User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 484 Ratings

User score distribution:
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  1. Sep 11, 2023
    9
    This is the game which has the most hours played on my Switch, and for good reason: the core gameplay is so fun. After being somewhat let-down with Splatoon 2, this game has not only surpassed its predecessor, but also overcome my nostalgia for the original title and has become my favourite in the series. This is a result of a series of small, but significant changes across the board, fromThis is the game which has the most hours played on my Switch, and for good reason: the core gameplay is so fun. After being somewhat let-down with Splatoon 2, this game has not only surpassed its predecessor, but also overcome my nostalgia for the original title and has become my favourite in the series. This is a result of a series of small, but significant changes across the board, from new movement options in squid roll / squid surge, throwing eggs in Salmon Run, lockers, customisable nametags, being able to do things in the lobby between matches, the list goes on.

    The main thing that holds this back from a 10 is the netcode which is just unacceptable. Not only are disconnects very common (which almost instantly ruins the experience for everyone involved) but the online tick rate is still only 16Hz, lower than the original's from 2015, which leads to a lot of inherent lag. No-one would accept a game playing at 16 fps, so only updating the packets being sent 16 times a second is not good enough. This is even more problematic given the gameplay is much faster now.

    All in all, it's easy to overlook the netcode issues when the gameplay is so fun. Even one year on, the game continues with substantial updates and unique events to keep the game feeling fresh. I just hope that in the future, Nintendo can somehow improve the netcode of this game or a future Splatoon instalment.
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  2. Sep 10, 2023
    10
    Most fun in video games i've had for many years. People complain about many disconnects, but to me it doesn't happen very often. It cancels a game in the beginning of the match if a player was lost, which I think is fair. After all it's only 4v4 and players wont connect mid match (the matches are three minutes)
  3. Sep 9, 2023
    10
    The servers improve over the time and the hero mode is the best of all the franchise except octo expansion.
  4. Aug 29, 2023
    9
    i LOVE this game the multiplayer has its issues but its a Nintendo game and if you have a good internet you will be fine the story mode SLAPS the music ALL OF IT IS GOOD except for two songs and the challenge modes is REALLY FLAWED but its optional the customization in this game is insane and i LOVE IT but some maps are really cramped and i hope they fix it in the future solid 9/10
  5. Aug 29, 2023
    10
    This is my favorite multiplayer game. If the boys are ever really bored and ask what we should play I can say Splatoon 3 and we can have fun for hours.
  6. Aug 6, 2023
    9
    Definitely a better game than Splatoon 2. Much better graphics, and I love that we no longer have to wait on a loading screen for matchmaking, and have this cool little area to play in. The story mode is also much better, with some large, detailed and elaborate areas to explore, and the huge space rocket in the middle of all of the stages is just so daunting, I love it! More weapons, newDefinitely a better game than Splatoon 2. Much better graphics, and I love that we no longer have to wait on a loading screen for matchmaking, and have this cool little area to play in. The story mode is also much better, with some large, detailed and elaborate areas to explore, and the huge space rocket in the middle of all of the stages is just so daunting, I love it! More weapons, new levels, new stages. 9/10, a very high quality experience! Expand
  7. Aug 5, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is the best Splatoon game Ever!. New additions to the game like lockers or extra modes not only splatfest but also Big run and Eggstra work. Salmon run also got the buff of King salmon. Sure the online is sometimes bad but with new Mode challanges is even more fun to play online card game is fun too overall a good game. Would Recommend. Expand
  8. Jul 29, 2023
    8
    Unique gameplay added with an experience fast-pased and chaotic; one of the best team-based-games you could ever experience, however, the game does have some flaws. The game has a big problem with lags and delays on hit registration, making you losing in a fight and feel like the game made you lose, the matchmaking based on weapon combination among players seems unfair, a lot of times it'sUnique gameplay added with an experience fast-pased and chaotic; one of the best team-based-games you could ever experience, however, the game does have some flaws. The game has a big problem with lags and delays on hit registration, making you losing in a fight and feel like the game made you lose, the matchmaking based on weapon combination among players seems unfair, a lot of times it's predictable on which team is going to lose based on their weapon comp, this problem only happens on matches outside from X rank lobbies.

    Conclusion; the game is one of the best fast-pased, team-based-game that provides you with a unique game mechanic combined with a unique ranked system that is fair, which a lot of games struggles with making ranked systems fair, but the game does have flaws that maybe frustrating sometimes but the experience is something that you won't be getting in the current trends among triple A titles, where the quality is far from expectations.
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  9. Jul 12, 2023
    9
    Splatoon has always been my favorite PvP shooter. Nothing can stand up to its pure charm and fun. Now with a third game, the franchise is bigger and better than ever. Expansive weapon selection, deep strategy, and an actually interesting story mode. Love it.
  10. Jul 8, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. i like selmon run , i give up in rank mode , because team are **** by the way , i will still rate the rank system -10/10 , but i like selmon run , but ! sometime when it is time to change map or mode, i will disconect from the game , i am like what the fnck , and rank down the from legend to +3, but still i rarely face it , but when it happend i am going to say , ya fnck today no more splatoon , and go to play other game , so hope randomly disconect by your server just -5 is enough but -20 until rank down is unfair , sometime team is bad too lucky i have friend to help . Expand
  11. Jul 5, 2023
    8
    So far it has added so much, and the story mode is the best it's ever been. The only issues I have are the lack of content, but more is being added every 3 months. The net code could also be improved.
  12. Jul 4, 2023
    8
    While the game for the most part is very fun. There are still some problems with the game like Crab Tank, Tenta Missiles, the tetris piece shaped new stages, the disconnects and the terribly scheduled challenges window. These are not enough to make it a bad game, at least in my experience. Also, I love TableTurf Battles.
  13. Jun 26, 2023
    8
    I have played only one game of Splatoon in my entire life - At summer HDCC 2023 at the Nintendo stand on the podium.

