try booting Splatoon 2 back up.

Splatoon 3 goes live on?????????????????????????? September 9, 2022. The SplatFe??st demo will take place next weekend, on August 27 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. PT.

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Jump right into the midst of anarchy

Nintendo hosted a Splatoon 3 Direct today, detailing what's to come in September. Alongside that news, it also launched a site for Splatoon 3 with even more info, including what rewards players with save data from Splatoon 2 will get in the new game.

According to the Splatoon 3 site, users who have Splatoon 2 save data can ge??t a few different bonuses when they load up the third game. They range from equipment benefits to unlocking a few multiplayer settings earlier than others.

One of the Splatoon save data bonuses is three Gold Sheldon Licenses. These will let players access their favorite weapons immediately, without concerns about player level. So if you have a particular favorite from previous Splatoon games that you want to check out, you can grab it right out of the gate. And yes, all weapons from previous Splatoon games will be in Splatoon 3.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtMOAvOWTvY

Anarchy Battles, the objective-based playlist with special settings, will also be unlocked from the get-go for those with Splatoon 2 save data. Splatoon 2 players can also start with a higher rank in the third, depending on their previous ranking. And the game will also match you against players who hit a similar skill level to you in Splatoon 2.

Splatoon 3 save data rewards

• Three Gold Sheldon Licenses
• Anarchy Battles unlocked right away
• Start with higher rank (commensurate to Splatoon 2 ranking)
• Match against players in your Splatoon 2 skill bracket

It seems like a nice way to get back up to speed quickly with the action in Splatoon 3. Re-levelling up and climbing the ranks again might have be??en one thing, but this cuts away some of the busy-work. Plus, it'll get that ink bucket back in my hands ??that much faster.

Today's Splatoon 3 Direct also showcased a bunch of other features in the upcoming Switch game. Splatoon 3 will have a Gwent-like card game, a new set of amiibo, and tons of new maps, w?eapons, and supers to utilize. Plus, Splatfests are moving to three-way battles, and you know I'm on Team Big Man.

Splatoon 3 launches on September 9 for Nintendo Switch.

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The party's not over until the squid lady sings

Nintendo may have long retired work on its arena shooter Splatoon 2 �in fact, the publisher is already gearing up for incoming sequel Splatoon 3 �but squid kids still battling out in Inkopolis can look forward to a fresh new balance update??, which will be dropping tomorrow evening on Nintendo Switch.

Of course, Version 5.5.0 will not contain any new conte??nt per se, such as weapons, maps, or the like, but the update is expected to include a fresh run of balance tweaks, as well as a selection of new bug stomps that should keep the ink flowing freely among the Splatoon faithful. Full patch notes detailing these changes will also be going live tomorrow.

As for its sticky sequel, Nintendo dropped a brand new trailer for Splatoon 3 during last week's Nintendo Direct. The "Return of the Mammalians" promo begins with typical Splatoon warfare, (albeit featuring a few new weapons and intriguing new contraptions), before veering off into mysterious new territory, giving us a glimpse at a post-Chaos Inkopolis, complete with the stran??ge ad?dition of fur 'n' fuzz and the promise of more colorful warfare to come.

I just want to see a Mad Max take on Pearl and Marina, honestly.

Splatoon 3 is in development for Nintendo Switch with an expected release date of? 2022.

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Supersize Me

The results of this weekend's Splatoon 2 splatfest are now in. After a typically messy battle, held to determine which is the greatest of the iconic Super Mario Bros. power-ups, Team Sup??er Mushroom beat out Team Super Star with a 2 - 1 victory.

In results that harken back to the strange days of monthly splatfests, Marina's Team Super Star actually took a staggering 68% of the public vote - which is huge in splatfest terms - but that didn't stop Pearl's Team Super Mushroom from bagging both Normal and Pro Play points to ultimately win the contest, a promotional event that coincides with Super Mario Bros. 35th anniversary.

It's probably fitting that Super Mushroom won, given it's important in the history of both the Super Mario franchise and gaming itself. Aside from the Pac-Man Power Pellet, I'm hard-pressed to think of an item that so immediately springs to mind when I consider the very concept of "power-ups" in gaming. Bad luck this time, Marina, All the invincibility in the world couldn't defend you from giantess Pearl.

The Splatoon 2 #Splatfest results are in, and #TeamSuperMushroom goes big with a 2-1 win!

