Splatoonhas quickly become one of Nintendo’s most surprising and delightful franchises. Ten years on from its debut on the Wii U,Splatoonhas slotted itself as one of Nintendo’s premier multiplayer franchises with its unique paintball-influenced gameplay. The franchise’s two follow-ups on the Nintendo Switch have also become some of the highest-selling games on the system, and the series has also seen representation in Nintendo’s crossover fighting franchise,Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Withall the success thatSplatoonhas hadcoming up on its tenth anniversary - especially on the Switch - Nintendo is sure to keep theSplatoontrain right on rolling on the Nintendo Switch 2. Even so, it doesn’t seem like the publisher is doing so right away, at least not in the form of a wholly new game. Even so, Nintendo may actually be best served sticking to this approach, and not rushing out the nextSplatoongame on the Switch 2.
Splatoon 4 Could Play The Waiting Game On The Switch 2
Splatoon 3 Already Took Its Time To Release
The recent Nintendo Switch 2 Directcame and went without any announcements related toSplatoon. While 2025 could’ve been the perfect time to release the next game considering that the franchise celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, it looks like Nintendo will not release the next title within the new system’s launch window. While this may be disappointing news for hardcore fans, Nintendo can afford to play the waiting game with this new entry.
After all,Splatoon 3took five years to releasefollowing its predecessor’s arrival early in the Switch’s life. Of course, at least a portion of that longer wait may have been influenced by it being in development during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the long wait certainly didn’t affect the game’s overall performance. After all, it became the fastest-selling game in the series upon its eventual release in 2022.
Splatoon 4 Has A Chance To Be A Major Innovation
Splatoon 4could also afford to take its timebecause a longer development will allow Nintendo to innovate much more deeply. Being a multiplayer-focused title,Splatoonhas often benefited from releasing content in such quick succession, especially in the form of its expansions.Splatoonfans have definitely been fed as far as content is concerned, so Nintendo could be as patient as it feels it needs to be with this new game.
It’s also worth pointing out that the previousSplatoonsequels have largely stuck to the first game’s formula. Even with the occasional change-up here and there - and the very polished nature of the games -Splatoonhas not innovated in a major way with its two Switch sequels. Giving the fourth game a longer development cycle would allow Nintendo to take its time and build aSplatoongame that stands out compared to its predecessors.
Splatoon 4could also afford to take its time because a longer development will allow Nintendo to innovate much more deeply.
Nintendo Could Give Splatoon 3 A Switch 2 Edition
If Nintendo wants to tideSplatoonfans over while developing the fourth game, the publisher could very well releasea Nintendo Switch 2 Edition ofSplatoon 3closer to the console’s launch. Even though Nintendo has announced that the game will not be receiving any new content, a Switch 2 Edition can help extend its multiplayer life just a bit longer while Splatoon 4 takes its time to come together. Furthermore, having a Switch 2 version ofSplatoon 3could benefit from the use of mouse controls and the system’s capability to play games at 120 frames per second.
Splatoon 4may take its time to releaseon the Switch 2, and fans may have to stick toSplatoon 3for now if they want their fix. Still, a longer wait could spell good news for the next entry, as it gives Nintendo a chance to avoid letting the franchise get incredibly stagnant. Hopefully, the extra time results inSplatoon 4becoming the best entry in the franchise yet.
