Splatoon 3

 Switch
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 484 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 310 out of 484
  2. Mixed: 56 out of 484
  3. Negative: 118 out of 484
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  1. FxGSpartan
    Aug 25, 2023
    0
    I love Splatoon, I have almost 1000 hours on Splatoon 3 alone, X Rank, over level 100. This is not coming from someone who hates the game, in fact I give the franchise an 8/10, with untapped potential being the only thing keeping it from 10/10. However, this entry in the series receives an automatic zero for issues so atrocious that all players are entitled legal compensation for theI love Splatoon, I have almost 1000 hours on Splatoon 3 alone, X Rank, over level 100. This is not coming from someone who hates the game, in fact I give the franchise an 8/10, with untapped potential being the only thing keeping it from 10/10. However, this entry in the series receives an automatic zero for issues so atrocious that all players are entitled legal compensation for the emotional damage caused by this game's netcode and matchmaking so bad and so biased it should be illegal. This game is the reason we need legal regulation for netcode, game rulesets, and matchmaking. I should be sitting in the plaintiff's seat in a class action lawsuit, but as our legal system is too corrupt, this is all I can do.… Expand
  2. littlefox777
    Jun 28, 2023
    1
    Splatoon 3 is so bad that you can't believe it's a game made by Nintendo. The network conditions, map design, weapon design, and matchmaking mechanics are completely short of the level of a sellable game, and the garbage makes people wonder if this is a commercial fraud. Almost all players are scolding Nintendo, but Nintendo actually feels that its game is doing well. I can assert thatSplatoon 3 is so bad that you can't believe it's a game made by Nintendo. The network conditions, map design, weapon design, and matchmaking mechanics are completely short of the level of a sellable game, and the garbage makes people wonder if this is a commercial fraud. Almost all players are scolding Nintendo, but Nintendo actually feels that its game is doing well. I can assert that this IP has basically died here in the 3rd, and it is estimated that it will not be able to fool any players in the next game.… Expand
  3. Splat3NetSucks
    Jun 17, 2023
    0
    Finally I deleted it and went back to splat2 after almost 600 hrs splat3 game play. Network still very bad, how could Nintendo developed such a terrible game?
  4. Zync_Mallico
    Jun 1, 2023
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Splatoon 3 is by far the worst game ever to exist in the series, its even worse than 2. The connection errors are absolutely absurd, the maps are terrible, no action has been taken to fix common issues, the matchmaking is ass, the bosses in the story mode suck and are easy to beat, they never explained where octavio went after the events of 3’s story mode, and the game is poorly managed. The new people working on this game clearly do not know what they are doing, they are uneducated bagpipes who make the game a living hell. I’m sick and tired of this **** catalog “battle pass” **** with each season the game gets w o r s e . It gets worse to the point where it can make a Splatoon veteran physically cry, this game is a slap in the face to Splatoon veterans and should have never existed untill it was actually done. Nobody asked for this half-baked **** the splatfests have no more magic, the idols are hideous, bland, and the worst ever to exist. This game will never top the amount of magic the previous two games had, ya’ll are better off playing Splatoon 1 or 2 at this point. Also, the expansion pass is not worth the money, wave 1 is just a reskin of inkopolis and there were no changes to its lobbies at all, they are literally the same as the splatsville lobby’s and the squid sisters do not do the news when your in inkopolis either. Its always the hideous deep-cut trio doing it, nintendo had good ideas and literally threw them away. The way nintendo is handling this game is only gonna have them loose their player count and fans trust, shameful coming from a $60 game [DO NOT BUY THIS] it will be a waste I garantee it.… Expand
  5. KennethP1
    May 27, 2023
    0
    the matching making of this game is a joke, it ruins the game and eventually it's a piece of crap
  6. Lyn066
    May 2, 2023
    0
    Communication errors, bad map design and terrible matching system ruined all the fun. Only the story mode is worth playing.
  7. ChaosProGamer
    May 17, 2023
    0
    Worst game ive EVER played!!! Every agonizing second ive spent playing this game i felt as if my skin was melting from my bones in the most painful way possible!!!! Only buy if you are looking to waste your money or if you love torturing yourself!!!
  8. HazeAbysmal
    May 12, 2023
    0
    Splatoon 3 is a very unpolished mess of a game. The online is terrible, there are too many communication errors. The maps are awful, the updates are underwhelming at best. I'm disappointed.
  9. XEclipse360
    Dec 23, 2022
    3