Thanks as always to everyone who played, and make sure to pick up your Super Sea Snails in Inkopolis Square! pic.twitter.com/lYAknhxmIF

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) January 18, 2021

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Not mushroom for anyone else

They say "Just because a day started badly, doesn't mean it can't end well," but they don't tell you what to do if it's crappy at both ends AND all the way through. Still, there's always a bright spot tucked away somewhere in every day, right? And for me it's probably going to have to be this rad artwork of a 60-foot-tall incarnation of Splatoon's awesome host, Pearl.

I mean, I know I dubbed her "Queen of the World," but this is probably a little much.

This delightfully psychedelic piece of art has been released by Nintendo to promote an upcoming splatfest, to take place in Switch shooter Splatoon 2 this weekend. The topic of debate this time around concerns two iconic power-ups from the Super Mario Bros. franchise, namely the Super Mushroom and the Super Star. As demonstrated in the artwork, Pearl will be in the corner of the sizeable 'shroom, while Marina will be getting her high-speed invincibility on with t?he power of the Super Star.

As always, players will have the chance to battle it out for their chosen team, scoring points in Normal and Pro Play, as well as taking part in a public vote. The splatfest begins Friday, January 15 at 14:00 PT / 17:00 / 23:00 BST, with the curtain falling?? at the same time on Sunday, January 17. The winning team will be a??nnounced shortly thereafter.

Good luck squid kids, and stay Off the Hook!

The #Splatoon2 Splatfest is right around the corner! Pick #TeamSuperMushroom or #TeamSuperStar in game today, then help decide which Super Mario power-up is best when the action begins at 2pm PT on 1/15! pic.twitter.com/3nwqn1Imtv

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) January 12, 2021

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Posing Pricey Pop Princesses

When I was younger, I wasted so much money on merch and memorabilia. I used to go to comic and f??ilm fairs quarterly, with pockets full of hard-earned income, then traipse home loaded down with plastic junk I absolutely did not need and ultimately failed to validate my life. Since those heady, carefree days, I rarely purchase figures, models, and statues with the same reckless abandon...

...Then Good Smile revealed their Splatoon 2 Pearl & Marina Figmas and ruined everything.

Originally teased back in July, the Off the Hook duo will soon join Good Smile's huge range of colorful, nicely detailed, and highly poseable figurines - all of whom are based on a catalogue of heroes and villains from video game franchises such as Overwatch, Persona, Metroid, Silent Hill, Sword Art Online, and Fire Emblem, among others.

Pearl stands roughly 3.5 ?inches in height, while her Octoling pal Marina is a little taller at just under four inches. As with previous Figma releases, Pearl & Marina come packaged with alternate faceplates and hands, as well as an accessory pack featuring a microphone, Pearl's trusty chair, and Marina's DJ decks for when she's spinning the platters that matter.

Figmas retail fo??r premium prices at the best of times, but as Off the Hook are sold as a double-pack, the rap-rock duo will be retailing for an expensive $147 USD. Ha?d I known this, I wouldn't have pre-ordered a PS5, as I'm preeeetty confident that this is a better investment. Then again, I'm also on a helluva lot of medication today. Tomorrow, I expect cooler heads will prevail, and I will ultimately stick with the duo's equally fun, (and miles cheaper), amiibo equivalents.

The Splatoon 2 Pearl & Marina Figmas can be pre-ordered today over on the official Good Smile website. The pre-order period will close Jan?uary 14, 2021, with the gals expected to?? ship in June 2021.

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(Oh, and Team Treat won the splatfest)

This weekend saw the Splatoon 2 community take to the ink-stained arenas once again in a replay of another classic splatfest. Entering into the spirit of the season, players battled it out over the most important Halloween question of all: Trick or Treat?

Once the dust had settled, Marina's Team Treat successfully retained the crown, once again securing the victory over Pearl's Team Trick. While Team Trick won 58% of the public vote, Team Treat captured both Normal and Pro play points for the 2 - 1 victory, cementing - once and for all - that Splatoon players are all about getting hol??d of th?ose sweet treats.

In addition, Nintendo released some fun new artwork showing Marina and Pearl, along with squid sisters Callie and Marie, chilling at the dining table in what appears to be a spooky mansion. To be frank, it doesn't look like our pals are enjoying themselves, I'd hazard a guess that someone "edgy" brought Cards Against Humanity to the shindig.? Regardless, we didn't know how much the planet ??needed Goth Marina until this very moment.

Team Treat wins Splatoon's Halloween splatfest [Splatoon News]

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Ki Ki Ki, Ma Ma Ma...

Just because things have gone quiet on the Splatoon front, that doesn't mean the community isn't gearing up to celebrate the spooky Halloween season on the messy arena shooter. Next weekend will see the return of a classic Halloween splatfest, as players will wage war in a b??attle of "Trick" vs."Treat."

