Summary
- Splatoon 3's long-awaited Side Order DLC releases on February 22, offering a fresh single-player campaign that fans have been eager for.
- The DLC introduces a mysterious tower with waves of enemies, along with the new feature of color chips that can be customized to enhance the main character's abilities.
- While awaiting the second wave of the Expansion Pass, Splatoon 3 continues to provide consistent updates and new content, keeping players engaged in the game's Chill Season.
Splatoon 3's long-awaited Side Order DLC is finally releasing on February 22. Splatoon 3 showed off a first look at Side Order gameplay back in the September 2023 Nintendo Direct, but things have been awfully quiet since concerning the Expansion Pass' second wave. Still, the visuals of an eerily achromatic world within the usually bubbly Splatoon universe have been enough to intrigue fans.
While Inkopolis, Splatoon 3's first wave of DLC, is a return to the bustling hub world from the franchise's first game, Side Order offers an entirely new single-player campaign. Splatoon 3 is widely considered one of the best first-party Nintendo Switch games due to its thriving multiplayer modes, but the franchise has always boasted a more underrated single-player component. Side Order, however, looks to be a fresh new take on Splatoon single-player content.
Nintendo shared a new trailer for the Splatoon 3 Side Order DLC along with a release date of February 22. Side Order follows the Expansion Pass' first wave, Inkopolis, which is currently available. Both waves can be purchased together for $24.99 USD on the Nintendo Switch eShop.
Rather than show off new gameplay, the latest trailer for Splatoon 3's Sider Order DLC appears to be more of a tonal piece for the upcoming single-player add-on accompanied by a firm release date. Based on what Nintendo has already said about the DLC, Side Order serves as an entirely new single-player campaign for Splatoon 3, in which players climb a mysterious tower that features waves of enemies. Color chips, a new feature being introduced with Side Order, are powerful mods that boost the abilities of the main character. These chips can be customized to serve each level and gamers' differing play styles.
While fans await the release of the second wave of the Splatoon 3 expansion, the game is providing players with consistent updates and new content. Splatoon 3 is still in its Chill Season, which has offered players new and returning maps, weapons, songs, and events.
Along with games like Princess Peach: Showtime and the Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door remake, Splatoon 3's Side Order DLC is one of the bigger Nintendo releases in 2024 that fans are currently aware of. Of course, the Switch successor is Nintendo's worst-kept secret at this point, but there still is no word on when fans can expect to hear anything about the long-rumored hardware. Reports point to a 2024 announcement and release, but fans will have to wait until Nintendo makes an official announcement to know for sure.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
- Released
- September 9, 2022
- ESRB
- E10+ for Everyone 10+: Cartoon Violence
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Engine
- phive
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Splatoon
WHERE TO PLAY
Enter 4-on-4* ink-slinging battles in this colorful action shooter packed with style and attitude. As a squid-like Inkling, quickly cover your surroundings (and opponents) in ink with wild weaponry and swim through your own color to sneak and splat. Dive into the fresh fun with family and friends and make waves as a team. Get splatted by an opponent? No sweat! The goal in Turf War is to cover the most ground, so respawn and jump back into the inky action.
Keep it current with rotating items, seasonal catalogs, and special events: Variety is the spice of an Inkling’s life, so check out shops daily for a changing array of gear that is as fashionable as it is functional. Timed events like Splatfests bring different types of chaotic competition and content updates add even more weapons and stages. Earn points to get in-game items from season-specific catalogs to dress up your own personal locker and show your style.
Use inky new abilities and weapons to compete, cooperate, or clear up the mystery of the Fuzzy Ooze: Dynamic new moves like the Squid Surge and Squid Roll will help you and your fellow Inklings cover more ground and avoid enemy ink. Take aim with the bow-like Stringer and get slash happy with sword-like Splatanas—these new weapon types join an arsenal of fresh special weapons and sub weapons, too. Work together to collect Golden Eggs and fend off brand-new swarms of invading Salmonids in the co-op Salmon Run mode. Tackle a solo adventure alongside a Smallfry companion to solve the mystery of the Fuzzy Ooze in the offline story mode.
- Platform(s)
- Switch
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