    This game can be fun at times, but 90% of the time is just me being annoyed and mad at the game. This game has horibble matchmaking, connection errors, lag, horrible maps, and bad rotations. Also, each anarchy mode needs their own rank. Salmon run also has gotten worse, the maps are also garbage, there are too many enemies are spawning that it causes thr game to lag, the rotation is notThis game can be fun at times, but 90% of the time is just me being annoyed and mad at the game. This game has horibble matchmaking, connection errors, lag, horrible maps, and bad rotations. Also, each anarchy mode needs their own rank. Salmon run also has gotten worse, the maps are also garbage, there are too many enemies are spawning that it causes thr game to lag, the rotation is not good, and the cohozuna has way too much health, making it really difficult to kill with some weapons. The rewards you get for killing the boss salmonds is barely anything. You prices of the salmond run stuff is way too high. You need to grind this game for hours to be able to buy them. This is one of the worst games ive ever played.… Expand
  10. Dalek_Thal
    May 1, 2023
    2
    Not a great game. Nintendo made a fatal mistake in Splatoon 3 - its map design removes flanking routes, and replaces them with chokepoints. The problem with this is it forces players into tight corridors where combat is the only option. Whilst it might appear to be a 'serious' shooter as a result, what we have instead is a poorly thought-out mess where you get killed constantly inNot a great game. Nintendo made a fatal mistake in Splatoon 3 - its map design removes flanking routes, and replaces them with chokepoints. The problem with this is it forces players into tight corridors where combat is the only option. Whilst it might appear to be a 'serious' shooter as a result, what we have instead is a poorly thought-out mess where you get killed constantly in all-out-brawls. But even this would be okay if matchmaking was worth a damn. As things stand, the game matches players together not based on skill, but instead on whether it'll make a game happen quickly. As a result, matches are dominated by endgame players whom spawncamp, bully and win almost every match. This environment creates toxicity, which can be easily seen by the "git gud" attidude exhibited by a reasonably-sized portion of its community. The game itself makes itself quite opaque and difficult to learn, and the matchmaking makes learning a near-impossibility. There is no world where this situation is a good thing. I hope deeply Nintendo fixes this game's matchmaking, but as it stands this game is not welcoming to the average player. Splatoon used to be a series where no matter how skilled you were, your contributions to the team mattered. That is no longer true. Do not purchase.… Expand
  11. OrangeProot
    Apr 13, 2023
    4
    Its really sad that my favorite shooter had god awful internet connectivity. Nintendo really needs to step away from peer to peer and use servers for everything, especially so everyone doesn't disconnect in the last 30 seconds and have all that hard work go to trash. I can't believe I'm considering taking a break from this game just cause the online sucks so much that its practically unplayable.
  12. Nobodynowhere
    Apr 10, 2023
    0
    本來很喜歡的
    但網絡太差了，這種情況下還要執行掉線扣分的機制非常惡心，打工能因為斷線從傳說掉到達人1 0，網絡維護這麼多次就像扯淡，武器不平衡、地圖設計也垃圾，除了新加的一丁點很快就能膩的內容以外，基本全方面不如splatoon2
  13. Evil_teacher
    Mar 27, 2023
    0
    You know what’s worse than a bad game? A great game that is unplayable. With Splatoon 3, we have one of the must fun multiplayer games ever made, with the catch being that you can’t play it. These bitter comments are of course directed at the game’s connection errors. The issues have only gotten worse with patch updates. It is now at the point where the game is utterly unplayable. But it’sYou know what’s worse than a bad game? A great game that is unplayable. With Splatoon 3, we have one of the must fun multiplayer games ever made, with the catch being that you can’t play it. These bitter comments are of course directed at the game’s connection errors. The issues have only gotten worse with patch updates. It is now at the point where the game is utterly unplayable. But it’s Splatoon. It’s addictive. You’re going to try again, and again, only to be met with communications errors every single time you try to enjoy a play session. It’s tragic, really.… Expand
  14. Toothbrush04
    Mar 21, 2023
    2
    I wish I could rate this game higher, I really do. But I'm done giving Nintendo another chance. Maybe in the future I'll come back and give it a better score, but right now, this game is just garbage and the devs aren't doing anything about it. First, let's start off with one of the biggest problems we have with this game, and that is the netcode. It's awful. It can be super difficult toI wish I could rate this game higher, I really do. But I'm done giving Nintendo another chance. Maybe in the future I'll come back and give it a better score, but right now, this game is just garbage and the devs aren't doing anything about it. First, let's start off with one of the biggest problems we have with this game, and that is the netcode. It's awful. It can be super difficult to get into a game, or sometimes even finish a match because of communication errors. The lag the netcode causes can be absolutely insane too.

