Splatoon (universe)
Developer(s)	Nintendo
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Genre(s)	Third-person shooter
Console/platform of origin	Wii U
First installment	Splatoon (2015)
Latest installment	Splatoon 3 (2022)
Article on Inkipedia	Splatoon (universe)

TheSplatoon universe (スプラトゥーン,Splatoon) refers to theSuper Smash Bros. series' collection of elements originating from Nintendo's premier multiplayer-focused third-person shooter franchise. It is comprised of three installments where players take on the role ofInklings (andOctolings starting from the second installment), a race of shapeshifting humanoid squid creatures, and fight in paintball-styled team matches by using a variety of weapons that use their ink to "splat" opponents and cover the ground in the ink of their color. It holds the key distinction of being the first multiplayer shooter franchise to be represented in theSuper Smash Bros. series.

Franchise description[edit]

In the past,first andthird-person shooter games had been released on Nintendo platforms, but they were rarely developed by Nintendo themselves, instead being made by external developers (as seen withRare'sGoldenEye 007 on theNintendo 64 andRetro Studios'sMetroid Prime series) due to Nintendo's stance on producing family-friendly content. While franchises likeCall of Duty andHalo have received and continue to receive consistent praise for being gritty and realistic, fans of both have also agreed that the genre had grown stale with each installment, with little room for gameplay innovation. To the surprise of many, atE3 2014, it was announced that Nintendo themselves were developing an online multiplayer third-person shooter known asSplatoon forWii U. The game was a fresh take on the shooter genre, featuring creatures called Inklings shootingink at each other in aturf war battle style, with the victorious team being whichever could cover the most area with their ink's color. Inklings themselves are capable of transforming into squids, allowing them to speed through the battlefield through their own ink (and simultaneously recharge their ink supply). The team behind the development ofSplatoon was made up of core developers of theAnimal Crossing series, later joined by the director ofStar Fox 64 3D.

When the game was being developed, characters were one of the later thoughts the team had. Originally, the player was represented by a box with a nose (affectionately referred to by the development team as blocks oftofu), but as time went on, the team thought up ideas regarding anthropomorphic squids, rabbits, and robots.Mario characters were also considered, though the team wanted the game to be an original IP and not make it a part of an existing franchise. Due to not finding valid reasoning for rabbits or robots to shoot ink at each other, the squid idea was expanded upon, and eventually resulted in the creation of the shapeshifting humanoid characters known asInklings.

At the forefront of the online game modes isTurf War, in which players shoot ink in an arena for a predetermined time of three minutes. In that time, the player must cover as much territory as possible with their ink; they may recharge their ink supply by transforming into their squid form while standing on their own ink. If they are hit enough times by a player on the opposing team, they will be KO’d and respawn after eight seconds. There are also special timed events calledSplatfests where players can pick teams based on two choices depending on the theme and region (including cats and dogs, the past and the future, being physically fit or being rich, and even special crossover Splatfests withPokémon,SpongeBob SquarePants, andTransformers). These Splatfest battles are announced byCallie andMarie, of the in-universeSquid Sisters pop duo; the two also announce when stages change in the multiplayer modes, occurring every four hours.

Other multiplayer modes includeRanked Battles, in which players can participate in one of three modes:Splat Zone battles feature King of the Hill-type battles where players fight for control over a particular area in the stage;Tower Control battles feature players taking control of a tower, and they have to remain in control of it so that it reaches their base before the opponents’;Rainmaker battles are Capture the Flag-style matches centered around players grabbing the titular Rainmaker weapon and carrying it to the other team's base, with opponents being able to pop the shield surrounding the Rainmaker, resulting in a large explosion. Players can make teams with people in their friend list in theSquad Battle orPrivate Battle mode as well, with the latter allowing the players to choose the game mode and stage as well.

Beyond online,Splatoon offers a full-fledged 32-level single player campaign known asOcto Valley. The premise is that the power source of Inkopolis, theGreat Zapfish, has been stolen by theOctarians and the player, dubbedAgent 3, must work withCap'n Cuttlefish and the Squid Sisters to retrieve it. The levels presented are structured similarly to a linear 3D platformer, with mid-level checkpoints keeping track of progress, various collectibles and upgrades to be found, hub worlds to explore, and bosses to fight upon clearing all the levels in a given hub. Even more single player challenges were unlocked viaamiibo, withSplatoon seeing its own dedicated line of figures growing well into 2016.

