Nintendo is one of my favorite developers for multiplayer games, something that many fans share. I can still remember the late-night matches, the friendly rivalries, and the way their multiplayer titles turned simple get-togethers into unforgettable events. Some of my best multiplayer memories come from Mario Kart, Mario Party, and Super Smash Bros. But as great as these games and experiences are, I can’t help but shake the feeling that their best one hasn’t even arrived yet. A title has long been rumored for the Nintendo Switch 2, and if it lives up to its promise, it could outshine everything that came before it.
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What excites me most about a potential Splatoon 4 is how the series has grown with every entry. From the Wii U to the Nintendo Switch, every Splatoon game has found a way to feel fresh without losing the spark of the series, even when adding new modes. If Splatoon 4 continues this tradition while taking advantage of everything the Nintendo Switch 2 offers, it could be Nintendo’s best multiplayer yet.
Why Splatoon Has Always Stood Out Among Nintendo’s Franchises
What made Splatoon so memorable was how unexpected and unique it was. Nintendo went against the norm for shooters and made the genre its own. Instead of gritty realism, it went with a more childlike and colorful approach. Bright colors, playful energy, and a premise of territory control were unlike anything else in the genre. To top it off, Splatoon launched with a silly “You’re a kid, you’re a squid” slogan that still makes me grin to this day.
Nintendo’s approach broke new ground for shooters while staying true to its identity. For casual players, the vivid aesthetics and lack of focus on eliminations were innovative and appealed to a broader audience. Fighting the enemy team wasn’t as important as it was in other shooters, allowing those with less skills to still aid their team. But this isn’t to say the series doesn’t appeal to competitive players. Splatoon tournaments are some of the most intense in gaming, as players have to focus on enemy location and ground cover.
The second expanded on these aspects while also adding fresh experiences. Salmon Run has become a fan-favorite game mode, and Splatoon 3 did similarly with TableTurf Battle. Each game continues to grow, and this is incredibly promising for Splatoon 4.
Why Splatoon 4 Could Redefine Nintendo Multiplayer
The most appealing aspect of Splatoon 4 for me is the hope that Nintendo will finally invest in online. There is no doubt, with perhaps the exception of Super Smash Bros., that the Splatoon series is Nintendo’s strongest online game. With proper infrastructure and more accessible features, Splatoon 4 could pave the way for all online Nintendo games.
A part of this is the Nintendo Switch 2. Its greater hardware and technical capabilities could finally mark Nintendo’s online era. Other developers have long since mastered online games, but Nintendo has been playing catch-up. Splatoon 3’s online is some of the best Nintendo has, but even it needs better servers and other quality-of-life features. A Switch 2 entry in the series could deliver on these more.
Larger-scale matches, new team formats, and new game modes could be added. An online hub would be a wonderful addition as well, and would embrace the ever-growing community. These would allow the Splatoon series to take advantage of its service-like experience, one that evolves over time with frequent updates, events, and seasonal content.
A Campaign That Shines Through Co-Op
However, one area where the series has always lagged is the campaign. Splatoon and Splatoon 2’s campaigns felt largely like tutorials, and while Splatoon 3 was a step in the right direction, it wasn’t enough. The world is so interesting and unique that it is a shame players don’t get to see more of it. I want more of it, and I want Nintendo to add co-op to it.
Cooperative play is something Nintendo has always excelled in. Splatoon’s gameplay is so enjoyable, it’s a shame we’ve never been able to experience it in local co-op. It could also push Nintendo, forcing them to make the campaign the best it can be by putting in the effort and attention it has always deserved rather than the tutorial feel it has had.
While the series has come a long way in less than a decade, it is this feature that will make it feel complete. Splatoon 3 already has a commanding multiplayer presence. It just needs to bring this experience to its story mode and lean more into the world’s narrative. The Inklings and Octolings already have the fanbase hooked, and Nintendo could show more complexity with Splatoon 4.
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image courtesy of 20th Century Studios