And for those of you hoping to look the part, then you're in luck, as Nintendo has re-released the Splatoon 2 Halloween gear DLC pack, which is available for all players to download for free right now. All you need do is visit the Splatoon? section in the Nintendo Switch news channel, and clic??k on the confirmation that lies therein.

Once confirmed, you will receive a package in-game that includes a hockey mask, a monster head, some devilish horns, and a ghostly hat, each of which includes a useful in-game buff. So be sure to don your creepiest outfit before you hit the arenas on the weekend of Friday, October 30, and let's win one more for everyone's favourite lil' devil, Pearl.

The spooky #Splatoween gear is here! Start up your #NintendoSwitch and check out the latest #Splatoon2 Switch News article on your device. Press the button at the bottom of the article to claim your gear, then pick up the package in your copy of Splatoon 2! pic.twitter.com/qbFwcRzn6E

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) October 17, 2020

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Ain't no trick

We're knee-deep in October, and already people are starting to feel those creepy Halloween vibes. Such is the case with Splatoon 2 hosts Pearl and Marina, who are set to do battle once again in the Nintendo Swi??tch shooter.

Nintendo has announced the coming of another classic splatfest, which will see the community d??uke it out over the Halloween tradition of "Trick or Treat." Of course, the mischievous Pearl will be standing firmly in the corner of Team Trick, while her more happy-go-lucky pal Marina will captain Team Treat.

Players will pick their preference before engaging in multicoloured warfare over the course of the weekend, with the winning team being decided by three points earned via Normal Play, Pro Play, and a public vote. Back in 2018, Marina's Team Treat took the win by capturing both play p??oints, despite losing the public v??ote. Will this year tell a different tale?

The Halloween splatfes??t goes live the weekend of October 30. S??tay Off the Hook.

Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble, the #Splatoon2 #Splatoween event approaches! As befitting the spooky season, this #Splatfest will pit #TeamTrick vs. #TeamTreat!

This eerie event begins 10/30, 3pm PT through 11/1, 2pm PT! pic.twitter.com/6BnQmRzfgw

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) October 9, 2020

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The toughest choice yet?

Splatfests are exceedingly rare nowadays. We just saw one wrap up in late August (eggs rule, chickens drool) but that was only the second in all of 2020. However, there are two more planned by the end of March 2021.

In a low-key rush-job section of this morning's knockout Mario Direct, Nintendo revealed one of those two Splatoon 2 Splatfests. In January, players will fight for their favorite Mario power-up. As Nintendo frames it "Which Super Mario power-up do you prefer? Supersize with a Super Mushroom or become invincibl??e with a Super Star?"

It's not as slapdash as it may seem at first. Whichever side you choose says a lot about you. The star is for the reckless and the confident. It is for those who will bowl through everything now without an insurance policy for 10 seconds later.? The mushroom, however, is for the responsible. It's for the person who adds to their 401(k) instead of buying a Porsche. Your mom would want you to be a mushroom person. (Well, you know what I mean.)

Like all of life's important questions, it'll be settled on the battlefield. Get your Rocky montage training sessions in now. Come January, we f?ight.

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Is this some sort of yolk?

Fans of Nintendo's arena shooter Splatoon 2 will have reason to jump back into battle this weekend, as the popular multiplayer title will re-run the fun on one of its classic splatfest showdowns. And this time, it's a question al??most as old as time itself.

Once again, players will be asked to choose an answer to the old conundrum of which came first: The Chicken or The Egg? Everyone's favourite rap-rock duo Off the Hook are in full effect, with Pearl standing in the corner of Team Chicken and Marina backing Team Egg. As always the battle will be decided by a three-point system, with one ?point being designated to a public vote, ??and the other two being won via Normal and Pro play battles.

This is a repeat of the original Chicken vs. Egg splatfest, which took place way back in March of 2018. Back then, Chicken took the 2 - 1 victory, but 2020 is a very, very different place, and I don't expect an ounce of sanity from anybody anymore, so we'll have to w??ait and see whether egg finally receives it long-awaited redemption.

The Chicken vs. Egg splatfest goes live Friday, August 21 at 15:00 PT / 18:00 ET / 23:00 BST and will run?? for 24 hours. The results will then be announced over the weekend. Sta?y tuned for more classic splatfests in the coming weeks.

Splatoon 2 is available now on Nintendo Switch.

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The next event is the Chicken vs. the Egg on August 21

Splatoon 2 has a few more hotly-contested questions f?or us to field througho?ut 2020.

