News Articles
Wednesday21st Dec 2016
News Dark Horse is Bringing 'The Art of Splatoon' Book to the West
For squids or kids
Splatoon was a major success for Nintendo in 2015, generating significant buzz and establishing the IP as one that has a key role to play in the future. The gameplay is terrific, of course, but part of the appeal is also found in the hugely colourful environments and characters. Those that love the designs in Splatoon are now in...
Wednesday26th Oct 2016
News Splatoon Showdown Series On the Way in North America
Battlefy hosts an online spin on eSports
It's evident that Nintendo is eager to make steps into eSports. We've seen the company improve its support for the Super Smash Bros. and Pokkén Tournament scenes, and the recent Nintendo Switch preview trailer featured a Splatoon-centric competitive scenario at the end. It's a growing industry, and Nintendo...
Thursday13th Oct 2016
News Splatoon Producer Reflects on the Game's Popularity
A successfully launched IP
When Splatoon was announced at E3 2014, the game seemed to have been met with warm reception. Though there were some concerns over how online play would be handled, the game represented a refreshing new idea from Nintendo, and seemed like it would be an ideal killer app for the struggling Wii U. Now, nearly a year and a...
Wednesday14th Sep 2016
News Splatoon Version 2.12 is Now Live
Splatting those pesky bugs
Though the online community for Splatoon is still going strong, it's safe to say that the game has passed its prime. It got its last hurrah with the release of the new Callie and Marie amiibo this summer, and now that Splatfests are over, it seems that Nintendo has moved on (hopefully to make the sequel). That being said,...
Wednesday7th Sep 2016
News ESL Go4Splatoon Tournament Winners Will Get A Nintendo NX Console
The ultimate splatfest
This Sunday sees the start of the ESL Go4Splatoon Tournament, a six-month event which will end in a 2017 grand final to decide Europe's best Splatoon team. As if being recognised as one of the best Splatoon players in the world wasn't enough, the overall winners of this tournament will each receive a shiny new Nintendo NX...
Friday26th Aug 2016
Reminder The Splatoon Summer Testfire Demo is Now Live
If you're yet to ink in a purchase
We suspect that most with an interest in Splatoon bought it long ago, yet Nintendo is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to get as many Wii U owners as possible on board. A little while ago we shared the news that the Splatoon Testfire demo is returning for a Summer fling, so here's a reminder that it's live...
Wednesday17th Aug 2016
News Nintendo And ESL Team Up For Splatoon Online Tournaments In Europe
Prep those paint rollers once more
If you were sad about Splatoon Splatfest events coming to an end, then we have some good news for you - if you live in Europe, that is. Nintendo have teamed up with ESL, the world's largest esports company, to bring 6 months of Splatoon online tournaments for Euro gamers. At gamescom in Cologne, the top four...
Monday15th Aug 2016
News The Splatoon Testfire Demo is Coming Back for a Summer Fling
Another push for the inky shooter
Who remembers the Splatoon Testfire Demo? Released ahead of the main game, it gave eager fans an early look at the game's online play, while the timed windows gave Nintendo the opportunity to stress-test its servers. Surprising, the Testfire Demo is back, with multiple sessions planned during 25th to 28th August,...
Tuesday26th Jul 2016
Video Nintendo Wants You to Bask in Some Splatfest Nostalgia
There's a Squid Sisters song for every occasion
This past weekend Splatoon hosted its final Splatfest, the regular events that have allowed teams to put on snazzy virtual outfits and fight over topics such as pizza flavourings and favoured lifestyle choices. For plenty of Wii U owners the events have been a welcome regular routine, and their...
Monday25th Jul 2016
News With Splatfests Finished, Judd Is Now Your Source of Super Sea Snails in Splatoon
You have to earn them, though
The final Splatoon Splatfest ended with Team Marie victorious, with plenty of players taking off their team t-shirts, collecting their winnings and no doubt letting out a disappointed sigh. After more than a year of regular updates and Splatfests, the Wii U's colourful shooter is about to settle down and conclude its...
