Update (Wednesday, February 8th, 2023 at 5:14 p.m. PT | 8:14 p.m. ET): The Splatoon 3: Expansion Pass is now live via Nintendo’s online store and Nintendo eShop! It is priced at $24.99.
February 2023’s Nintendo Direct was a pretty packed presentation of games, DLC, and more releasing during the first half of 2023 (for the most part). Splatoon 3 got its own segment, and while one might think it would be about the game’s next season (starting on February 28th, 2023 at 4 p.m. PT | 7 p.m. ET), it wasn’t. It was something even better – a partial breakdown of Splatoon 3’s DLC!
Releasing in two waves, Wave 1 is a return to Inkopolis Plaza (the original Splatoon’s main hub). According to the official press release from Nintendo, “You can make this splat-tastic place from the original Splatoon game your stomping ground.” The original shops will return as well, but with some slight changes – either new are faces subbing in (specifically for Sheldon and Crusty Sean) or the dearly missed shopkeepers are sporting the latest Inkopolis fashions (Jelonzo and Annie with Moe). The hub will see a few other changes to account for what Splatoon 3 has to offer – mainly Salmon Run and Tableturf Battles.
Let’s not forget about Callie, Marie, and Spyke! You can spot Callie and Marie on set in the Inkopolis studio and Spyke will be ready to get you the right gear… for the right price. Also, whenever a Splatfest is actively happening and you’re in Inkopolis Plaza, Callie and Marie will be dancing on their own massive big truck stage sets (just like during the Splatfests of Splatoon). Currently, Wave 1 Inkopolis is scheduled for release in Spring 2023.
As for Wave 2, it’s dubbed Side Order and will be a new single-player campaign. We were only given about 50 seconds of footage on an Octoling (Agent 8 from Splatoon 2’s Octo Expansion DLC or Marina or someone new?) in Inkopolis Square inter-spliced with artwork of Pearl, Marina, and various scenes. As for Inkopolis Square (Splatoon 2’s hub), it looks rather… different. All white with random bits of coral growing and fishing “swimming” by. No release date for this wave was given.
The Splatoon 3: Expansion Pass will be available to pre-order starting today. As of this posting, it isn’t live just yet! Though, keep in mind that when purchasing the Splatoon 3: Expansion Pass, Squid- and Octo-kids will get some additional items. Nintendo disclosed that perk in a tweet, stating that “players will receive access to bonus in-game currency, plus food and drink tickets.”
Jump into Splatoon 3 today and enjoy the first part of the game’s DLC later this spring.
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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?)