Aside from sharing a piece of art for the game's third anniversary, Nintendo announced the next Splatfest revival event – the ancient "chicken or the egg" prompt – will return on August 21 at 3:00 p.m. Pacific, and a pair of "bonus" Splatfests will pop up in Splatoon 2 "before the end of March 2021."

I love it when Nintendo gets needlessly specific with minor dates. Take your suspense somewhere else!

We're getting into the anniversary spirit & taking another crack at a classic #Splatfest question! It’s your second chance to answer the conundrum of which came first, the Chicken or the Egg?

Get ready to pick your side when this 48-hour Splatfest begins 8/21 at 3pm PT! pic.twitter.com/1H8yhS1MLO

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 21, 2020

The company originally asked the semantics-driven which-came-first question in March 2018. Back then, Splatoon 2 players decided – through the time-honored tradition of ink warfare – that the chicken came before the egg. I'm spiraling into an existential crisis after reading ?all of your ??old comments.

After the way the Mayo vs. Ketchup re-run went down, we could see another upset in August.

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BUH-BAM!

If, like me, you miss the antics of Splatoon 2's Hostesses with the Most..esses, Pearl and Marina, then ??your spirits might be lifted by this image of their incoming Figmas, which are currently in the works at fine merch manufacturers GoodSmile.

While both Marina and her better companion Pearl are presented here unfinished and unpainted form, we can already see that the Off the Hook duo will feature the expert sculpture and precision articulation of which the Figma range is renown. The Splatfest hosts will no doubt look absolutely fabulous in their final forms. Unfortunately, there is still no release date announced for the rap??-rock duo, pre-orders are expected to go live later in 2020, so we'll be sure to keep you informed.

In the meantime, Splatoon 2 is available now on Nintendo Switch. While the colourful arena shooter has certainly entered its twilight years, it retains its passionate and welcoming community. There's s??till time to jump on board and paint the town red, green, and purple, while we wait eagerly for news of a sequel.

Pearl and Marina Figma prototypes [Dengeki Hobby / Nintendo Wire]

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What's your sauce?

It took over three years, but Ketchup has finally found redemption in Nintendo's online shooter Splatoon 2. In a re-run of one of the most famous splatfests in the sequel's history, the tomato-based table sauce saw a 2-1 victory a??gainst its eggy opponent Mayonnaise.

Cptained by adorable octoling Marina, Team Ketchup won both the public vote and the Pro-play point, while Pearl's Team Mayo scraped back a commiseration point from normal play. Back in 2017 Team Mayo came out on top, bagging both play points but again losing out on the public vote?. So it would seem that, to the squid-kid in the street, Ketchup is v?ery much the condiment of choice.

This Splatoon 2 rematch has been described as a "one-off", so it doesn't seem likely that Nintendo will be re-running any other previous splatfests. Of course, pencils have erasers, so if this weekend saw a huge surge in players, then maybe Nintendo will reconsider. In either case, it's great to see Splatoon 2 still? healthy in its twilight years and here's hoping its devoted community see some form of exciting news soon.

Splatoon 2 is available now on Nintendo Switch.

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How do you ruin YOUR dinner?

Dust off your Brellas, Sloshers, Dualies and Rollers, it's time to return to the rainbow-stained battlefields of Splatoon 2. This weekend, for the first time in a very long time, the Switch shooter's community will face off in a re-run of one of the most iconic splatfests: Mayo vs Ketchup.

Over the course of the weekend, players will choose a side and battle it out in the name of their favourite condiment. The splatfest three-point system will afford a point each for Normal and Pro play modes, with the third point being decided by public vote. Back in 2017, Mayo was declared the winner, having won both play points despite Ketchup taking a huge 73% of the public vote. Has the public's taste ??changed in recent years? We'll see.

Personally, I'm just happy to see Splatoon 2 splatfest hosts Off the Hook return in some slick new artwork. Queen of the World Pearl will once again be backing the white stuff, while her pleasing pal Marina is all about the tomato sauce. Haven't these kids heard of Mayochup?

The Mayo vs. Ketchup splatfest begins today, May 22, at 15:00 PT / 18:00 and will run until the same time on Sunday, May 24. Unfortunatel??y, it appears that this event is only open to North American players. Still, have fun and make the most of it, squid-kids!

Splatoon 2 is available now on Nintendo Switch.

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Sales officially Off the Hook

Things might've gone a little quiet in the world of Splatoon, but that's no indication that the colourful shooter series has fallen out of fan favour. In fact, as noted in Nintendo's recent financial report, latest entry Splatoon 2 has been an incredible succe?ss, having sold over 10 million copies since its launch back in 2017.

