Splatoon 3

Our analysis

More of the same refined to borderline mechanical perfection, with a slicker lobby, better Salmon Run and a stronger single-player campaign at a rock-solid 60fps; it lacks one big new idea but is the pinnacle of the series and of shooters on Switch.

Our analysis

The single-player campaign is the standout, offering roughly eight hours of witty, inventive, and increasingly challenging levels that creatively repurpose the series' ink mechanics and new weapons like the tri-stringer, with memorable boss fights worth experiencing firsthand. The campaign is welcoming to newcomers yet provides a genuine workout for veterans in its later stages. Levels can feel like abstract whitebox sketches that never fully realize their potential, but they remain a joy to play, and new lobbies and lockers add polish to the multiplayer.

Our analysis

A fast-paced, addictive continuation that remains as fresh as ever, anchored by the excellent Turf War design, a wide and varied weapon arsenal, and a familiar-but-expanded single-player campaign that doubles as a strong introduction to its mechanics. Salmon Run co-op and superb audiovisual presentation are highlights. The main drawbacks are that it follows its predecessor's formula a bit too closely and that Splat Fests, particularly the new Tricolor Turf Wars, suffer from frustrating matchmaking issues.