    Next is matchmaking. The matchmaking makes the game so unwelcoming for new players. It doesn't care what level you are, it'll match you with players 100x more skilled than you. The matchmaking forces you into losing streaks to 50/50 your WL ratio and this is one of the biggest factors to this game being unfun.

    Next is the maps. The maps are bland, boring, poorly made hallways and tetris S shapes, I'm so sick of it and so is everyone else. These maps have zero flanks, no gimmicks to make the map interesting, barely any inkable walls, which ties into me saying none of these maps encourage the use of the new squid roll and surge mechanics, except for maybe Flounder Heights. This game is updated at a snails pace. The game gets updated every 3 months with new content, which 95% of it is reused content from Splatoon 2. Most of the new gear is locked behind a FOMO system called the catalog, and if you don't get it by the time the season ends, they'll throw it into the gacha machine with a super broken rewards system. There hasn't been a truly new weapon since launch. I know we've had some new takes on existing classes like the Splattershot Nova and Snipewriter, but as for the new classes, there's just the base kits, and there's only 4 of them. Nintendo shows no acknowledgement towards the stringer and splatana classes while they import all the shooters and chargers from previous games. Splatfests, which are in-game events that have been a loved tradition since the first game has been messed up. Splatfest matches are unbalanced as hell, the past few fests have been EXTREMELY one sided, the new Tricolor turf war, while in my opinion it's fun, it's a really half baked mode that most people don't enjoy. They feel pointless, and you'll most likely find yourself grinding to Ruler and then not touch the game until after the fest. Last thing I'll touch up on is the bugs and balancing. This game is so unbalanced it's not even funny. One of the weapons have been dominating the meta since launch and the devs refuse to listen. Same goes for the bugs, you gotta wait until the mid season patch or the next season update for them to patch the biggest bugs. All I can think of positively is the music is cool, story mode is fine and that's really it.

    I'm done giving Nintendo another chance at making this game better, it's clear the devs don't care about this game or the players. I've been a splatoon fan since 2018 and been playing 3 since launch. But my love for this series is being brutally killed.    … Expand
  15. alexbrior24
    Mar 2, 2023
    0
    Unbalanced mess with too many annoying weapons and no stage variety. Do better, Nintendo.
  16. CyberPhoenix1
    Feb 28, 2023
    4
    Splatoon 3 is a game where the only good is in the side content. The campaign, Salmon Run, and Table Turf are all good but the actual main game falls flat due to poor balancing, maps, and Nintendo Switch Online.
  17. maninhouse
    Feb 14, 2023
    0
    while entertaining, it does have flaws, as all things have, you cant do much without nintendo online, but the story mode has great plot
  18. maldor
    Feb 13, 2023
    0
    Nintendo is still terrible at net-code. It is fine until the higher levels, and then you can't play because everyone is lagging and not taking damage. Splatoon 2 had this problem too.

    Edit: Just wanted to add that you need to win 3 games to rank up, but the game disconnects constantly and counts it as a loss, even if you're in the lead. I can't rank up because of this. Edit 2:    Nintendo is still terrible at net-code. It is fine until the higher levels, and then you can't play because everyone is lagging and not taking damage. Splatoon 2 had this problem too.

    Edit: Just wanted to add that you need to win 3 games to rank up, but the game disconnects constantly and counts it as a loss, even if you're in the lead. I can't rank up because of this.

    Edit 2: Updating my review to say this game is still bad. The matchmaking is bad. The lag is bad. It is all bad. Do not pay for this game.

    Edit: It happened again. This game sucks.    … Expand
  19. myversitee
    Feb 11, 2023
    1
    Another experience review from someone with a rather casual skill level, that hoped a suitable for 6-year-olds colorful shooting game from Nintendo could be different from all gatekeeping hardcore shooters like CS:GO and alike ...

    I just rage-quit it the 20th time. No, not during a session, I am not that kind of impolite person. I am over 40 and do not have eagle-like hand-eye    Another experience review from someone with a rather casual skill level, that hoped a suitable for 6-year-olds colorful shooting game from Nintendo could be different from all gatekeeping hardcore shooters like CS:GO and alike ...

