If you're a Splatoon 3 fan and own the new Nintendo Switch 2, you're in for a fresh splash of upgrades. Nintendo has rolled out Update 10.0.0, bringing enhanced visuals and performance specifically optimized for the Switch 2, along with a range of exciting new features and balance adjustments to keep your ink-fueled battles fresh and competitive.
One of the most noticeable improvements is the boosted resolution for screenshots saved in the Switch 2 Album when using Photo Mode or the Capture Button. Whether you're capturing epic Turf War moments or just showing off your latest squidForce look, your images will now appear crisper and more detailed than ever before.
In addition to visual enhancements, the update brings smoother on-screen movement across key areas like Splatsville, Inkopolis, Inkopolis Square, and Grand Festival Grounds. Animations have also received a polish—especially for characters such as jellyfish and Salmonids, ensuring that even during chaotic Salmon Run waves, everything runs with greater fluidity. The scene transition animation in the bottom right corner of the screen has also been refined for a more seamless experience.
For players still enjoying Splatoon 3 on the original Nintendo Switch, certain non-essential background elements have been hidden during Splat Zones, Tower Control, Rainmaker, and Clam Blitz modes to help maintain performance parity with the Switch 2. However, Recon Mode retains all visual elements as before.
New Content & Features
This update isn’t just about performance—it adds some great new content too:
- The classic stage Urchin Underpass makes a triumphant return from the original Splatoon on Wii U, giving longtime fans a nostalgic boost.
- Introducing 30 new weapons from the Barazushi and Emberz brands under the Splatlands Collection, available in shops post-update.
A major highlight of this patch is the introduction of the Series Weapon system in Anarchy Battle (Series) for players ranked S and above. This feature measures Series Weapon Power for each equipped weapon, matching players against others with similar power levels. It encourages diversity in weapon use and strategic playstyles, especially with the new additions from the Splatlands Collection.
Series Weapon Power resets with each season, but your highest scores are recorded via SplatNet 3, allowing you to track your progress over time. In Anarchy Battle (Open), Rank Points now change approximately 2.5x faster, offering quicker progression for competitive players.
Also new: Call signs now appear in X Battles instead of player nicknames during matches, based on equipped gear. After the match, you can view real names and IDs via the results menu.
SplatNet 3 Enhancements
- Best Nine is now displayed—a list of the nine weapons you own with the highest Series Weapon Power.
- Players can now see Best Nine rankings, competing for the total Series Weapon Power of their top weapons.
- Notifications from SplatNet 3 now appear directly in the notification center of the Nintendo Switch App.
Freshness System Expansion
The maximum Freshness level has been increased from ★★ to ★★★★★★★★★★ (10★), giving players more room to enhance their favorite weapons. New badges are now available for reaching Freshness levels 6★ through 10★, and additional achievements have been added for owning multiple weapons at ★★★★ or higher.
Weapons that had already surpassed the previous XP cap will automatically gain an appropriate amount of Freshness after one battle post-update.
To streamline social interactions, players who participated in Anarchy Battle (Series) and Splatfest Battle (Pro) will no longer appear in the "Users You Have Played With" section on Switch consoles.
Balance Changes in Multiplayer
Nintendo has made several balance tweaks based on gameplay data and community feedback:
- Adjustments to S-BLAST ‘92 and S-BLAST ‘91 provide opponents with more counter opportunities at various ranges.
- The Crab Tank’s cannon damage has been reduced, giving targeted players a better chance to evade. It's now easier to counter using other special weapons.
- Toxic Mist now consumes less ink, making it more viable in combination with main weapons. However, the ink recovery delay has been extended to prevent spamming tactics.
Bonus: A Sneak Peek at the Future
As a bonus surprise, Nintendo revealed Splatoon Raiders, a brand-new spin-off title exclusive to the Switch 2. The reveal came via a trailer released first on the Nintendo Today! App, though no release date was announced. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned for future updates.
With this comprehensive patch, Nintendo continues to show strong support for Splatoon 3, delivering meaningful optimizations for the Switch 2 while keeping the multiplayer experience balanced and engaging for all players across both platforms.