Splatoon was released on May 28th, 2015 in Japan, the following day in North America and Europe, and two days after in Australia. It was critically acclaimed for its innovative ideas, and became the fifth-fastest selling Wii U title in the UK. The game's critical reception on release was incredibly positive, with outlets praising it for reinvigorating the stagnant shooter genre while also not sacrificing the signature "Nintendo" style. Initial criticisms were mainly directed at the game's lack of voice chat compatibility, amiibo-locked content, and limited online options. Over time the game saw numerous free content updates with Nintendo adding in new gear, weapons and game modes, as well as continuous Splatfests. The final Splatfest theme forSplatoon wasCallie vs. Marie and concluded on July 24th, 2016, thus ending all official support and content updates for the originalSplatoon. By the end of its lifespan the game had sold about 5 million copies, making it the most successful new home console IP sinceWii Sports. However, As of April 8th, 2024, all online modes for this game have been disabled with the discontinuation of the online servers for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U consoles. That being said, some fan-made projects exist that attempt to unofficially revive the online servers, chief among themPretendo.

Splatoon-like gameplay was spotted in the official debut trailer for theNintendo Switch console in October 2016, and months later it was announced that a full sequel,Splatoon 2, would be released for the new system. On July 21st, 2017,Splatoon 2 released worldwide to another round of critical acclaim and becoming one of the top ten best-selling games on the Nintendo Switch.Splatoon 2 kept several aspects of the first game, but also brought its own fair share of changes, switching Callie and Marie out withPearl andMarina, of the in-universeOff the Hook pop duo, and featuring several new modes. A new Ranked Battle mode,Clam Blitz, was added the December afterSplatoon 2's release and features players attempting to fill the enemy team's basket, and if ten clams are collected, the player obtains a Power Clam which possesses the ability to destroy the barrier around the basket if it is thrown at it.League Battles replace the Squad Battles from the previous game, while the newSalmon Run is a horde mode that has players collecting a set amount of salmon eggs while fighting off Salmonid enemies in a set of three waves. Another wave of amiibo figures themed aroundSplatoon 2 also saw periodic releases, and the game was also compatible with all previousSplatoon series amiibo.

On March 8th, 2018, it was revealed in aNintendo Direct that the first ever piece of paid DLC in the series would be coming toSplatoon 2 on July 31st, 2018 in the form of theOcto Expansion, focusing on a new character,Agent 8, anOctoling who has lost their memories and wants to escape the underground subway system they ended up in, going through several testing facilities to get to the surface. Players who finish the DLC can play as Octolings in multiplayer matches. At E3 2018, it was revealed that the expansion would be released for download on June 13th, 2018. The final Splatfest theme forSplatoon 2 was initiallyChaos vs. Order, but likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, four encore Splatfests occurred during 2020 and early 2021, with the fourth and final one beingSuper Mushroom vs. Super Star concluding on January 17, 2021, three years and 6 months after the game first launched. As of March 2021, the game had sold over 12.21 million copies worldwide, making it the ninth best-selling Nintendo Switch game.

In a Nintendo Direct on February 17th, 2021, a third installment,Splatoon 3 was announced, set for a release in 2022. A dedicated direct on August 10th, 2022 announced new weapons and abilities, new and updated game modes, a new group calledDeep Cut featuring new idolsFrye,Shiver, andBig Man, three-way splatfests, and a proper release date of September 9th, 2022. A demo released on August 25th, 2022 with a Splatfest world premiere on August 27th, 2022 with a theme ofRock vs. Paper vs. Scissors. The full game released on schedule and the development team has promised to routinely update the game with new content, both free and paid, over the next several years. This includes the Expansion Pass, which includes the returning Inkopolis lobby and the newSide Order campaign.

Alongside an announcement for aNintendo Switch 2 centric performance and content update on June 10th, 2025, a standalone spinoff entry was announced exclusively for the new hardware. TitledSplatoon Raiders, the game focuses around a mechanic character exploring new and unknown locations with the Deep Cut group.

Since its debut in 2015,Splatoon content has been featured in a number of Nintendo and non-Nintendo related media, to the point of being considered Nintendo's newest original tentpole franchise since the introductions ofPokémon andAnimal Crossing. For example, the Inklings were featured in a crossover with theSquid Girl manga series, as downloadable Mii Fighter costumes inSuper Smash Bros. 4, as Mystery Mushroom costumes inSuper Mario Maker on Wii U, as playable guest characters inMario Kart 8 Deluxe on Nintendo Switch, and the Inkling Squid's eyes being used as a sticker bundled withNintendo Labo: Variety Kit. TheSplatoon franchise was prominently featured as the first new universe inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate, with the Inklings appearing as playable newcomers.