As one of the few competitive shooters on the platform, Splatoon 2 won over a battalion of fans, of all ages, from all over the world. This is thanks in no small part to its simple-but-deceptively-deep gameplay; inviting and colourful atmosphere; and cast of delightful, engaging characters. More than just a team-based shooter, Splatoon has truly built a welcoming and passionate community of players, as likely to be found rel?axing in the hub-world of Inkopolis as they are waging messy war on the battlefield.

With a steady stream of new content - as well as the insanely popular "Splatfest" events - Splatoon has gone from strength to strength since its 2015 Wii-U debut. There are not many Nintendo franchises that can boast of comics, music concerts, and clothing, but Splatoon's eclectic style and happy-go-lucky attitude have made the brand an internati?onal success. Here's hoping we receive news of a sequel sooner rather than later.

Splatoon 2 is available now on Nintendo Switch.

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Check it out for a free week of Nintendo Switch Online access

With so many people picking up a Nintendo Switch for the first time and looking for games to play when they need a (short) break from Animal Crossing, Nintendo is smart to shine a spotlight on old favorites. One example this month is Splatoon 2. We already told you about the Mayo vs. Ketchup Splatfest rerun, but it goes further: there's also a week-long "special demo" on the eShop and a Switch Online trial.

Inkoming! A Special Demo event for #Splatoon2 is on the way! You’ll be able to play Turf War, Ranked Battle, Salmon Run, and more beginning 4/29 at 11pm PT, to 5/6 at 6:59am PT. pic.twitter.com/U8tYN4SAVn

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) April 22, 2020

It's been a while! Nintendo is letting curious players check out 4v4 Turf War matches, Ranked Battles, and Salmon Run – Splatoon 2's frantic co-op mode that's so good, it deserves an expanded role in a sequel. The demo will be playable from Apri??l 29 at 11:00 p.m. Pacific until May 6 at 6:59 a.m. Pacific.

Normally, you'd need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to play this stuff, and that's still true today. However, if you grab the Splatoon 2 demo, Nintendo will send you a seven-day Switch Online trial code via email. You can redeem t??he code on the eShop whether you've used prior NSO tria??ls or not.

Lastly, a small deal on Splatoon 2 – 30 percent off – will be availab??le during the demo peri?od.

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Battle of the Condiments back for Round 2

Well, I certainly didn't expect to be writing one of these up anytime in 2020. But yes, it's true. Nintendo is rolling out a splatfest re-run on its delightful Switch shooter Splatoon 2.

Between May 22-24, squid-kids will be able to take to the colourful battlefields of Inkopolis once again, as Nintendo brings back the original Splatoon 2 splatfest: Mayo vs. Ketchup, which was first f?ought way back in August 2017, right after the sequel's initial ?release.

For those of you too young to remember The Great Wars, splatfests see Splatoon hosts ask the community to take sides on divisive topic. Over the course of a weekend, points are earned for each choice via a public vote, and through online wins earned in both Normal and Pro play modes. Once the weekend is over the points are tallied up, the winner is declared, and order is restored to the plan?et.

Previous splatfest topics ranged from the sensible - Sci-Fi vs Fantasy, Knights vs. Wizards, Kids vs. Grown-Ups  - to the weird - Time Travel vs. Teleportation, Salsa vs. No Salsa, and Toilet Paper Alignment - and even the philosophical - Money vs. Love and, erm, Fork vs. Spoon. This all came to a head in July 2019, when "The Splatocalypse" saw Chaos defeat Order in what was deemed to be the final splatfest.??.. At l??east until a sequel.

It's been some time since then, and sadly there's zero sign of a Splatoon 3 on the horizon anytime soon. But the faithful Splatoon community can still be found causing trouble in Inkopolis, and no doubt this splatfest re-run will have retirees dusting off their Brell?as again, even if temporarily. So be sure to make the most of it.

Splatoon 2 is available now on Nintendo S?witch. Stay Off the Hook.

It’s a #Splatoon2 #Splatfest so contentious we have to do it twice! #TeamMayo and #TeamKetchup are back and it’s up to you to determine which sauce is the boss!

This bonus one-off Splatfest kicks off 5/22 at 3pm PT and ends 5/24 at 3pm PT. pic.twitter.com/n5Ar6EUkJ0

— Nintendo Versus (@NintendoVS) April 22, 2020

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The flood times never ends

Arena-shooter Splatoon 2 may be well into its twilight years, but fortunately Nintendo isn't done keeping on top of the game just yet. A brand new update - labelled Version 5.10 - is now live in-game, bringing a run of balance tweaks ??and bug fixes to the popular Switch title.

