Splatoon 3: latest details, pictures, videos from the Squid Research Lab (Archives 3)
In this post, you will find all the latest details, pictures, and videos for Splatoon 3 shared by the Squid Research Lab between February 10th and March 29th. For the most recent updates, make sure to check out this post instead!
March 29th
Starting with the next Splatfest, all players (not just those who bought the Expansion Pass) will be able to discover a brand new battle theme: Liquid Sunshine (by the Squid Sisters feat. Ian BGM)!
March 23rd
Starting with the next Splatfest, players who bought the Expansion Pass will be able to discover two new songs by the Squid Sisters if they head to Inkopolis:
- First half: City of Colour ’23. A new version of the classic Splatfest song from the original Splatoon.
- Second half: Tomorrow’s Nostalgia Today. “The city in my memories is great, but it’s become even more beautiful. I want to tell it to all my friends who have left the city!” said Callie, who composed the lyrics of this brand new song. But it’s not just the song itself that’s new: the Squid Sisters also came up with a brand new dance!
February 23rd
Today’s new Weapons are:
- Tri-Slosher Nouveau (Sub: Fizzy Bomb / Special: Tacticooler)
- Neo Sploosh-o-matic (Sub: Squid Beakon / Special: Killer Wail 5.1)
Starting with the 2023 Spring Fresh Season, a Jukebox will be added to the Lobby. Pay 100G, and you will be able to change the music that plays in the Lobby. If you’re playing a private match with some friends, that change will also apply to them. This is your chance to show off your favourite tracks!
Also, Tableturf Battler is getting support for online play. A special area will open on the second floor of the Lobby. There, you can create a room for your friends and Pool pals, and take part in Tableturf Battlers matches together. A room can accomodate up to 10 players, who can play together or simply spectate others’ matches. And in case you’re wondering: yes, this new feature will also be available via The Shoal (though only for up to 8 players).
Speaking of Tableturf Battler, no less than 23 new cards will be added, including members of Deep Cut and characters from Inkopolis!
February 22nd
Manta Maria, one of the Stages from Splatoon 2, is making a comeback in Splatoon 3. In this Stage, you will get to battle onboard a magnificent sailboat, moored at the Inkopolis Harbour. It’s important to make good use of the huge masts and their nets. Some of the lifeboats can be inked, but be careful not to fall into the water. Even after all those years, Inklings and Octolings just can’t seem to get enough of sea battles… quite ironical for species that can’t even swim!
Today’s new Weapons are:
- Neo Splash-o-matic (Sub: Suction Bomb / Special: Triple Inkstrike)
- Custom Jet Squelcher (Sub: Toxic Mist / Special: Ink Storm)
February 21st
Just like the previous season, Spring 2023 Fresh Season will introduce a brand new stage: Um’ami Ruins. It’s set in a beautiful area in the desert, and is a popular tourist destination. All the valuable artefacts are protected by glass panes, so Inklings and Octolings can battle to their hearts’ content!
The remains that were excavated are surprisingly well-preserved, so much so that paint from ancient times is still visible. It appears Inklings and Octolings have been taking part in Turf War battles there since a long time ago…
Next, here’s two more new Weapons:
- L-3 Nozzlenose D: comes with Burst Bomb (Sub) and Ultra Stamp (Special)
- Rapid Blaster Deco: comes with Torpedo (Sub) and Inkjet (Special)
And that’s not all! Splatoon 3 is getting a new feature that can be used in the Lobby and Grizzco Industries: Pools. By entering a password, you can join a Pool. This allows you to send and receive notifications with the other players who also joined it, and you can even invite them to join a battle. This feature can be used to set up groups for regular battles, but also Eggstra Work events.
The password for Pools can be made of alphanumeric characters, hiragana, katakana, and some symbols. Here’s an example: if you enter “Turf War Heroes”, all players who also entered that password will get a notification.
Finally, the Anarchy Splatcast has been powered up. During Splatfests, the program will announce players who who won 10x matches. Make sure to give it a listen while you’re in the lobby!
February 20th
Z+F is a new brand created by the fusion of the Firefin and Zekko brands. It specialises in streetwear. Alongside cool Gear that embodies the culture of both brands (hip hop and skateboarding), this new brand also developed a new line of colourful, pop-style clothes.
As mentioned previously, the 2023 Spring Fresh Season brings a new Catalog with new Banners, new seasonal Gear, and more. As always, you can check its contents by selecting Catalog in the menu.
The new Seasons brings two more new Weapons:
- Z+F Splat Charger. Comes with Splash Wall (Sub) and Triple Inkstrike (Special). A variant of the Splat Charger created in collaboration with the Z+F brand. With the Splash Shield, you can easily deal with Weapons that have a longer range than yours. You can also use it to hide yourself while launching a devastating attack with the Triple Inkstrike!
- Z+F Splatterscope. Comes with Splash Wall (Sub) and Triple Inkstrike (Special). A variant of the Splatterscope created in collaboration with the Ezzocoli brand.
The 2023 Spring Fresh Season also includes some new content for Salmon Run: namely, a special event called Eggstra Work. It’ a contest where players form a team and try to tackle a fixed shift scenario and try to collect the most Golden Eggs. The first Eggstra Work will take place in April!
During that event, the shift scenario has 5 waves. Since it stays the same throughout the event, you and your teammates will have to come up with an appropriate strategy and work on your teamwork in order to get the highest score. All participants get a commemorative sticker as reward, with a different design based on the rank you achieved.