InSuper Smash Bros. 4[edit]

While it was a small first appearance, theSplatoon universe made its debut inSuper Smash Bros. 4, in the form of Mii Fighter costumes and a trophy.

Mii Costumes[edit]

Outfit[edit]

• Inkling Outfit (DLC):Mii Gunnercostumes based on the Inklings seen in most promotional artwork and the game cover for the originalSplatoon were released asdownloadable content on June 14th, 2015. The costume would change depending on which gender the Mii wearing it is. For female Miis, it was based on the Inkling Girl wearing theWhite Tee andPink Trainers while wielding aSplattershot with orange ink inside. Likewise, the costume for male Miis was based on the Inkling Boy wearing theZink Layered LS and thePurple Hi-Horses while wielding a Splattershot with blue ink. Downloading the costume would also give the player the Inkling trophy.

Headgear[edit]

• Inkling Wig (DLC) The wig paired with the Inkling Outfit. Like the costume, the wig itself would change depending on the gender of the Mii wearing it. Female Miis would wear the orange Inkling Girl hair fromSplatoon, while male Miis would wear the blue Inkling Boy hair, matching the aforementioned promotional Inklings fromSplatoon.
• Inkling Squid Hat (DLC) A hat was based off of the Inkling's squid form, more specifically a green Inkling Squid based on the Inkling Squid amiibo fromSplatoon.

Trophy[edit]

Both Versions[edit]

• Inkling

InSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

Splatoon representation was massively expanded on in the transition toUltimate, elevating it to a primary universe with the addition of a new fighter in the form of the Inkling, as well as a newAssist Trophy and stage,many new tracks and remixes, and a new Mii Gunner costume based off of the default Inklings inSplatoon 2. Multiple new Mii costumes were later added as DLCs throughout the two Fighter Pass, including the Octolings fromSplatoon 2: Octo Expansion.

Much later in January 2024, a new combined spirit fromSplatoon 3 was added to the game, completing the representation of the trilogy.

Fighter[edit]

• 64.
  
  Inkling (Unlockable): The playable race of the games make their debut as an unlockable newcomer, with both Girl and Boy variants. Both Inklings were suggested to appear duringUltimate's then unnamedteaser trailer at the end of the March 8th, 2018Nintendo Direct, and were later formally announced alongside all of theveterans duringE3 2018. Inklings use theirink to increase the amount of damage foes take from attacks, but must manage theirInk Tank or else they will be left at a disadvantage. The alternate costumes showcase a variety of colors and clothing styles, moreso than most other playable characters. Their moveset (particularly theirsmash attacks andspecial moves) incorporates a wide variety of weapons from their series such as theSplattershot, Blaster,Splat Roller, Inkbrush,Splat Bomb and, for the Final Smash, theKiller Wail.

Stage[edit]

• 
  Moray Towers (Starter): A multiplayer stage fromSplatoon andSplatoon 2. Players fight on one of the towers, with inclined platforms that connect to each floor. If certain songs are played, the stage will take place at night, much like aSplatfest in the original games.

Assist Trophy[edit]

• Squid Sisters: The famous singing cousins Callie and Marie debut as an Assist Trophy. When summoned, the screen slowly zooms onto them, making theblast zones closer and making it easier toKO opponents with them.

Mii Costumes[edit]

Outfits[edit]

• Inkling Outfit
• Splatoon 2 Outfit
• Marie Outfit (DLC)
• Callie Outfit (DLC)

Headgear[edit]

• Inkling Wig
• Splatoon 2 Wig
• Inkling Squid Hat
• Marie Wig (DLC)
• Callie Wig (DLC)
• Octoling Wig (DLC)
• Judd Hat (DLC)

Music[edit]

Original Tracks[edit]

Arrangements and remixes unique toUltimate.

• Splattack!: A jazzy remix of the main theme fromSplatoon, which can also play during multiplayer matches, as well as including a remix of "Opening" and "Now or Never!" from the same game. Heard in the Inkling's character trailer.
• Seaskape: A techno remix of "Seaskape", a multiplayer battle song fromSplatoon.
• Now or Never!: A remix of the theme that plays when there's a minute left in a multiplayer match inSplatoon.
• Bomb Rush Blush: A remix of the theme that the Squid Sisters originally played at Niconico Chokaigi 2016, which later appeared inSplatoon and Splatoon 2 when scanning in the Callieamiibo.

Source Tracks[edit]

Tracks sourced directly from theSplatoon games.

