
Kids and squids alike will no doubt be looking forward to Splatoon 3, the latest game in Nintendo's family-friendly shooter series that's headed to Switch later this year. If you're super keen, you'll be pleased to know that pre-orders for the title have started to appear at a number of retailers.
Nintendo has now confirmed that the game will hit stores on 9th September 2022, and more and more pre-order options are now available as a result. If you're wanting to secure your order in good time, keep on reading.
Pre-Order Splatoon 3 In The US
Pre-orders are now live at both Amazon and GameStop, as seen below. We'll add more options to this article as we get closer to launch.
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Pre-Order Splatoon 3 In The UK
The game's also available from Amazon in the UK with a pre-order price guarantee, although you can already get it cheaper elsewhere if you prefer.
Are There Any Splatoon 3 Special Editions On Switch?
No special editions for the game have been released just yet, but we wouldn't be surprised to see Nintendo come up with something special for it. If anything does materialise, we'll make sure to feature it right here in this guide.
Are There Any Pre-Order Bonuses For Splatoon 3?
No pre-order bonuses have been revealed for the game just yet, but we'll make sure to update this article as and when any are announced.
Get Practicing For Splatoon 3
If you're excited for Splatoon 3 and want to get some practice in before it arrives in stores, remember that Splatoon 2 is still available on Nintendo Switch. You can pick up a copy below.
If you need convincing, Nintendo dropped some brand new extended footage for the game to celebrate the release date announcement. And yes, it's looking pretty great!
Are you excited for Splatoon 3? Let us know with a comment below.
Comments (43)
This is definitely a day 1 buy for me. I just hope that the story mode is half as good as Octo Expansion was.
@StarPoint The story mode has progressively gotten better in each game so I'm sure this will have the best one yet!
Now because of pre orders, does that means the release date is soon? late may early June?
Ehh, I'll wait to see what they add. Can't believe they used footage of a mode that's literally already in Splatoon 2 to advertise a new $60 sequel during the Direct.
Awesome box art!!
Anyone know if this has co-op mode for battles? Like a player signed in as a guest like other consoles allow?
I can’t find anything other than co-op for salmon run
@Ralizah I have a feeling that was just a teaser and before release we'll get a massive blowout trailer showing off the new stuff, but if I'm honest I'm just glad to know Salmon Run is definitely returning as it's my favourite mode in the game.
Guess that means it gonna release soon.
@gameboy-x I couldn't imagine this one releasing in late summer. Definitely feels like a late May/ early June release to me.
I still haven't even finished the campaign of Splatoon 1 (which to be fair is just way too basic, as fun as the core gameplay is) and I have Splatoon 2 still sealed, but I'm going to buy this day one because ... I don't know? But I will.
For anyone wondering, ShopTo gives you the option to delay payment until the game is dispatched. Great for making sure you've reserved your copy at the best price but keeping your options open for any better offers later!
Guy with woomy username is tempted by pre-order.
Still waiting for definitive edtion Splatoon 2+Octo on cartridge, like japan got last November-ish.
I am a huge Splatoon fan and a huge physical collector, but I think I am going to go digital this time. I want Splatoon 3 always ready to launch on my Switch.
Since it's a first party game, I'll wait a little while to see what Nintendo UK Store has to offer for bonuses.
365games have had pre-orders open for ages now though!
Im no good at the turf war mode, so if i pick it up it will be for the story. I will give it a try
I wish Nintendo would offer a discount to those of us who'd like to buy both physical and digital. Rather than paying $60 usd twice, how about $100 for both?
I'm still wondering what exactly they're going to do with this one to warrant a new entry on the same system, Nintendo usually doesn't do that unless they have a lot of new ideas for the next entry.
@WoomyNNYes Why do you want to buy both physical and digital games?
@gameboy-x Summer this year doesn't start until June 21st and we already have Fire Emblem Warriors Three Hopes coming on June 24th so Splatoon 3 will be July at the earliest.
Please add me to the 'Wait and see' list. I like Splatoon. I have 1 and 2, but to-date I've only managed about 60 hours across the 2 games, so I don't feel I find myself getting enough out of them to get in early with 3. Really wanting some local multi-player (off a single purchase of the game), either offline or on.