Finally, the new Season will introduce more rewards for you to spend your precious Fish Scales on. For example, there will be some pretty nostalgic work clothes, as well as unusual Gear.
February 17th
Here’s a look at some more new content to be added to the game as part of the 2023 Spring Fresh Season (which kicks off on March 1st worldwide):
- new Special Weapon: Super Chump: shoots a large number of decoys over a given area, which then fall down and stick to the ground. Those decoys are destroyed when attacked by your opponents, while those that remain untouched will self-destruct after a little while. When they explode, they scatter ink all around them. By the way, the landing points for the decoys are clearly marked on the ground with markers similar to the one used in Super Jumps. It takes a few moments for the launched decoys to fall down on the ground, so take advantage of that window of time when your opponents are distracted to start the confrontation from an advantageous position.
- new Weapon: N-ZAP89. Comes with Autobomb (Sub Weapon) and Super Chump (Special Weapon). A later model of the N-ZAP85, featuring a different colour scheme. The Sub Weapon allows you to manipulate your opponents and make full use of your mobility to fight. As for the Special Weapon, it’s really useful for both supporting your allies and your own battles.
- new Weapon: Clash Blaster Neo. Comes with Curling Bomb (Sub Weapon) and Super Chump (Special Weapon). A variant of the Clash Blaster with an emblem on it. The Sub Weapon allows you to quickly move towards the spot where you launched the decoys from the Special Weapon. A good combination for players who like to fight with flashy explosions!
- new Gear. Just like the previous season, 2023 Spring Fresh Season will introduce a lot of new Gear, to be found in the various shops across Splatsville (and Inkopolis). This time, players will get to discover lots of Gear that’s popular in Inkopolis! Also, starting with this Season, all Gear shops will offer a selection of nine items. It looks like it will be easy for you to find some Inkopolis-style Gear.
- new decorations for your lockers. This time, the focus is on familiar items related to club activites at school, such as a basket ball, Lacrosse Sticks, guitars, and more. Naturally, you can combine those new decorations with those of the current season, or start from scratch if you prefer.
February 16th
The next Season is the 2023 Spring Fresh Season, and it kicks off on March 1st! It brings some extremely fresh content to the game: new Special Weapons, new Weapons, new stages, new Gear, and even some brand new features!
Here’s the new Special Weapon and the two new Weapons being added as part of the new season:
- New Special Weapon: Kraken Royale. Allows you to transform into a giant squid or octopus, and ram into your opponents. You can launch a spinning attack while jumping, which is less powerful but offers a wider range. By pressing the ZR button, you can charge an attack, and defeat opponents in one hit! You’re left vulnerable before and after the transformation, damage dealt by opponents is nullified once the transformation is complete. However, attacks still slow you down, so you need to combine actions such as Squid Rolls and Squid Surges to corner opponents!
- New Weapon: Krak-On Splat Roller. Comes with Squid Beakon (Sub Weapon) and Kraken Royale (Special Weapon). A collaboration with the Krak-On brand. Using the Squid Beakon, you can take down opponents who let their guard down, while the Special Weapon allows you to hit enemies from the sides, giving you a chance at breaking their formation.
- New Weapon: .96 Gal Deco. Comes with Splash Wall (Sub Weapon) andKraken Royale (Special Weapon). The Splash Wall allows you to keep your distance with opponents, with the Special Weapon giving you a chance at turning the tide of battle in one go!
February 15th
In Inkopolis, it’s the Squid Sisters that host the Splatfests. The Squid Sisters is an idol duo made of Callie (naive) and Marie (cool). They’ve gained lots of popularity with their easy-going talks and their outstanding singing skills. They’re top idols that everyone knows about.
Also, it’s been announced that Wave 1 of the Expansion Pass for Splatoon 3, which includes Inkopolis, will launch on February 28th!
February 14th
Today, another resident of Inkopolis is introduced:
- Spyke: he made quite a lot of money by dabbing in various business, but it appears he’s already used most of it. He took on some rather extravagant hobbies, but one day, he suddenly lost interest and decided to move back to Inkopolis. Players will find him in that familiar back alley, and like in the original Splatoon, you can go and see him for all your Gear-related needs.
February 13th
Today, two more residents of Inkopolis are introduced:
- Jelonzo
The stylish proprietor of Jelly Fresh, an Inkopolis clothing shop. His hobbies include fashion, fixing up his single-family home, and studying language arts—he’s one of a few jellyfish who speaks Inkling and Octoling!
- Fred Crumbs
He’s newly filleted and deep-fried, as the job posting at Shrimp Kicks called for someone with “extra-crispy” fashion sense. Despite this misunderstanding, Fred knows his shoes, and is reportedly pleased that he can now wear both a left and a right.
February 10th
Starting today, the Squid Research Lab are going to introduce the residents of Inkopolis (which is coming to Splatoon 3 as part of the Expansion Pass):
- Shelly and Donny
With Sheldon working in Splatsville, his protégés, Shelly and Donny, now run Ammo Knights in Inkopolis! The little cuties really look up to Sheldon, so don’t be surprised if they seem familiar. They clearly share Sheldon’s love of weapons!
- Annie
And here are two familiar faces—Annie and Moe from Cooler Heads, the Inkopolis headgear shop! Annie has leaned into her love of gothic metal and changed her style. She also moonlights as a sysop for SplatNet and adds decals to weapons on the side. As for Moe? Still a clown fish.
Splatoon 3 (Switch) is now available worldwide.