News Team Marie Triumphs in Splatoon's Final Splatfest
The end of an era
Since its release in May 2015, Splatoon has been a notable success for the Wii U. While the platform has struggled, those that do own the system have embraced Nintendo's colourful third-person shooter in a big way. The cultural impact - especially in Japan - has been significant, with amiibo, merchandise and even live concerts...
Thursday21st Jul 2016
Gallery Nintendo's Favourites in the Art Academy "Splatfest Memories" Event
Ink-redible
Over the past few weeks Nintendo has been running an Art Academy event on Miiverse to celebrate Splatoon, encouraging fans to show off their skills in honour of the Wii U title. Plenty evidently did, and Nintendo has picked out some favourites to show off just how talented some Wii U owners are. The big N's Miiverse team has picked out...
News The Stages for the Final Splatfest Have Been Announced
Kelp Dome! Moray Towers! Walleye Warehouse!
A couple weeks ago, it was announced that the final Splatfest for Splatoon would be taking place later this month. The news was disappointing to many, but it seems like Nintendo wants to make sure that it goes all out with this final celebration. As a result, fans were allowed to vote on what three stages...
Wednesday20th Jul 2016
Video The Squid Sisters Stay Fresh In These Splatoon Music Clips
Callie and Marie do their funky thing
Here's a friendly reminder that the final Splatfest happens this weekend from the Squid Sisters - Callie and Marie. Making sure that Splatoon stays fresh in your minds, Nintendo of Japan has released two videos with each sister performing their signature solo songs: Those were some funky moves. Will you be...
Sunday17th Jul 2016
Gallery A Look At HYPER JAPAN 2016
Nintendo out in full force
HYPER JAPAN is a wonderful cultural festival that celebrates everything Japanese, and returned to Olympia in London, UK for its three day summer showcase this past weekend. We've been to the show a couple of times before but this was our first time visiting the Olympia West Hall. Nintendo had a host of activities
Wednesday13th Jul 2016
News Culdcept Revolt Tops Japanese Charts as Splatoon Bundle Boosts Wii U Sales
Splat-tastic shooter back up to second in software results
With the middle of the week upon us we have the usual Japanese Media Create chart results, and this batch brings a mix of good and interesting news for Nintendo followers. First of all we have Culdcept Revolt on 3DS making its debut at number one, though the card-based strategy game has had...
Tuesday12th Jul 2016
Video Take a Look at the Awesome Splatoon - Squid Sisters Concert from Japan Expo 2016
Here's hoping Nintendo inks in more concert dates
Splatoon's success isn't just judged on unit sales, which are nevertheless impressive on the Wii U, but by its broader cultural impact. It's a new Nintendo IP that, it's safe to say, has struck a chord with the public and is likely to become a regular part of Nintendo's library in the future. Along...
Friday8th Jul 2016
News Nintendo Issues Patch To Prevent Splatoon Players From Becoming Invisible
Update 2.10.0 available now to squash strange bug
Glitches are commonplace in modern games due to their size and complexity, and Splatoon has seen its fair share of bugs which have subsequently been busted by patches. However, it looks like the last patch introduced a glitch of its own. Players are discovering that in certain situations their...
News Nintendo UK Announces The Summer of Splat And The Great British Splat-Off
...as well as The Splatoon Fan Fest
Nintendo UK is giving Splatoon a renewed push with The Summer of Splat, a series of events which will take place between 16th July and 7th August. Part of this campaign will involve The Great British Splat-Off, a selection of online tournaments for players of various skill levels which they can sign up to now...
Thursday7th Jul 2016
Reminder Splatoon Gets an eShop Discount in Europe as Warm-Up for Final Splatfest
Super Mario Maker course is around the corner, too
Splatoon has had an impressive run on the Wii U since its 2015 launch, from its 'kid now / squid now' song becoming a bit of a meme to critical and public acclaim for its gameplay. There have also been lots of updates, new content and Splatfests of various kinds. An era is now sort of ending,...