• Splattack!: The main theme, as well as a multiplayer match theme, sourced fromSplatoon.
• Ink or Sink: A multiplayer match theme, sourced fromSplatoon.
• Kraken Up: A multiplayer match theme, sourced fromSplatoon.
• Metalopod: A multiplayer match theme, sourced fromSplatoon.
• Split & Splat: A multiplayer match theme added in the2.0.0 update, sourced fromSplatoon.
• Now or Never! - Splatoon: The song that plays in the last minute of a multiplayer match, sourced fromSplatoon.
• Now or Never! - Splatoon 2: The song that plays in the last minute of a multiplayer match which itself is a remix of the track of the same name fromSplatoon, sourced fromSplatoon 2.
• Ink Me Up: The song that played during aSplatfest, sourced fromSplatoon.
• Now or Never! (Splatfest Version) - Splatoon: The song that plays during the last minute of a Splatfest match, sourced fromSplatoon.
• Now or Never! (Splatfest Version) - Splatoon 2: The song that plays during the last minute of a Splatfest match, sourced fromSplatoon 2.
• Octoweaponry: A medley of the three parts of the theme when fighting anOctoweapon, with each part corresponding to a phase of the fight, sourced fromSplatoon.
• I Am Octavio: A medley of the three parts of the first phase of the final boss theme againstDJ Octavio, with each part corresponding to a part of the phase, sourced fromSplatoon.
• Calamari Inkantation: The Squid Sisters' signature song, played during the second phase of the fight against DJ Octavio, sourced fromSplatoon.
• Inkoming!: The main theme, as well as a multiplayer match theme, sourced fromSplatoon 2.
• Rip Entry: A multiplayer match theme, sourced fromSplatoon 2.
• Undertow: A multiplayer match theme, sourced fromSplatoon 2.
• Don't Slip: A multiplayer match theme, sourced fromSplatoon 2.
• Endolphin Surge: A multiplayer match theme, sourced fromSplatoon 2.
• Ebb & Flow: A theme that can play during a Splatfest battle, sourced fromSplatoon 2.
• Acid Hues: A theme that can play during a Splatfest battle, sourced fromSplatoon 2.
• Muck Warfare: A theme that can play during a Splatfest battle, sourced fromSplatoon 2.
• Deluge Dirge: A theme that can play during a match ofSalmon Run, sourced formSplatoon 2.

Victory Theme[edit]

• Victory! Inkling: A remix of the online victory jingle fromSplatoon.

Spirits[edit]

Media with elements appearing in theSuper Smash Bros. series[edit]

TheSplatoon universe has media represented throughout theSuper Smash Bros. series with a total of 4 games and media. The latest game represented in this universe isSplatoon 3, released on September 9, 2022.

Splatoon[edit]

• Playable characters:
  • Inkling's main design is based around their appearance inSplatoon.
  • Mii Fighter Costumes based on the designs of the male and female Inklings debuted in this game and were added as DLC.
  • Callie appears as a DLC costume for theMii Brawler.
  • Marie appears as a DLC costume for theMii Gunner.
  • Octoling and Judd appear as DLC hats forMii Fighters.
• Stages:
  • Moray Towers is based around its appearance inSplatoon.
• Stage elements:
  • Judd makes a cameo appearance on Moray Towers.
• Assist Trophy:
  • TheSquid Sisters, Callie and Marie, appear as an Assist Trophy.
• Trophies:
  • The male and female Inklings, using their design from this game, appear as DLC trophies.
• Spirits:
  • Inkling (Girl), Inkling (Boy),Spyke,Super Sea Snail,DJ Octavio,Octobot King,Annie,Zapfish,Great Zapfish,Inkling Squid,Jelonzo,Judd,Squid Sisters,Zapfish,Crusty Sean,Sheldon, andCap'n Cuttlefish all originated in this game.
• Music:
  • "Splattack! (Remix)": A jazzy remix of the main theme fromSplatoon, which can also play during multiplayer matches, as well as including a remix of "Opening" and "Now or Never!" from the same game. Heard in the Inkling's character trailer.
  • "Splattack!": The main theme, as well as a multiplayer match theme, sourced fromSplatoon.
  • "Victory! Inkling": A remix of the online victory jingle fromSplatoon.
  • "Ink or Sink": A multiplayer match theme, sourced fromSplatoon.
  • "Seaskape": A techno remix of "Seaskape", a multiplayer battle song fromSplatoon.
  • "Kraken Up": A multiplayer match theme, sourced fromSplatoon.
  • "Metalopod": A multiplayer match theme, sourced fromSplatoon.
  • "Split & Splat": A multiplayer match theme added in the2.0.0 update, sourced fromSplatoon.
  • "Now or Never!": A remix of the theme that plays when there's a minute left in a multiplayer match inSplatoon.
  • "Now or Never! - Splatoon": The song that plays in the last minute of a multiplayer match, sourced fromSplatoon.
  • "Ink Me Up": The song that played during aSplatfest, sourced fromSplatoon.
  • "Now or Never! (Splatfest version) - Splatoon": The song that plays during the last minute of a Splatfest match, sourced fromSplatoon.
  • "Octoweaponry": A medley of the three parts of the theme when fighting anOctoweapon, with each part corresponding to a phase of the fight, sourced fromSplatoon.
  • "I Am Octavio": A medley of the three parts of the first phase of the final boss theme againstDJ Octavio, with each part corresponding to a part of the phase, sourced fromSplatoon.
  • "Calamari Inkantation": The Squid Sisters' signature song, played during the second phase of the fight against DJ Octavio, sourced fromSplatoon.
  • "Bomb Rush Blush": A remix of the theme that the Squid Sisters originally played at Niconico Chokaigi 2016, which later appeared inSplatoon and Splatoon 2 when scanning in the Callieamiibo.