    I just rage-quit it the 20th time. No, not during a session, I am not that kind of impolite person.

    I am over 40 and do not have eagle-like hand-eye coordination. And I enjoy FPS games, but am not particularly good at them. For people like me, coming into the game fresh is a complete desaster. Sure I can play the single player for a couple of hours, but hopping into online sessions is the core aspect of the game. And there ARE levels, which you have to climb up to get better weapons and armor, so it is needless to say that playing against much higher level players is unfair from a pure technical point, adding up the experience and skills people have from playing competitive shooters for years and maybe even have a more "gifted" advantage. I would never dare to suggest excluding highly-skilled competitive players with a very serious approach from the game, but hell, there must be some kind of safe space for noobs and casuals.

    Sure, there is supposed to be "matchmaking" AI to put you into sessions with equally skilled players, but tbo ... it sucks and feels non-existent. Nintendo could also just say there is matchmaking in their proprietary code and there actually isn't, and it would be the same outcome.

    Has a family-friendly, all-including company like Nintendo never ever considered a "league" system, like we have in many real life sports? A C-league for the kids, mommies and daddies and alike to just enjoy a sport locally in a team against other small villages? A B-league for the more ambitious to be picked out of C-league when you show talent and would be under-challenged in C? And the major A league for the pros and hard achievers?

    No, they didn't. So, in conclusion, the game is being taken over by elitists who gate-keep the whole game. It has become completely inaccessible for kids, casuals and therefore 80% of Nintendo's customers. Good job. Not.

    God, i'm just so furious right now. If the game hadn't been expensive, I would have filmed myself burning the cartridge and posted it everywhere as a meme.

    Gaming is more popular and profitable than ever, but the publishers, even Nintendo, haven't changed their mindsets how to make games FOR that new audience. Guess I have to play Animal Crossing for the rest of my life.    … Expand
  20. thrackerzod
    Feb 1, 2023
    4
    As a follow up to Splatoon 2 - on the same console no less; Splatoon 3 is able to use the foundation of the previous two games to make something even better. And it fails to do so.

    Two of the biggest gripes has to do with the multiplayer. Matchmaking on turf war/ranked is horrible, as someone who has a horrible win:loss ratio I still am being put against players who are extremely high    As a follow up to Splatoon 2 - on the same console no less; Splatoon 3 is able to use the foundation of the previous two games to make something even better. And it fails to do so.

    Two of the biggest gripes has to do with the multiplayer. Matchmaking on turf war/ranked is horrible, as someone who has a horrible win:loss ratio I still am being put against players who are extremely high level and are just sweeping the whole lobby. Another issue is the servers are significantly worse, as connection errors are extremely common. Neither of these were particular issues in Splatoon 2, so it seems that Nintendo really cut corners on this one trying to get this product out quickly so it has more shelf life before the next console.

    Another huge issue is the decision to make the maps as flat and small as possible. For a game that steers hard towards a competitive base, map design is just sort of out the window here. There often is no way to flank the enemy, or if you can, it's extremely risky and easily punishable. This leads to one of two situations; your team or the enemy team spawn camps the entire game, or it's a stalemate in the center the entire time with only the last 45-60 seconds making a significant difference.

    The singleplayer while not living up to Octo Expansion, is a great addition as well and works off of its success. This makes me actually look forward to the paid DLC they announced, as they seem to be consistent with level design on the singleplayer side.

    Salmon Run is an upgrade and some ways, however some of the maps feel like a downgrade. As someone who primarily plays Salmon Run this continues to be extremely enjoyable, although the giant salmonid boss you have to fight is very frustrating. Solo lobby queuing is another nightmare on its own.

