Splatoon 2 Global Testfire To Take Place During Nintendo Switch Launch Month

Thank god for my preorder.

I was just saying it would be smart to get a Splatoon 2 beta out in the launch month

My Switch and body are ready!

Didn't have a pro controller on my radar until later, looks like I'm going shopping earlier than anticipated.

Good to hear my amiibo will be coming out of retirement.
Also, clever move Nintendo.
Not a bait n Switch but a Switch n bait!

Now do the same for Arms please.

Very smart move. The original testfire was absolutely instrumental in the first game's success. Get the hype rolling for a major release, and allow early adopters who may not have owned a Wii U, and missed out on the first game as a result, to try the sequel out and get them hooked.

This is fantastic news. We need more demos.

Oh yeah so happy about it!!! So happy i will have a chance to try joycons on Splatoon 2!!! Great move by Nintendo!!!

Nice. Can't wait!

Ahh, I love it when Nintendo releases a video 5 seconds before I shut my eyes. They love me

In all seriousness even if I knew this will happen, Im still 100% excited.

Yes! I can't wait! I've always wanted to try splatoon so having the opportunity to try it out before buying is great!

Wow I guess this is an obvious move now that I think about it... but I didn't see it coming! Smart move Nintendo, I WISH I was gonna be there at launch but hey, have fun everyone!

I think we all knew one was coming but it happening in launch month is a surprise and excellent. It could even push splatoon purchases up for those who never picked it up on Wii U. I think it'll be the stage from the Nintendo hands on event but it was a great stage and it'll be nice to play it for more than one three minutes match!

Great decision!

Question is! Will we have the app to allow voice chat?

Aw man, now I'm gonna have to track down a pro controller during launch month. I tried both handheld and Pro Controller, and motion controls on the Pro Controller wins hands down. The right thumbstick being in the right spot helps out tremendously.

Guinea pigs at the ready!

@SLIGEACH_EIRE Dont you mean... Guinea Squids? :Y

@DTFaux you win!

Have they got any plans for another direct soon as this would be a big motivator in trying to get the switch early, and they have a lot of information holes to fill in for the system.

@DTFaux Haha. I came back to change that but you beat me to the punch. I mean they're Guinea Squids in relation to stress testing the servers.

Can't wait to be Splat2n'd this March!!!

Super glad I'll be getting a Nintendo Switch at launch. After a decent amount of playtime with Super Bomberman R, and maybe starting a bit of I Am Setsuna, I'll be able to take a brief break with Splatoon 2 Global Testfire.

It also will help potentially convince me to get the game straight away, as I'm a little on the fence given online is going to be a paid service, and I'll be at a disadvantage in lacking voice chat compared to many others. I'm looking forward to it; show me what you've got Splatoon 2.

Thinking about it... this will also give me time to test out recording with the Nintendo Switch. I might be able to record and upload my first playtime of Splatoon 2 as well. That would be pretty cool!

As a wii u owner with a switch on pre order I'm really pleased to read this

For one reason or another never got round to playing the first splatoon so quite keen to try this and see what all the fuss is about

😳

Total mic drop. I am so hyped!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wonder what the amiibo will do?

Once again, see you guys at launch ~

Certainly am wondering what that could mean for the launch window.

Sounds like this is the hands-on event demo. Good stuff! The Testfire for the original game was a brilliant move.

Now, if only they would let me testfire Mario's hat...

Great news that we'll be able to try out Splatoon 2 earlier than expected!

This has got me wondering if we'll see the game earlier than expected. If it's still a summer release I'd possibly pin it down to early June if they're doing the testfire this early.

Count me in!

@masterLEON @KiWiiU_Freek Best Buy is still taking preorders for the pro controller fyi (if u live in the US). Free day 1 shipping.

That's cool, give launch buyers something else to play on Switch after they've been playing mostly BotW only on it for 3 weeks. Will I be part of that group? Don't know, still not sure whether to get Switch at launch or on my birthday in April.