@gameboy-x So I have one for my Koenigsegg and one for home. Jk, looked at your page. Just messing with you.
For my most favorite games, I buy physical, so I'll always have them. I'm not a collector type, so, that's not a lot of games. But with games that I play very often, like Splatoon 2, I also really like the handiness of having Splatoon stored digitally, so it's always ready to go - no fumbling with game cards.
With physical ownership, in the long term, your game won't die with the console or nintendo switch eshop.
Anyone else dreading another wave of amiibo?
@WoomyNNYes Lol you had me confused for a minute. That is a good idea not going to lie.
@Otoemetry Yeah, I expect they'll highlight new stuff in a specialized presentation as well. I'm just amazed they chose to highlight Salmon Run to promote a new game. I know it's a popular mode, but it's already fully accessible to people who own Splatoon 2. It's cool if they include it in the new game, but if I'm buying it, it'll be for new and unique content I couldn't access in the older games.
To that end, I hope S3 has at least one new mode that's genuinely fun like Salmon Run and not just aimed at high-level competitive play.
It still amazes me how Splatoon games handle all of these below just by implementing ink in the game:
And the list could go on…
OFFLINE battles against BOTS this time? No? I won´t buy.
Can't wait. I just hope there's a new ranked mode in there from the off, rather than having to wait for it to release like Clam Blitz.
As for the map rotation, I'm fine with 2 hours but I'd like to see maps/modes overlap so you've always got a choice of 2 modes to play. They each stay up for 2 hours but one rotates out every hour. If there is a new ranked mode, then we'll have 5. So it would really suck having to wait 8 hours for your favourite mode to appear again.
@Ralizah I think with how universally beloved Salmon Run is across the Splatoon community I would be surprised if they didn't iterate on the concept somewhat, co-op battles like that appeal to more people than the ultra competitive ranked modes so I reckon we'll see other forms of co-op.
If I'm totally honest I think I might just have preferred another large DLC like the Octo-expansion, but I'll wait to see what else is included within the game before I come to any conclusions.
I'm going to need to see more info personally.
This still just looks like Splatoon 2.5 to me.. maybe even less.
I'm waiting for eShop pre-orders to open up for Splatoon 3.
@gameboy-x Nintendo already has two games in June so definitely not June.
I played the hell out of 2 so looking forward to something new in 3. Not interested in the story, I'm there for the multiplayer. Love it.
@Clark2k I agree. Splatoon might be one of the most cleverly designed games I have ever played. I find it amazing that the game wasn't even originally intended to have squid characters, they fit so well with the game.
defo gonna pre-order from gamestop soon. can’t wait to play splatoon 3 in the summer! ♡
@Troll_Decimator Shame.. Splatoon 1 has one of the best final bosses of all-time.
@Clark2k It’s one of the most elegant designs for both mechanics and resource management in modern gaming and for all of Splatoon’s success and popularity it still doesn’t get enough credit from that perspective.
It has more depth than any shooter I can think of, particularly with movement, and pulls 95% of it’s actions off with two buttons.
@Spiders I have enjoyed the bosses quite a bit, but the other levels are mostly terrible to be honest. And it's a shame because the gameplay is great but the level design is just too basic.
Splatoon 2 came with a T-shirt or baseball cap from the Nintendo uk store so will wait and see if they do the same this time. I’ve also bought a couple of unofficial splatoon tees from Redbubble based on some of the in game brands - so cool.
@Troll_Decimator I actually really like most of the levels but I hate the overworld where you have to "find" the levels... when I can get into a match in seconds I don't have the time to putz around looking for the stages. Octo Expansion does a really good job getting you right into the action and has tighter level design and hopefully Splatoon 3 considers this.
1,200+ hours in I've literally only played the single player in Splatoon 2 when I had internet outages and have been very lucky:)
This will make a fine addition to my collection.
Feels like this basically swapped places with Xenoblade in the release schedule but I'm really looking forward to both so I'm fine with it.
@Clark2k I couldn't agree more. My son and I just played a few hours ago and he remarked similarly. Verticality and "chase" are two I would add. Good eye and Good Inking!
I need splatoon 3!!!!
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