Nintendo has rolled out the much-anticipated Splatoon 3 update version 10.0.0. Scheduled for a full public release on June 12, 2025, this expansive update isn’t just a routine patch—it represents a significant evolution in gameplay visual fidelity, fluidity, and cross-platform integration, making the game even more addictive for both longtime fans and newcomers alike .
Splatoon 3’s Update 10.0.0 brings a series of critical visual and performance enhancements designed specifically for the Nintendo Switch 2. Players can now enjoy an enriched on-screen detail where every ink splat and character animation is rendered with greater clarity. Key improvements include smoother movement across various in-game locations like Splatsville, Inkopolis, Inkopolis Square, and the Grand Festival Grounds, while Salmon Run receives a major boost with refined Salmonid and jellyfish animations—even during the most chaotic ink battles. For users on the original Nintendo Switch, the update tidies up the interface during key competitive modes by eliminating non-essential background elements, ensuring a more consistent and responsive performance across both systems .
Platform key enhancements:
Nintendo Switch 2: increased on-screen detail and crisp visuals, smoother on-screen movement and transitions, enhanced photo mode with higher resolution captures.
Nintendo Switch: removal of extraneous elements in battle modes (Splat Zones, Tower Control, Rainmaker, and Clam Blitz), maintained high-quality animations in recon mode.
Fresh Content: New Stages, Weapons, and Innovative Stats.
Perhaps the most thrilling aspect of this update is the rich new content added to the game. One standout feature is the return of the classic stage, Urchin Underpass—a nostalgic nod to fans of the original Wii U Splatoon title. This reintroduced arena is set to breathe new life into competitive play by adding a familiar yet refreshed battleground.
Alongside this, the update introduces a captivating Splatlands Collection that brings 30 brand-new weapon kits under the banners of Barazushi and Emberz. These new kits not only offer visually fresh looks but come with adjusted specifications across main, sub, and special weapons to improve game balance and tactical depth. Additionally, all weapon "Freshness" caps have been increased, and Splatoon 3 now features a new statistic for Anarchy Battles—Series Weapon Power. This innovative system tracks the effectiveness of a player’s weapon based on win/loss ratios and is designed to better match players with similar levels of weapon proficiency, allowing for more nuanced and balanced competitive play.
A cornerstone of version 10.0.0 is its focus on cross-platform compatibility. The update ensures that players on both the original Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2 can seamlessly battle it out together. This move not only unifies the player base but also guarantees that improvements optimized for the latest hardware do not alienate longtime players still on the classic console. Nintendo’s forward-thinking approach here underscores their dedication to community and competitive balance, even as they continue to push the technological envelope with the Switch 2 improvements.
The Splatoon 3 Update 10.0.0 is more than just a patch, it shows Nintendo’s commitment to continually evolving the Splatoon universe. With reimagined visuals, rebalanced gameplay mechanics, and appealing content drops like classic stage revivals and new weapons, the update sets the stage for both immediate excitement and long-term engagement. The introduction of detailed performance tracking through Series Weapon Power hints at even more refined balancing in future updates, ensuring that as players experiment with the new arsenal, the competitive edge remains fair and challenging.
