Splatoon 3: all you need to know about the DLC and the Expansion Pass

Like most major Nintendo games on Nintendo Switch, Splatoon 3 is getting the Expansion Pass treatment. It’s made of two parts: Inkopolis (with the hub from the original Splatoon making a comeback), and Side Order (a new Single Player campaign).

On this page, you will find all there is to know about the DLC and Expansion Pass for Splatoon 3: list of DLC sets, price, release timing, and more!

Important note: you need to download the latest update to be able to access the DLC! Check out this post for more details.
For the list of free additional content, check out this post instead!

Splatoon 3 – Expansion Pass

• Release date: February 8th 2023 (North America) / February 9th 2023 (Europe, Japan)
• Price: 24.99€ / £19.99 / $24.99 / CA$31.99 / 3 000 Yen
• Contents: all the DLC Packs listed below

NB: as usual with Expansion Passes from Nintendo, each set of DLC can not be purchased separately. Also, the content will only be available on the day it’s released (check out below for more details), and you do not get early access by buying the Expansion Pass.

Also, keep in mind you need to download the relevant Software updates before you can access the various bits of DLC. You will find which version you need in the list below!

Splatoon 3 – DLC Waves

DLC Wave #0 – Handy Items

• Release date: February 8th 2023 (North America) / February 9th 2023 (Europe, Japan)
• Requires: Ver. 2.1.1 or more recent
• Contents:
  • 123,000 Cash (in-game currency)
  • 3 double XP food tickets
  • 1 of each drink ticket

DLC Wave #1 – Inkopolis

• Release date: February 27th 2023 (North America) / February 28th 2023 (Europe, Japan)
• Requires: Ver. 3.0.0 or more recent
• Contents:
  • New hub: Inkopolis (from the original Splatoon). The Squid Sisters also show up for Splatfests!

DLC Wave #2 – Side Order

• Release date: February 21st 2024 (North America) / February 22nd 2024 (Europe, Japan)
• Requires: Ver. 7.0.0 or more recent
• Contents:
  • New Single Player campaign: Side Order

Challenge your slick skills in this new single-player campaign. Introducing the Spire of Order, where you’ll strengthen your character’s abilities as you ascend the Spire’s floors again and again.

A gruesome army awaits Agent 8 and Pearl as they scale the Spire of Order to uncover the truth behind a world drained of its colour.

In Side Order, you play as Agent 8, a resident of Inkopolis who wakes up in a new “world of order,” where the color spectrum goes from white to … a little less white to … kinda gray to … well, that’s pretty much it. What’s an Octoling to do? Figure out how to bring a little color back into the picture, that’s what! Alongside a drone who claims to be Off the Hook member Pearl, Agent 8 must battle to the top of the Spire of Order against hordes of surprising enemies and obstacles.
 
On each floor of the Spire there are objectives that change each time you make an attempt, and they get harder the higher you climb. Objectives may include defeating enemies, securing specific areas for a set amount of time, and overcoming other skill-testing challenges. Use the color chips you receive to customize your Palette to your liking with enhancements such as increased firing speed, raised damage output and more. Fail to reach the top and you’ll have to start over – but the color chips you collect will be converted into a currency that can be exchanged for some permanent and helpful upgrades. Those upgrades might just give you a fighting chance of reaching the top next time around.
 
Designed to be replayed over and over as you update Agent 8 with powerful (and colorful) abilities, Side Order is a fun, challenging way to level up your Splatoon skills, for newcomers and vets alike.