Splatoon May Be Biding Its Time on Switch 2, and That's a…

Splatoon has quickly become one of Nintendo’s most surprising and delightful franchises. Ten years on from its debut on the Wii U, Splatoon has slotted itself as one of Nintendo’s premier multiplayer franchises with its unique paintball-influenced gameplay. The franchise’s two follow-ups on the Nintendo Switch have also become some of the highest-selling games on the system, and the series has also seen representation in Nintendo’s crossover fighting franchise, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

With all the success that Splatoon has had coming up on its tenth anniversary - especially on the Switch - Nintendo is sure to keep the Splatoon train right on rolling on the Nintendo Switch 2. Even so, it doesn’t seem like the publisher is doing so right away, at least not in the form of a wholly new game. Even so, Nintendo may actually be best served sticking to this approach, and not rushing out the next Splatoon game on the Switch 2.

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By Justin Skiles

Splatoon 4 Could Play The Waiting Game On The Switch 2

Splatoon 3 Already Took Its Time To Release

The recent Nintendo Switch 2 Direct came and went without any announcements related to Splatoon. While 2025 could’ve been the perfect time to release the next game considering that the franchise celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, it looks like Nintendo will not release the next title within the new system’s launch window. While this may be disappointing news for hardcore fans, Nintendo can afford to play the waiting game with this new entry.

After all, Splatoon 3 took five years to release following its predecessor's arrival early in the Switch's life. Of course, at least a portion of that longer wait may have been influenced by it being in development during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the long wait certainly didn’t affect the game’s overall performance. After all, it became the fastest-selling game in the series upon its eventual release in 2022.

Splatoon 4 Has A Chance To Be A Major Innovation

Splatoon 4 could also afford to take its time because a longer development will allow Nintendo to innovate much more deeply. Being a multiplayer-focused title, Splatoon has often benefited from releasing content in such quick succession, especially in the form of its expansions. Splatoon fans have definitely been fed as far as content is concerned, so Nintendo could be as patient as it feels it needs to be with this new game.

It’s also worth pointing out that the previous Splatoon sequels have largely stuck to the first game's formula. Even with the occasional change-up here and there - and the very polished nature of the games - Splatoon has not innovated in a major way with its two Switch sequels. Giving the fourth game a longer development cycle would allow Nintendo to take its time and build a Splatoon game that stands out compared to its predecessors.

Splatoon 4 could also afford to take its time because a longer development will allow Nintendo to innovate much more deeply.

Nintendo Could Give Splatoon 3 A Switch 2 Edition

If Nintendo wants to tide Splatoon fans over while developing the fourth game, the publisher could very well release a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Splatoon 3 closer to the console’s launch. Even though Nintendo has announced that the game will not be receiving any new content, a Switch 2 Edition can help extend its multiplayer life just a bit longer while Splatoon 4 takes its time to come together. Furthermore, having a Switch 2 version of Splatoon 3 could benefit from the use of mouse controls and the system’s capability to play games at 120 frames per second.

Splatoon 4 may take its time to release on the Switch 2, and fans may have to stick to Splatoon 3 for now if they want their fix. Still, a longer wait could spell good news for the next entry, as it gives Nintendo a chance to avoid letting the franchise get incredibly stagnant. Hopefully, the extra time results in Splatoon 4 becoming the best entry in the franchise yet.

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