Splatoon

Platforms

• Nintendo Wii U

  May 29, 2015

  ---

  8.6

  playscore

  8.1

  51 Critics

  9.7

  76.9K Players

51 critic reviews · 11 community reviews across all platforms

Critic Reviews

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  IGN

  8.6

  Nintendo’s take on the third-person shooter is refreshingly original, with lots of impressive tools, skillful mobility, and creative maps to play with. Matches are consistently fun and tense, and the mechanics feel simple and fair enough that almost anyone can contribute positively. Not having voice chat is a bummer, but the great modes and maps feel polished and kept me claiming turf for hours.

  Reviewed on Wii U

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• 

  Polygon

  8.5

  As of launch, though, Splatoon has enough going for it between the single-player and multiplayer to keep me happy. Nintendo has built two separate gameplay tracks that use the same mechanic yet feel discrete. They’re both a ton of fun, and they both have some obvious areas ripe for improvement. I can’t say whether Splatoon will become the next big franchise for Nintendo, with sequels every generation and spin-offs and endless fanboy buzz. But after this strong debut, it certainly deserves some attention.

  Reviewed on Wii U

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• 

  GameSpot

  8.0

  Online matches are the core of the game, so it may seem weird that it's so easy to overlook things like missing voice chat, but I would be a fool to let missing features get in the way of the readily available joy I feel from simply swimming and shooting. ...Splatoon is the antithesis to the modern shooter, but it primarily deserves recognition for what it is, not what it isn't. It's a wonderful game with charm and inventive ideas that work and pave the way for new experiences in an otherwise stale category of games.

  Reviewed on Wii U

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• 

  Hardcore Gamer

  8.0

  Splatoon is all about staying fresh, and despite its lack of content somehow manages to remain just as appealing after twenty hours as it was in its first. Its core gameplay is so unwaveringly solid that it’s bound to only become better as more maps, weapons and modes are released in the months after launch, but even now Splatoon might just be Wii U’s long-awaited killer app.

  Reviewed on Wii U

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  TechRaptor

  8.0

  Splatoon feels like a 5-star meal, but the waiter only brought out the main course, promising the side dishes will be ready soon. The steak is still good, but the veggies and potatoes are noticeably absent and that absence detracts for the overall experience. The game has a spirit and energy that few games these days can compare to, and the fun and novel concept of competing to cover the field in ink is surprisingly addictive.

  Reviewed on Wii U

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• 

  Giant Bomb

  8.0

  It's been a minute since a game in this genre felt so vibrantly and positively energetic. That positivity permeates every piece of Splatoon, from its brightly colored, cartoonishly animated visuals, to even its hub world.... Splatoon is simultaneously proof that Nintendo can still deliver tremendously entertaining experiences outside of its usual wheelhouse, and an example of how even the most leaden genres can be twisted to new and delightfully creative ends.

  Reviewed on Wii U

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  Nintendo World Report

  9.0

  Overall, Splatoon makes for an amazing online game, likely the most engaging online experience Nintendo has ever made. The multiplayer, regardless of its lack of voice chat or randomized parties, is sublime, successfully making a shooter that is easy to hop into but tough to master. The single-player might be short and linear, but it’s a wonderful change of pace from the frenzy of online play.

  Reviewed on Wii U

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• 

  Game Informer

  7.8

  While the multiplayer falls short on content, the single-player campaign is surprisingly engaging, featuring 27 stages with creative design. These levels feature a strong mix of platforming, puzzle-solving, and shooting. ...As entertaining as it is fast-paced, Splatoon is a strong addition to the Wii U lineup. My enjoyment of what Splatoon has to offer is only offset by Nintendo’s scant offering out of the gate.

  Reviewed on Wii U
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  Dual Shockers

  8.0

  Playing through Splatoon felt smooth and that’s because the game is running at a dreamy and stable 60 frames per second. ...Despite the lack of content at launch, the title is incredibly fun. Even if there are only two modes available so far, the gameplay is so unique that a purchase is worthwhile. I do believe it could have more potential if it included voice chat or an extra mode or two at launch, but past that, Splatoon has the kind of longevity that will keep me playing for a long time.

  Reviewed on Wii U

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  Cheatcc

  7.2

  For its merit, it has that simple, pure, fun factor that keeps me coming back, even after memorizing every nuance of each board. Yet with a sparse selection of maps, a single match type for each mode, and what feels like a dousing of turpentine on character customization and choice, in the end Splatoon feels like purchasing an expensive gallon of paint, only to crack open the lid and find just a quart of paint within. Nintendo promises to fill that can at no extra charge, but unfortunately that means day one purchasers will go home and start painting, only to feel like the job is half finished.

  Reviewed on Wii U

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Community Reviews

About the game