A new Splatoon game is here and that means we’re restarting with a smaller pool of maps for online multiplayer. The good news is that Nintendo will be issuing free updates for Splatoon 3 over the next two years, adding more and more maps for Turf War and Anarch Battles (Splatfests too!) Here’s a list of what maps are currently available in Splatoon 3 as well as a look at future maps and the map rotation schedule.
What maps are available in Splatoon 3 starting on December 1st at 4 p.m. PT | 7 p.m. ET?
With the start of the Chill Season 2022, Splatoon 3 will have a total of 14 maps (compared to its initial 12 at launch). Of these 14 maps, 6 are brand new for Splatoon 3. The remaining 8 are from Splatoon and/or Splatoon 2.
Here is the complete list of what maps are available starting on Thursday, December 1st, 2022 at 4 p.m. PT | 7 p.m. ET (in order of their Splatoon 3 in-game debut):
- Scorch Gorge (new, debuting in Splatoon 3)
- Eeltail Alley (new, debuting in Splatoon 3)
- Hagglefish Market (new, debuting in Splatoon 3)
- Undertow Spillway (new, debuting in Splatoon 3)
- Mincemeat Metalworks (new, debuting in Splatoon 3)
- Hammerhead Bridge (from Splatoon)
- Museum d’Alfonsino (from Splatoon)
- Mahi-Mahi Resort (from Splatoon)
- Inkblot Art Academy (from Splatoon 2)
- Sturgeon Shipyard (from Splatoon 2)
- MakoMart (from Splatoon 2)
- Wahoo World (from Splatoon 2)
- Flounder Heights (from Splatoon)
- Brinewater Springs (new, debuting in Splatoon 3)
What maps are available when Splatoon 3 launches?
A total of 12 different maps will be available in Turf War and Anarchy Battle modes. For Salmon Run maps, you can check out our Salmon Run guide.
Of these 12 maps, 5 are brand new for Splatoon 3. The remaining 7 are from Splatoon and/or Splatoon 2.
- Scorch Gorge (new, debuting in Splatoon 3)
- Eeltail Alley (new, debuting in Splatoon 3)
- Hagglefish Market (new, debuting in Splatoon 3)
- Undertow Spillway (new, debuting in Splatoon 3)
- Mincemeat Metalworks (new, debuting in Splatoon 3)
- Hammerhead Bridge (from Splatoon)
- Museum d’Alfonsino (from Splatoon)
- Mahi-Mahi Resort (from Splatoon)
- Inkblot Art Academy (from Splatoon 2)
- Sturgeon Shipyard (from Splatoon 2)
- MakoMart (from Splatoon 2)
- Wahoo World (from Splatoon 2)
How often will maps rotate?
Just like Splatoon 2, maps will be available in groups of two and are swapped out every two hours. Map selection will be different for Turf War Battles, Anarchy Battles, and their different versions (Pro, Splat Zones, Tower Control, etc.). It currently appears that Tri-color Turf War matches will take place on one map, but this could change during future Splatfests.
You can check the current map set in-game, or use the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app’s SplatNet3 app. You can also check upcoming rotations this way (but you’re limited to only so far in the future – we’re waiting for the full release of SplatNet3 to confirm the details).
Can I tour maps prior to playing a match?
Yes, you can explore maps for up to 60 minutes at a time thanks to the Recon Guide feature. They’re located in the Splatsville hub in front of Hotlantis (look for the blue banner). Speak to the pink-orange fish-like character there and you’ll be prompted to select which map you want to explore.
What maps will be available next in Splatoon 3?
Two new maps will debut on Thursday, December 1st, 2022 at 4 p.m. PT | 7 p.m. ET when Splatoon 3’s Chill Season begins. These maps are the previously teased Flounder Heights (which originally debuted in Splatoon) and the newly revealed Brinewater Springs.
First row: Flounder Heights. Second row: Brinewater Springs. Images from Splatoon 3’s Chill Season 2022 announcement trailer.
Previously, during the Splatoon 3 Direct in August 2022, Nintendo teased two unnamed stages (at the time) that would be released in a future update. One (on the left) looked to be an updated version of Flounder Heights (from Splatoon), which made it into the Chill Season 2022 update. The other looked like a brand new area somewhere in The Splatlands. This new stage has yet to appear in any Splatoon 3 news, trailers, etc., and may make an appearance in 2023.
For more map announcements, look out for official announcements from Nintendo on social media and/or via the official Splatoon website.
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Written by Jennifer Burch
Illustrator, designer, writer and big Nintendo geek, you can find Jennifer with an N3DS within reach 24/7. As the oldest of three, she has survived many Mario Party, Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart sessions intact in addition to getting her brothers hooked on some really weird games. (Cubivore anyone?)