Huh, I guess this should have been expected.

Right on. Testfire is just what I need to help spice up the launch month.

Cheers for the info but I live in Australia, although importing is thankfully now an option.
My local EB still has Pro controllers left, luckily.
That could change now though.

This is way earlier than expected!

Good stuff.I will be there ink at the ready.

I think we've still got some more March games to hear about.Gamecube VC at launch with online play?

maybe this means its coming out earlier than we thought

I'm just glad the early adopters have something to look forward to

@IceClimbers
This. Nintendo is realizing that first adopters need more content to justify their dedication - about time. Good to know.

So glad this is coming, my son especially is going to be so excited, we will play against each other a lot.

Wait, does the Switch allow you to add friends and enable players to chat in a party like every other gaming platform these days?

Wow! A whole hour to play! How generous

This game is looking better every day!

Awesome! I was pretty bummed that I missed the testfire for the first game, so I'm glad I'll be participating this time around!

Yes! I was hoping for this. I didn't think it would even come this soon, I expected more like, May. I wonder if they'll have more Testfire demos over time before launch though?

Didn't preorder the Pro Controller because I splurged for the Special Edition of Zelda.... Hmmm. Maybe I can budget it in for late March... I do get paid on the 24th. (If I can find one, lol)

While I still believe Nintendo should have a full window of time for the beta, it's still great to see them do this. Hopefully the game turns out being really well.

It's funny. I just couldn't get over Splatoon's controls. I don't know if it's the shape of the gamepad or what. I just always felt imprecise. I'm actually more excited about Splatoon 2 with the motion controls of the Pro controller.

Good news.

I'm not getting getting a Switch at launch and now I'm a lil jealous! The global testfire went a long way towards making Splatoon a success, it was a good laugh and definitely sold the game to me.

Perfect. Since I skipped the first one I look forward to checking out this demo. Hopefully

@rjejr
Hmm... Splatoon 2 testfire in March. 2nd Switch or not?... the plot thickens — lol

I wonder if Nintendo is planning to keep up a once-per-month event from now until Holidays. Would be a great idea.

March 3rd launch - Zelda blitz

Just before April Splatoon 2 Testfire

Just before May Mario kart 8 Deluxe

Just before June???

There's the Arms launch, the Splatoon 2 release...

@UK-Nintendo
Really worried about that? These are people that are excited about the entire prospect of the Switch, many willing to buy off-the-wall stuff like 3-2-Switch! just for the experience. They look forward to being the people to introduce the system to people who have never experienced it. Watching the expressions on their friends and family's faces when they feel the HD rumble or when they are handed the second controller right off the side of the system to play some Bomberman or Snipperclips together in a room with no TV. They get to evaluate how it works for them in different situations before most have seen it in person and experience the early community of Switch users sharing stories. Either that or return it after a week of disappointment.

Either way, I don't deny it makes it all a bit sweeter! I hope to still be embroiled in Zelda by the time it hits.

I could have answered this in a snarky negative way too: "All Switch early adopters have is things to look forward to." But that's not how I feel.

A great bonus for the early adopters. If Ninty keep this trend up it could only be a good thing

The hype is real....Ba..Ba.bababa.baba....badaba

An unexpected but nice surprise.

@aaronsullivan Arms is down for Spring so I presume that'll be the end of May title.Arms was at one point down for June 28th.I saw it on the games official page not long after the presentation but the next time I checked it said Spring.I'm 99% sure I didn't imagine it.I originally expected Splatoon 2 to be the May release,it's the 2 year anniversary, but I think it's probably better Arms comes first.The Switch needs that game that really makes it stand out from the rest.it'll probably sell better arriving a month or 2 before Splatoon 2 than a month or 2 after.