    Lost 54%-29% but was alright.

    You just squirt everywhere.
  14. Jun 26, 2023
    9
    El juego mejora lo que el anterior no pudo mejorar, además de añadir toneladas de contenido tiene algunos Bugs pero nada que un parche un pueda solucionar
  15. Jun 22, 2023
    8
    Fun game! It was fun to play turf war and salmon run. The story mode is good too.
  16. Jun 22, 2023
    8
    best **** game of all time. i will admit some of the aspects are very weird and interesting to use, but overall one of the best games. there are quite a bit of online disconnects but its better than Mario Kart online. reminds me of nicki minaj
  17. Jun 16, 2023
    10
    I am a newbie who played Splatoon for the first time in this series. I bought it on September 7th. Maps have been improved and various weapons have been added compared to the initial release. The balance feels fair. Splatoon is the most fun pvp game I've ever played. Because I like a battle of strategy more than a match of "Grinding" with an opponent. If there's anything more you want,I am a newbie who played Splatoon for the first time in this series. I bought it on September 7th. Maps have been improved and various weapons have been added compared to the initial release. The balance feels fair. Splatoon is the most fun pvp game I've ever played. Because I like a battle of strategy more than a match of "Grinding" with an opponent. If there's anything more you want, it's a cute water gun fight sound and an AI bot for practice. Finally, I'm waiting for the dlc as well. :p
    (This review was written using a translator and sentences can be awkward.)
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  18. Jun 7, 2023
    8
    Greatly improves on Splatoon 2. Bigger maps, better weapons, faster movement. Much improved campaign that tries some new things and plays out as more of a story than the tack on campaign in S2. Salmon Run always available. Really like the banners, emotes, etc. that gives you reason to keep advancing in multiplayer.
  19. May 16, 2023
    9
    Jogo muito divertido. Possui conteudo para todos os tipos de jogadores. Porém tive problemas de conexão ao jogar partidas online que diminuiram muito de frenquencia com atualizações.
  20. May 15, 2023
    9
    While not flawless, the sequel is a better experience than the previous installment, other than the map design
  21. May 14, 2023
    9
    if you're complaining about the grind, you're playing the wrong game. this is an online multiplayer shooter, and the best one. the only one in recent times with a good story, as well.
  22. May 12, 2023
    10
    One of the best Nintendo Switch games it's fun and doesn't feel incomplete plus it gets updates every few months
  23. May 7, 2023
    8
    The existence of this game is questionable. Multiplayer is somewhat stable. They learned from the Octo-Expansion and made the campaign better but its still not as good as the DLC. Don‘t really like the new weapon types and i find the way you get new weapons too complicated. The coin system was better.
  24. May 6, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Multiplayer is really good and big run is underated Single Player is good for newbies and the splatfests are creative Expand
  25. May 6, 2023
    10
    Easily the best game i have ever played, its a shame the multiplayer is paid but its still a great experience. if u experience internet issues, its not the game's fault, its most likely yours, since most of the problems i had during drizzle season seem to be fixed
  26. May 2, 2023
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. First off, the single player campaign is really fun. I finished all levels in all areas but did not 100% all collectables. The overall story is very engaging and makes you want to finish the game. I also like the exploration in the hub world and the variety of stages present. It overall resembles octo expansion from splatoon 2 but with a way better hub world. Final boss/sequence is not as fun tho.

    Secondly, the multiplayer. The game just feels better in every single way compared to its predecessors. the new lobby system is awesome and all the additional customization is great. Due to heavy server load, i got a lot of communication errors but i expect those to get resolved as time goes on.

    Last but not least, salmon run. The mode has evolved with many new bosses and new maps as well as new special waves, including the boss salmonid wave. Salmon run feels very fresh with the new weapons and bosses added as well as the new Xtrawave which spices up gameplay drastically.

    Overall, this game is a true sequel that is sure to give you a lot of fun for many hours.
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  27. Apr 23, 2023
    9
    Love Nintendo approach to games and love how they made combat design for this game. I didn't play the previous two games, but this gave me lots of fun. There are some issues with UX, but the game has a powerful core.
  28. Mar 21, 2023
    9
    I LOVE this game! I've been A fan since the first game, The first game was a broken game with kraken and bubbler, 2 was just missiles and booyah bomb, but 3 is ALMOST perfect, crab should be fixed by about the end of march but beside the annoying meta the competition and game is AMAZING! also the graphics are SUCH and upgrade. 9/10 recommend!
  29. Mar 20, 2023
    10
    definitely my favourite ip of nintendo’s, seeing the franchise grow and improve from the first game has been amazing. this game has something for everyone, with several game modes including both pvp and pve. the only downside is the connectivity issues and frequent disconnects, but n’s online service isn’t that great with most games
  30. Mar 16, 2023
    9
    Splatoon 3 is a amazing follow-up to Splatoon 2, and you can see it in the tutorial alone. The graphics and controls are a step-up, and the Splatfests are a blast! Customizing your locker and avatar is also a nice way to pass time.
    Online play is really good, and is a good use of Nintendo Online's pretty crappy service!
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 115 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. 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. 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.
  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]