The patch affects various weapons in Splatoon 2 arsenal, such as the Luna Blaster, Bamboozler 14, and L-3 Nozzlenose. Changes pertain to factors such as damage, reload speed, and ink consumption. Specials Splashdown and Baller have also seen new tweaks, while the points required to activate specials have been raised on numerous weapons.

Version 5.10 is the first of two incoming updates planned for Splatoon 2, although no new content is to be expected at any point in the future. Still, it's nice to see that the Splatoon team are stil??l looking for their dedicated community, rather than abandon them to?? the winds.

Splatoon 2 is available now on Nintendo Switch.

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Save Our Salmon?

Over the last few days, various video games and publishers have shared cheerful messages to ring in the new year with their fans. But this particular bout of well-wishing, from Nintendo's arena-shooter franchise Splatoon, might be more than meets the eye.

The message reads innocently enough: "Have A Great 2020," written on a seemingly tranquil seabed in the style of Salmon Run mode's Golden Eggs. But on reflection, (literally), the "202" appears in the? water as an "S.O.S" message, accompanied by a lonely lifebuoy.

The accompanying tweet appears to be written by shady in-game corporation Grizzco. "There are likely those taking a relaxing break, and those still living a busy life," it reads. "It seems that Grizzco is recruiting for part-time work even this early on New Year’s Day. If you would be so kind, why not join in the first haul of the new year? Please look after us this year as well." (Thanks to Siliconera for the translation.)

Of course, this could just be a fun bit of lore, referencing the corporation and its dubious treatment of the Salmonids, whose only crime is to want their eggs back. But no doubt fans can't help but hope that this not-so-hidden message could be a very early teaser to more Splatoon action in t??he new year. For now, this is just mere speculation.

Two new updates are scheduled for Splatoon 2 in the coming months, but these will j??ust be bringing around bug fixes and balance tweaks. Here's hoping that Squid-kids and Octolings everywhere receive some exciting news in 2020.

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— Splatoon（スプラトゥーン） (@SplatoonJP) January 1, 2020

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Boy, do I miss those splatfests though...

The sun has long set on Nintendo's arena shooter Splatoon 2, but th?at doesn't mean that the messy title has been abandoned. In fact, Nintendo has noted that several general updates will be made in the new year, helping?? to keep the Switch multiplayer title sharp.

There isn't much detail regarding the two updates - which were announced on the Japanese Splatoon Twitter account - but they are likely to bring a fresh round of balance tweaks?? and bug fixes to the title. The first is scheduled to drop on January 5-6, with a second? update planned for April.

Splatoon 2 had a great run, keeping players - and even non-players - engaged with its run of fun (and occasionally terrible) splatfests, hosted by the irrepressible Pearl and Marina. While it was sometimes a small chore to stay on top of all of the events, results, weekly weapon drops and such, it all had a special place in my heart. I do miss writing about it. Hopefully Splatoon fans will receive exciting news of a sequel at some point in the near future, but ??there's nothing on the horizon as of ye??t.

Splatoon 2 is availabl??????????????????????????e now on Nintendo Switch. Stay Off the Hook.

Splatoon 2 update announced [Japanese Nintendo]

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Shows up to jam with Off the Hook

Splatoon 2 hip-hop duo Off the Hook performed in concert this weekend a??t the Nintendo Live event, which is currently taking place in Kyoto, Japan. Pearl and Marina, j??oined by The Squid Sisters, blasted out all of their trademark "bangers," including "Ebb and Flow" and "Color Pulse."

But, in the greatest concert surprise since George Michael introduced Ladies and Gentlemen Mr. Elton John, the strum of an acoustic guitar brought out Animal Crossing's K.K. Slider, who took to the stage with his trademark stool and six-stringer. The balladeer dawg performed acoustic covers of the "Splattack!" theme, as well as the title music for the highly-anticipated new release Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

You can check out this seminal moment in music history - up there with Queen at Live Aid ?'85, The Beatles playing Shea Stadium in '65, and the Guns 'n' Roses Riverport Riot - at the start of this video.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons launches March 20 on Nintendo Switch.

K.K. Slider makes?? sur?prise appearance at Splatoon concert [Siliconera]

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You just keep me inking on

Sigh... it feels like forever since I last wrote a news article about Nintendo's online shooter Splatoon 2. The colourful Switch game is probably one of my most covered titles during my time with Destructoid, but ever since that final Splatocalypse, it's been understandably pretty quiet in regards to?? the kid-now, squid-now universe.