    Splatoon 3 fails at a lot that Splatoon 2 soared with, which is disappointing to see and I hope Nintendo takes a lot of this sort of criticism spread through the internet to heart and make better outings to the franchise next time. Any fan of Splatoon 2 should check this out as well. Anyone looking to get into Splatoon should go play the 2nd game instead.    … Expand
  21. Mogmog000
    Jan 24, 2023
    1
    No interesting new elements. New characters are not attractive.
    Story mode is too difficult.
    Not enough stages to choose from in a basic match.
    Costume design is poor.
  22. MihAlves
    Jan 18, 2023
    0
    Simplesmente é uma DLC do Splatoon 2, isso é lamentável ! Uma pena que a Nintendo só pena em dinheiro desde o lançamento do Nintendo Switch.
  23. 2015exe
    Jan 14, 2023
    3
    I may have JUST started with the game, but I already see several issues. First of all, the motion controls make me sick to my stomach. In fact, they're just as needed as that one song in The Polar Express. The motion controls are pointless, unnecessary, and just don't look good. Second, the first weapon I get, the Splattershot Jr., is a piss-poor way to start. It's aim is always off, so II may have JUST started with the game, but I already see several issues. First of all, the motion controls make me sick to my stomach. In fact, they're just as needed as that one song in The Polar Express. The motion controls are pointless, unnecessary, and just don't look good. Second, the first weapon I get, the Splattershot Jr., is a piss-poor way to start. It's aim is always off, so I always have to get really close to something if I want to shoot it. Hell, the aiming in general is bad here. Finally, and this is the biggest issue, I need Online for EVERYTHING, even buying clothes. If anything, this game should've had an Offline option to it, but no. Not even Ninjala has this garbage issue, especially since I've heard that Splatoon's connections are **** Yes. Ninjala, as bad as it is, is at least TRYING to get better every season, as most games should. That alone is an embarrassment to Splatoon. Nintendo should've delayed this game while they still could, because this is unacceptable.… Expand
  24. Zologongolo
    Jan 8, 2023
    1
    To much connection errors, every day milion times. Waste of money, Don’t buy it.
  25. ski_ball
    Jan 7, 2023
    0
    Critically broken online play due to bad connectivity and and matchmaking. Matches are rarely balanced, and almost half end due to connection problems of one or more of the players. These issues render the game virtually unplayable.
  26. tomamazing
    Jan 6, 2023
    1
    The perfect demonstration of godawful network performance and worthless matchmaking. It might actually be fun if it wasn't endlessly infuriating.
  27. raphaelbrasil
    Dec 30, 2022
    0
    It gets to be revolting such an expensive game with so many connection problems. The game was not ready to be released and is basically a copy of its predecessor.
  28. autphickez
    Dec 8, 2022
    0
    The game is not worth playing at all with so many connection issue.
    What a shame for a Nintendo game series developed for almost a decade.
  29. dewittgeology
    Nov 29, 2022
    0
    Amazing hit. Nintendo really doesn't do online well, but Splatoon 3 has been a huge step for them as a company. The ability to smoothly squad up with your friends and details like lockers, practice range while matchmaking, and seeing ghosts of your friends make this such a great experience. All of the Nintendo charm with none of the Nintendo disappointment. No mixed feeling about his gameAmazing hit. Nintendo really doesn't do online well, but Splatoon 3 has been a huge step for them as a company. The ability to smoothly squad up with your friends and details like lockers, practice range while matchmaking, and seeing ghosts of your friends make this such a great experience. All of the Nintendo charm with none of the Nintendo disappointment. No mixed feeling about his game and I haven't felt this strongly positive about a Nintendo game since Breath of the Wild.

    Amazing community, creative weapons and mechanics, and squids living their best lives.    … Expand
  30. KrillerBomb
    Nov 25, 2022
    0
    One of the very worst games to have ever graced this horrid Earth. Do not get it. It is beyond overrated and does nothing to improve the series or its gameplay, it's the same old shtick again, and somehow it sells like hot cakes...
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Awards & Rankings

35
#35 Best Switch Game of 2022
8
#8 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2022

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 115 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 107 out of 115
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 115
  3. Negative: 0 out of 115
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jan 24, 2024
    80
    It's still a mix of platformer and shooter, but some missions are focused on combat, figuring out ways to advance, surviving in a diabolical arena, painting giant statues, sneaking around, finding keys, and even using your weird sidekick to activate and deactivate various mechanisms. [Issue#324]
  2. Starbit
    Nov 23, 2022
    90
    Splatoon 3 takes everything the previous games did and makes it better in pretty much every conceivable way. More fluid, more dynamic, with a more balanced gameplay and a very welcome enlarged one-player dimension, Splatoon 3 is all that could be expected from the third chapter in the series, where the improvements fit neatly with the Splatoon legacy.
    Read full review
  3. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Nov 9, 2022
    90
    Splatoon 3 went live in September, and ever since it launched I've had to will myself to stay away from it. I'm a grown man with a family! I've got a lot of responsibilities! So why do I keep feeling compelled to stay up into the wee hours of the morning shooting virtual ink at strangers? [Issue #62 – November/December 2022, p. 74]
See all critic reviews »