Splatoon
NINTENDO-EXCLUSIVE 3RD-PERSON SHOOTER (2015+) with a unique COVER-THE-MOST-GROUND-WITH-INK objective. Play as INKLINGS (or Octolings in Splatoon 2+) who shoot colored ink to cover territory + defeat opponents. 4v4 matches; multiple modes (Turf War, Splat Zones, Tower Control, Rainmaker, Clam Blitz). Splatoon 3 (2022) has huge tournament scene + Splatoon Championship Series. 40+ million total series sales on Switch. Nintendo's competitive shooter — family-friendly design without violence.
Quick facts
Category
Esports
Type
Team sport
Players
4–8
Duration
~10 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇯🇵 Japan
Estimated origin
2015 Splatoon (Wii U); 2017 Splatoon 2 (Switch); 2022 Splatoon 3 (Switch)
Olympic
No
Popularity
major
How it works
Objective
Cover most ground with your team's ink color (Turf War) or complete secondary objectives (ranked modes).
Rules
Basic rules
4v4 matches on interactive maps rotating daily
MOBA-like team play.
Shoot colored ink to cover ground + take out opponents
Signature ink mechanic.
Swim through your own team's ink for speed + healing
Signature movement.
5+ weapon categories (Shooter, Blaster, Splatling, Charger, Roller, Slosher, Splatana, Dualies, Brella)
Weapon variety.
Ranked modes: Splat Zones (control), Tower Control (escort), Rainmaker (VIP), Clam Blitz (goal)
Multiple objectives.
Salmon Run: 4-player coop wave-defense against salmonids
Signature PvE mode.
Scoring
Ranked ladder (X Rank being top) + tournament format (Splatoon Championship Series).
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Turf War: most % ground covered | Standard game mode |
| X Rank (top competitive ladder) | Elite ranking |
| Splatoon Championship Series | Global tournament circuit + $1M prize pool |
Win condition · Cover most turf or complete objective.
Equipment
Nintendo Switch + Switch OLED (Splatoon 3 primary)
Nintendo exclusive platform
Joy-Con or Pro Controller (gyro aim recommended)
Signature gyro controls
Optional Nintendo Switch Online subscription
Required for online play
Terminology
- Inkling
- Playable species — humanoid squids.
- Octoling
- Playable species — humanoid octopuses (unlocked/story).
- Turf War
- Standard mode — cover most ground with team's ink.
- Splat
- Defeat an opponent.
- Super Jump
- Fast-travel to teammate location.
- Splashdown/Ink Storm/Killer Wail 5.1
- Special weapons unlocked via ink coverage.
- X Rank
- Top competitive ranking above S+.
Major competitions
Splatoon Championship Series (Splatoon 3)
annual · Global (regional + world finals) · since 2022
Splatoon 2 World Championships
annual (2018-2021) · Global · since 2018
Nintendo Live in-person events
annual · Various · since 2019
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Nintendo (developer + publisher + tournament organizer)
Founded 1889 · Kyoto, Japan
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Team Squids (major USA team)
- Kraken Paradise, FTWin (major USA teams)
- Team Japan (dominant in world tournaments)
- Splatoon Championship Series winners
Frequently asked
Why is Splatoon Nintendo's competitive shooter?+
Nintendo NEEDED a first-party competitive shooter (Call of Duty + Fortnite were dominating). Splatoon (2015) reinvented the shooter genre with FAMILY-FRIENDLY colorful ink + TERRITORY CONTROL as primary objective (not just kills). Signature GYRO AIM controls (motion-sensing Joy-Con), unique swim-in-ink mobility, + 4v4 team-based design. Splatoon 3 has developed a serious competitive scene with $1M+ prize pool tournaments while maintaining Nintendo's family-friendly image.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Splatoon— Wikipedia