Still, it's good to know that the Switch sequel hasn't been totally abandoned, as Nintendo has dropped a new update, Version 5.0.1, which is centered entirely around stamping out some pesky bugs and glitches that still remain within Inkopolis. Of course there is no fresh content here, but it's still pleasing to s??ee t?he team ensuring that the game remains fun and fair in its twilight season.

For the full list of patch notes, check out the official Nintendo website right here.

Splatoon 2 is available now on Nintendo Switch. Stay Off t??he Hook.

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It ain't over 'til it's over

The splatfests and c?ontent d?rops may have come to an end, but that fortunately hasn't stopped the team from poking about under the hood of Splatoon 2. In fact, the Nintendo Switch title has just received its latest update, ensuring that the community can still wring colourful warfare out of the popular arena shooter.

Version 5.0, which is already available in game, brings changes to various multiplayer modes, adding Turf War to the Private Battle playlist as well as altering the terrain on certain maps, including the Shellendorf Institute and the?? New Albacore Hotel. Splatoon's arsenal has been rebalanced across the board and a commemorative Splatfest Replica shirt can be found in Inkopolis Square. Alongside all of the above, several bugs and glitches have been eradicated.

You can find the full patch notes over at the official Nintendo site. Splatoon 2 is a community-driven game that brings a lot of folks together, it's good to know that, even if things are winding down, that there's still plenty of fun to be had in Inkpolis with your fellow squid?? kids.

Splatoon 2 is available now on Nintendo Switch.

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The Splatfest will never die

When the original Splatoon ended its weekly Splatfests, there was no way to experience those festivities again until the eventual launch of the sequel. With Splatoon 2, Nintendo is taking a different approach. Since the world has been plunged into chaos with Pearl's glorious victory this past weekend, it looks like she demanded that the people have a way to replay those intense firefights. While they won't be accessible to the general public with thousands of people queueing up, Splatoon 2's version 5.0 update will allow players the opportunity to create pri??vate matches on the Splatfest levels.

In another cool move, players will even able to select the colors for the Splatfest maps. If you're sick of seeing the default Pink and Green, why not go for O??range and Blue? Additionally, all players will be receiving a special Splatfest T-shirt for battle t??hat will unlock the "Ability Doubler" attribute. Since the special shirts available during each Splatfest were limited-time deals, this one will be a permanent addition to your wardrobe.

The version 5.0 update for Splatoon 2 will be landing sometime within the next week. This will likely be the final update before any announcement of Splatoon 3, which Nintendo is being awfully quiet about.

Splatoon 2: Nintendo posts ??'Thank You' video following final Splatfest [Video Games Chronicle]

Splatoon 2 Tha?nks The Players With Splatfest?? Flashback And Ver. 5.0 Details [Siliconera]

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'I'm just playing, Marina, you know I love you...'

[Update: Nintendo has released a video thanking the fans for the support, filled will some of the cool fan art contributions to The Splatocalypse. You can check it ?out at the foot of the article.]

And that, as they say, is that. After two years of messy online warfare, Nintendo's Switch shooter Splatoon 2 held its final splatfest this weekend, in which the global community took to ??the a?rena for an unprecedented 72 hours, determined to paint the town red (and green and pink, etc.) for one last hurrah.

In an event dubbed The Splatocalypse, player??s chose their final teams, standing with Off the Hook's Pearl and Marina in the ultimate battle of Team Chaos vs. Team Order. The scores are in, and the day belongs to the Queen of the World, with Pearl's Team Chaos scoring a huge 3 - 0 victory over Marina's Team Order. Chaos reigns supreme!

But never fear, fans. Although it's early days, it doesn't seem that the event has quite leveled the Splatoon universe as some feared, nor has it harmed the special relationship between our wonderful hosts. In fact, after teasing a break-up of the band, a tearful Marina was consoled by Pearl, who told the octo-gal "Just playing Marina, you know I ??love you."

There's another reason for Marina to smile, as she is the overall splatfest winner. If you take all splatfests from all territories into account, then Marina takes the gong with 43 victories to Pearl's 37. Given that many expected Pearl to be an unsupported character - foolishly I might add - these totals are a close call.

This weekend brings to an end a series of great, intriguing, and occasionally crappy battles on a wide variety of topics, from food habits to movie genres, fashion choices to super powers, and even Ninja Turtles and Hello Kitty characters. For the community, it has been an emotional weekend, and while Splatoon 2 will surely continue as a popular o??nline title for the foreseeable future, the splatfests will be surely missed... at least until we hear some happy?? news of a new title.