@NintySnesMan A big massive IF

@aaronsullivan you got me

This is great for me, having never played splatoon a demo is what I need. Of course there won't be a single player demo, and I don't really buy multiplayer only games(destiny burned me on that.) but at least I can try it out

Nice. I'm really looking forward to trying out Splatoon 2. I'm curious how it'll work out in portable mode!

Splatoon is one of the best shooters since team fortress. This is a great idea and I will be participating in all but 1 of those tests. I can not wait.

Awesome! Sounds like a great way to gain even more players.

@Urameshi Preordered! Thanks for the heads up!

@Rumncoke25 The original global testfire for Splatoon was great. It gave you a quick tutorial of the controls then threw you into turf war. It is a very addictive game, it has a high "just one more go" factor. Give it a go, it's definitely worth it.

That is unexpected and fantastic! I'll be playing splatoon a few weeks after launch (albeit briefly) yes please!

Nice. The more people get to play Splatoon, the better.

@UK-Nintendo
Yeah it's a big ask. It's always hard to 2nd guess ninty

@SLIGEACH_EIRE - Kudos!

You have managed to turn a completely optional preview that fans are looking forward to into a topic of derision painting Nintendo as unscrupulous monsters taking advantage of their user base.

Yes, how dare Nintendo offer early adopters a chance to test a highly anticipated game in such a way that will help them work out launch day issues!

Nintendo should be shut down, all their employees arrested, their offices should be razed to the ground and the earth below salted!

@Action51 breath in. Breath out.

@Action51 It's kind of his thing.

@aaronsullivan "Splatoon 2 testfire in March. 2nd Switch or not?"

Its amazing how marketing works, doesn't it? I was looking at this this morning and thinking, OK, now we have to get a Switch, but the euphoria quickly wore off and I realized the testfire is 3 hours long, no reason to buy a Switch for that, and I'm probably really skipping the game for anger management issues. My family has gotten a lot of laughter out of me shouting "f@%&" every time 1 of my characters in FEH dies, which is 2 or 3 times every fight, I don't play the game the right way, I just rush in and kill things and consider myself victorious if I have 1 person standing. So no Splatoon for me. Which is sad as I bought 2 amiibo for it. Oh well.

Oh, the demo marketing does work though, I bought my Wii U the day after the W101 demo released at the end of the ND b/c I had to play that demo. Post #60.

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/08/talking_point_the_wonderful_101_direct_and_demo_set_the_standard_for_wii_u_marketing

And I really enjoyed the demo and the game, and then 2 weeks later they announced the price cut they said they weren't going to have and the WW HD Wii U bundle. Post #54

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/08/talking_point_the_wonderful_101_direct_and_demo_set_the_standard_for_wii_u_marketing

So that's why I'm not getting a Switch at launch. Actually wait, post #104 says it better. That's when I started using the word "madness" on a regular basis 3 1/2 years ago. What am I still doing here?

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/08/wii_u_deluxe_model_gets_official_usd50_price_cut_in_north_america

OK, stroll down memory lane over with, refresh my memory, am I supposed to be taking you into a 2nd Switch at launch or waiting on the 2nd?

I don't think you need a 2nd for the testfire.
Fri 3-4PM you'll be at work, 11-12PM kids in bed
Sat 7-8AM you'll be sleeping, 3-4, 11-12PM kids will be sleeping
Sun 7-8AM you'll be sleeping

Which kind of raises the question, why are 2 of the testfires at 4-5AM in California at 2 near midnight on the East coast?

Are those times right @damo b/c if they are that's pretty stupid. They put the testfire on the weekend so they have all day Sat and Sun and make them either too early or too late. Brilliant. 75 comments and I haven't seen a single other person mention the times being less than ideal.

This is cool! March 24th is my birthday

At least Nintendo is acknowledging Splatoon as a big gun. I wonder if this means early summer release...or earlier than summer release?

@Action51 Cop on, you're acting like a moron. Nobody said that, except you.

