Splatoon 3 Nintendo Direct: All the announcements and new features

splatoon 3 will bring a wealth of new content – in the form of new weapons, stages, combat techniques, fashion accessories and even a tabletop trading card game – when the sequel launches on Nintendo Switch this September.

On Wednesday, Nintendo offered an in-depth look at the world of in a new Nintendo Direct presentation turn 3, detailing what’s coming at launch and what’s expected in the next two years of post-launch content. Here’s a rundown of everything new and confirmed turn 3 from this Nintendo Direct.

New Weapons

All of the previous weapon types from previous Splatoon games will return for Splatoon 3, but there are at least two new additions: the bow-like Tri-Stinger, which fires a spread color burst and can be charged for a powerful shot, and the Splatana Wiper, a windshield wiper -like sword that emits waves of ink. It can also be charged for a powerful blow.

There are also new special weapons that can be earned mid-fight. These include the Tacticooler, a refrigerator full of stat booster drinks; the Wave Breaker, a sonic emitter that deals damage in a circular wave; and the Reefslider, a shark-shaped float that explodes and squirts ink everywhere. Tenta Missiles, Inkjet, Ink Storm, Ultra Stamp, and Booyah Bomb from previous games also return.

New levels

It wouldn’t be a competitive multiplayer game without new places to fight, and turn 3 will add a variety of new locations to the series: Scorch Gorge, Eeltail Alley, Mincemeat Metalworks, and Undertow Spillway. It also brings back stages from previous games including Museum d’Alfonsino, Hammerhead Bridge and Mahi-Mahi Resort. Nintendo promises 12 phases at launch, with more coming in free post-launch updates.

adjustment

The fashionable Inklings and Octolings of the Splatlands have many fresh styles to dress up in turn 3. Retailers like Naut Couture, run by laid-back Nautilus Gnarly Eddy, a laid-back Nautilus, sell hats, masks and glasses; Man o’ Wardrober, run by Jel la Fleur, sells tops, t-shirts and jackets; and Mr. Coco’s Crush Station puts you in new shoes, sandals or mules. All of this gear comes with perks, but a guy named Murch lets you trade perks in and out for gear.

Players can also customize their win emotes, splashtag (a nametag with backgrounds, titles, and badges), and an in-game locker visible to other players online. Retailer Hotlantis will be selling customization items, and new catalogs of stuff will be added to the game every few months.

Tabletturf Battle, a trading card game

This card-based fighting game can be played turn 3The lobby. There are 150 cards to collect turn 3, and players will build a deck to battle against others. Each player gets a starter deck in the game.=

Free and “large scale” paid DLCs

Nintendo promises at least two years of post-launch support for Splatoon 3 with new gear, new weapons, new maps, and other additions. Nintendo also plans to add X Battle and League Battle modes in future updates. X Battle is unlocked after reaching an extremely high rank turn 3‘s Anarchy Battle – a competitive ranked mode – and League Battle pit players against each other in teams every two hours based on their Anarchy Battle results.

Splatfest is back

The Splatfest multiplayer events hosted by the Deep Cut trio of Frye, Shiver and Big Man return, but with a three-team, three-themed twist. The first will see Team Rock, Team Paper, and Team Scissors go head-to-head on August 27th.

Salmon Run returns…bigger than before

Splatoon’s version of Horde mode, Salmon Run lets four players team up to collect Power Eggs from enemies called Salmonids. Salmon Run will be available at all times in Splatoon 3, and players will now face off against boss Salmonids, including the new Slammin’ Lid and the Big Shot. Even bigger is Cohozuna, a new “King Salmonid Super Giant Salmonid”.