Personally, I can't believe this is the last time I'll be reporting on a splatfest, or its results, for some time. It's been tremendous fun seeing the reactions to each topic, both here and elsewhere. And, although I often threw tongue-in-cheek shade at Marina, the fact remains that Off the Hook, as characters, are one of my favourite Nintendo creations, and I can't wait to see what's in store for them, and the franch??ise, in the future.

Until? that time, friends, Don't get cooked, stay Off the Hook.

The final Splatoon 2 splatfest results are in [Twitter]

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One more round...

And so it's come to this. We've battled over toilet roll, movie genres, Aesop's fables, clothing labels, chocolate cookies and even philosophies but, right now, the final Splatoon 2 splatfest is underway.

Currently ongoing in North America, Europe and Japan, players are taking part in The Splatocalypse, a 72-hour online battle which?? tasks the Switch shooter's community to side with hosts Off the Hook for one final round. In a battle as old as time as itself, players must decide between Chaos and Order. Team Chaos is, naturally, being captained by Que?en of the World Pearl, while her altogether more chilled friend Marina is heading up Team Order.

As is the style of the time, the battle will be decided by a public vote, followed by victories in both Normal and Pro mode. With the winner to be declared when the ink dries on July 21. Who will take the crown in this final battle? We won't have to wait much longer to find out. I've reported on the fun-filled,? good-natured warfare of Off the Hook for two years now... and I'm surprisingly touched by this end of an era event.

Whichever side you choose, good ??luck and enjoy the weekend, squid kids.

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'We still haven't thought of the future'

Today, Nintendo's popular online title Splatoon 2 begins its biggest weekend to date. The Chaos vs. Order splatfest - known as the Splatocalypse - will see the global community come together for one final war, siding with hosts Pearl or Marina in what will be Splatoon 2's final splatfest. The end of an era indeed.

Despite the fact that one of the Switch's most-populated multiplayer games is winding down, it appears that work hasn't even started on a possible sequel, or any Splatoon-related titles for that matter. Speaking in an interview with Famitsu, producer Hisashi Nogami stated that although p??layers can still expect balance adjustments going forward, no one should?? be holding their breath for an incoming announcement.

"Splatoon 2’s production started moving right after 1 was released," stated Nogami, in a translation courtesy of Japanese Nintendo. "Now we also had production for Octo Expansion so we're fully focused?? on the updates, and we still haven't thought of the future... We'll think of them after everything is over. We're not yet at a phase where?? we can make a promise, but we'd like to return the favor in some sort of way to many people who have supported us."

Of course, this isn't the de-confirmation of a Splatoon 3, for example, but it reads ?as if Nogami and the rest of the development team aren't waiting in the wings to suddenly drop some huge reveal immediately following the end of this weekend's Splatocalypse.

Splatoon is more than just a multiplayer title. For many players, it is a community, a place to hang out, be themselves and enjoy the company of others,? as evidenced by the jovial conversations known to take place within the Inkopolis Plaza. Given the brand's global popularity - and its merchandising potential - it would be remiss not to attempt to keep the franchise alive. It just seems that the fans may have to wait a little longer for big news than they might've hoped.

The Chaos vs. Order splatfest takes place worldwide from today until July 21. Goo??d luc?k.

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You're a brick now...

Splatoon 2's final "splatfest" is imminent and Nintendo is celebrating it in an interesting manner. The weekend before we say goodbye to Pearl and Marina's monthly competitions, players of Tetris 99 will be able to compete in another "Maximus Cup" and unlock a Splatoon 2 theme for use in the battle royale puzzler. The cup will be running from July 12 until July 16 and you'll need to earn 100?? competition points to unlock the theme.

A few other Nintendo games will be holding promotions for the event, as well. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will have a spirit board event running from July 12 until July 15 with characters from the Splatoon series up for grabs. A photo contest for Team Chaos and Team Order will also be running during that time. Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp is even getting in on the festivities. Shirts based off ??splatfest theme (and that you can buy for real) will be available for? your villagers in-game along with cosmetic items to dress up like inklings.

While I haven't participated in a splatfest for a long while, it's nice to see Nintendo capping off the Splatoon 2 era in a big way. I don't necessarily think a Splatoon 3 is in the works, but Nintendo would be nuts to leave this series on th??e table. In an era where people are complaining about?? Nintendo never creating new IPs, it's nice to see that old Nintendo magic can still produce something really great. Whatever form the sequel eventually takes, I'm sure the wait will be worth it.

"Splatoon 2" Final Festival Held! We also carry ?out various collaboration projects! [Nintendo Japan via Google Translate]

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