Shiokalive at Chokaigi 2016[edit]

• Music:
  • "Bomb Rush Blush": The track originated from this event.

Splatoon 2 /Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion[edit]

• Playable characters:
  • The Inklings'Splatoon 2 outfits are used for theMii Gunner.
• Stage elements:
  • Li'l Judd makes a cameo alongside Judd on Moray Towers.
• Spirits:
  • Off the Hook,Li'l Judd,Flow,Jelfonzo,Bisk, andMurch appear as spirits, while Crusty Sean's spirit uses his design from this game. TheOctoling Octopus and Octoling Girl & Octoling Boy from theOcto Expansion DLC also appear.
• Music:
  • "Now or Never! - Splatoon 2": The song that plays in the last minute of a multiplayer match which itself is a remix of the track of the same name fromSplatoon, sourced fromSplatoon 2.
  • "Now or Never! (Splatfest version) - Splatoon 2": The song that plays during the last minute of a Splatfest match, sourced fromSplatoon 2.
  • "Inkoming!": The main theme, as well as a multiplayer match theme, sourced fromSplatoon 2.
  • "Rip Entry": A multiplayer match theme, sourced fromSplatoon 2.
  • "Undertow": A multiplayer match theme, sourced fromSplatoon 2.
  • "Don't Slip": A multiplayer match theme, sourced fromSplatoon 2.
  • "Endolphin Surge": A multiplayer match theme, sourced fromSplatoon 2.
  • "Ebb & Flow": A theme that can play during a Splatfest battle, sourced fromSplatoon 2.
  • "Acid Hues": A theme that can play during a Splatfest battle, sourced fromSplatoon 2.
  • "Muck Warfare": A theme that can play during a Splatfest battle, sourced fromSplatoon 2.
  • "Deluge Dirge": A theme that can play during a match ofSalmon Run, sourced formSplatoon 2.

Splatoon 3[edit]

• Spirits:
  • Deep Cut appears as a spirit.

Trivia[edit]

• Splatoon is the first and only dedicated shooter franchise to be represented in theSuper Smash Bros. series with a playable fighter; while other universes such asMetroid orMetal Gear prominently feature a multitude of ranged weaponry, they are not the focus of their core gameplay.
• With the addition of downloadable content,Splatoon became the newest universe to be represented inSuper Smash Bros. 4, as the first game released 6 months after the release ofSuper Smash Bros. for Wii U.
  • With the addition of Inklings as playable characters and otherSplatoon content inUltimate, the franchise was the newest major universe in theSuper Smash Bros. series to be represented with a playable character prior to the announcement ofMin Min as DLC.
• Splatoon is the only first-party franchise that debuted on theWii U to have playable characters.
• Splatoon is the first major universe introduced inUltimate to have been represented in previous installments prior to its playable character's debut, as a trophy and a Mii costume for the Inkling is available inSmash 4 as DLC. It would later be followed byTekken.
• With the Inkling trophy, theSplatoon universe is the only minor universe to have a trophy available in both versions ofSSB4.
• From December 15th-16th 2018, a Splatfest was held inSplatoon 2 that crossed over withSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate called "Hero vs. Villain". The Villain team ended up winning the Splatfest.

v • d • e Splatoon universe
Fighter	Inkling (SSBU)
Assist Trophy	Squid Sisters
Stage	Moray Towers
Other	Judd ·Octoling
Spirits	Spirits
Music	Ultimate

• Universes
• Splatoon universe