They are using the early Switch buyers to stress test the online servers. That is the point of the event. So they are in a way Guinea pigs. I didn't say anything bad or malicious. Way to overreact over a simple statement.

You get this:

"Kudos!

You have managed to turn a completely optional preview that fans are looking forward to into a topic of derision painting Nintendo as unscrupulous monsters taking advantage of their user base.

Yes, how dare Nintendo offer early adopters a chance to test a highly anticipated game in such a way that will help them work out launch day issues!

Nintendo should be shut down, all their employees arrested, their offices should be razed to the ground and the earth below salted!"

From this sentence?

"Guinea pigs at the ready!"

You've got issues. And you had a go in another story. 2 attacks in as many minutes. See a doctor and get some fresh air!

@SLIGEACH_EIRE And you use too many exclamation points. See a copy editor!

@SLIGEACH_EIRE
There was nothing wrong with your first comment. That's how this site works write a comment and wait for the backlash
Tbh mate you are one of just a few ppl on here that tell it as it is because u don't have fanboy blinkers on. I say carry on been who you are don't go changing on me

These things always seem to have the absolute worst timing. I never bought the first Splatoon because the first testfire was at a terrible time. By the time the second one hit, the Wii U was dying and I wasn't going to buy a game that required servers to stay up. This one is back to the same stupid timing, not just time of day, but in the first month of the console release? So stupid.

@Alshain01 Let's be honest: Nintendo should actually be paying you for the honor of playing their game, right?

Awesome news. I remember the first global test fire and it was a blast and the fact the new one is coming out in the launch month for Switch makes it even better. Also I find it hilarious that grown men are whining about a 11:00pm test fire on a Saturday night like it's 3:00am or something. Also 11:00pm isn't too late for my 10 year old or my three year old either. Both are night owls and on the weekends I could care less if they stay up a little later, especially for something like this.

@Ralizah What?

Can you please update the article with UK times. If I'm not mistaken it should be:

March 24

7-7:59pm

March 25th

3-3:59am
11-11:59am
7-7:59pm

March 26th

4-4:59am
12-12:59pm

It's confusing because the clocks go forward in the US a couple of weeks before and then go forward on that weekend for the UK, so it's not the usual 8 or 5 hour difference for every timeslot.

This is fantastic news! I wanted to try out Splatoon 2 but didn't want to have to go to one of the regional events... now I can try it out in the comfort of my own home! I'll probably try playing in handheld mode for the daytime sessions, and docked for the evening sessions (possibly recording it too). Either 7pm or 8pm UK time would be perfect for me.

Great news. Should get some hardcore Splatoon fans on board the Switch early.

Not sure if my Switch will arrive by then but awesome news. After the testfires are over they should have an online demo or more free weekends like Overwatch did, as that was what sold me on that game.

I am also hoping this means it hits at the start of the summer.

don't think i've been this excited about anything ever!

Awesome! I don't usually play demos or betas, but I'll make an exception here.

@aaronsullivan All that butthurt from a single innocent sentence? LOL Me thinks that your priorities in life are a bit skewed

@Ralizah We're in the age where the consumer dictates when they consume media dum dum, and this demo schedule is inconvenient for many early adopters. No amount of snarky comment will change that fact.

@capitalism Great parenting. And they say Betsy Devos is going to hurt the childrens future. Parents have been doing a fine job of runing their children long before Betsy Devos

Never played to original so will probably give the demo a go. Dont really understand the premise of the game though, are you just painting the level or something?

@SCAssassin Thank God I didn't decide to cancel my pre-order. I would've been hating myself for that.

@powersgenty Yeah, I wrote a bunch but I thought it was an odd sentiment and completely incongruous with my own perspective as an early adopter so I jumped on the opportunity. Didn't think I came off as hurt or spiteful or anything, though. I tend to write what I think almost as fast as I think it and pairing it down just takes longer... it's my shorter posts I probably take more time on.

What will the amiibo do? I sold my "Inkling Squid" amiibo...