Splatoon 3
Image: Nintendo

To say the Splatoon franchise has become a breakthrough hit for Nintendo since its debut on the Wii U back in 2015 would be somewhat of an understatement. Although the first entry sold modest numbers, all told, its focus on fast-paced multiplayer with a unique spin resonated with fans worldwide and has since grown exponentially in popularity in the years since.

The latest title, Splatoon 3, has become the fastest selling Nintendo Switch game in Japan, according to Nintendo. In a post on its official corporate website, the company confirms that Splatoon 3 has surpassed an extraordinary 3.45 million units sold within the first three days domestically. This includes both physical and digital copies of the game.

Here's the official announcement from Nintendo:

"Nintendo Co., Ltd. (HQ: Kyoto, Minami-ku, Japan; Representative Director and President: Shuntaro Furukawa) announced that domestic sales of the Splatoon 3 game for the Nintendo Switch system have surpassed 3.45 million units in the first three days since its launch on September 9, 2022. This is the highest domestic sales level for any Nintendo Switch software within the first three days."

Indeed, as pointed out by Jon Cartwright from Good Vibe Games, the number is fast approaching the total worldwide sales figures for the first Splatoon, which sits at 4.95 million. To sell such an incredible amount within just three days is simply astonishing - and only in Japan! It just goes to show how insanely popular the Splatoon franchise is right now. Over in the UK, the game has also topped the physical charts for the week, marking a similarly strong debut for the game in the west.

In other news, it was recently confirmed that Xenoblade Chronicles 3 studio Monolith Soft helped out on Splatoon 3's development after the game popped up on its official website. This makes Splatoon 3 the eighth Nintendo Switch game the company has provided support for. For more in-depth information around the history of Monolith Soft, be sure to check out our feature piece for all the details.

What do you make of Splatoon 3's splat-tactic performance so far? Head on down to the comments and let us know!

[source nintendo.co.jp]