Tuesday5th Jul 2016
Reminder There's More Splatoon Content Available In Miitomo Right Now
Team Callie and Team Marie t-shirts, GET
Another helping of Splatoon-related content has arrived in Nintendo's smartphone social app Miitomo. The most exciting items are Team Callie and Team Marie t-shirts, which cost 2,000 coins each and will be available until the 25th July. Existing content from the previous Splatoon campaign is also coming...
Friday1st Jul 2016
New amiibo support included, of course
Splatoon is heading towards a grand finale, of sorts, as Nintendo prepares for the last ever Splatfest which will be shared across regions and pit Callie and Marie against each other. In addition, of course, the singing duo have new amiibo that are due to arrive very soon, and with them
Thursday30th Jun 2016
News Splatoon's Last Splatfest is Next Month
Team Callie or Team Marie?
One of the most popular and enjoyable aspects of Splatoon has been the semi-monthly Splatfests. These day-long, team based competitions took the core idea of Splatoon and expanded on it a bit, allowing players to pledge allegiance to a certain team, with a winning team decided at the end of it all based on popularity and...
Wednesday29th Jun 2016
News Splatoon Comes To Smartphones, But Not In Quite The Way You Think
Attack of the clones
Nintendo's expansion into smartphones began this year with Miitomo, but the company has big plans for some of its existing IP - including Animal Crossing and Fire Emblem. Splatoon - one of Nintendo's most recent hits - is arguably another prime candidate for mobile phones, as it boasts a unique look and has been popular with...
Thursday23rd Jun 2016
An event worth tweeting about
They say that the early bird catches the worm, but then again night owls can swivel their heads up to 270 degrees and get to see the latest episode of Game of Thrones before everyone else. It's stiff competition! Following on from the success of the recent SpongeBob SquarePants Splatfest, the next event in North...
News Splatoon VR Hack Involves A GamePad On Your Back And A Customised Water Pistol
Just like being there
Ever wonder what Splatoon would play like if it used VR? Well ponder no more, as Japanese researchers have created their own version using custom parts, a little imagination and a cheap plastic water gun. The setup uses a Sony HMZ-T1 head-mounted display for immersion, while the aforementioned water gun has been modded for...
Tuesday7th Jun 2016
Gallery Check Out All the New Weapons Coming to Splatoon with Sheldon's Picks Vol. 2
Locked and loaded
Though the regular weekly updates of last summer are long gone, Nintendo isn't finished supporting Splatoon yet. Along with the two new amiibo of the Squid Sisters, we're receiving remixed versions of weapons through the new line of Sheldon's Picks. This retooled line of weapons with new sub and special weapons have changed up the...
Monday6th Jun 2016
Say hello to the "Make Believe Digital Event"
Those of you with long memories will recall that we covered the first episode of The BitBlock's "Make Believe" series a while back. Focused on the idea of the Wii U Animal Crossing game we all really wanted (rather than the one we actually got), it boasted lavish production values rarely witnessed on...
Friday3rd Jun 2016
News Upcoming Splatoon Update to Include Stage and Weapon Tweaks Along With Sheldon's Picks
Nine new weapons for splatting foes
Just recently the Japanese social media Splatoon accounts confirmed that Sheldon's Picks Volume 2 will come on 7th / 8th June, depending on time zones. That'll also arrive as part of an update to version 2.8.0, which will make some more adjustments to the game while also bringing new weapons and gear. Nintendo's...
Wednesday1st Jun 2016
News Splatoon's Squid Sisters Confirmed for Live Concert in Paris
So fresh!
We know that Splatoon has been a big hit for Nintendo and the Wii U, with impressive sales and a notable impact on popular culture in Japan, especially. The game is everywhere in Nintendo's homeland, with a substantial range of merchandise and even live concerts. Nintendo's been slow to roll out merchandise to the rest of the world, but...
