Nintendo’s Wii U library needed a hit. Splatoon delivered one. The ink-splattering shooter arrived in 2015, and it remains one of the best multiplayer games ever made for the console. It is a reinvention of the shooting genre, wrapped in a colorful cartoon world and built for couch co-op fun. This is a review of the game, not a look back at the console as a whole.
Trailer, via Nintendo of America.
The Ink Gun
Splatoon is a shooter, but it is not a shooter like Call of Duty or Halo. Players wield ink guns that spray paint across walls, floors, and ceilings. The goal is simple: cover the most ground in a match. The twist is that the ink turns the battlefield into a playable surface. Once a player steps into a painted area, they can move faster and fight better.
The controls are precise. Aim with the Wii U GamePad’s touch screen, and the game tracks your finger with surprising accuracy. The game also supports a second controller for local multiplayer, which makes the experience feel even more immediate. There is no waiting for a server; matches start instantly.
Modes and Maps
The game offers several modes, each with its own rules. Ranked battles test skill against other players online. Salmon Run sends teams of four into a survival mode filled with giant fish. The main mode, Splat Zones, pits two teams against each other to hold territory. Each map is designed to encourage movement, forcing players to think about positioning and angles.
Maps are varied. Some are tight corridors. Others open into wide arenas. The game rewards exploration, since hidden paths often lead to shortcuts. The level design is clever, and it shows in how quickly matches flow.
The Story Mode
The campaign is brief, but it sets up the world. Players join a team of agents tasked with stopping a rival group. The story is light, but it gives the game a reason to exist beyond multiplayer. It also introduces the game’s humor, which leans heavily on its characters’ quirks.
The story mode is not a highlight. It exists to teach the basics and set the stage. The real content lives in the online lobbies.
Online Play and Sound
Online play is where Splatoon shines brightest. Matches are fast, and the matchmaking system keeps you with players of similar skill. The game also offers a spectator mode, letting friends watch matches while waiting to jump in. This feature alone makes the game more accessible for couch parties.
The game runs smoothly, with little downtime between matches. The servers were stable at launch, and the game has aged gracefully. It still holds up years later.
The soundtrack is cheerful, with a mix of electronic and pop influences. The music fits the game’s tone without becoming annoying. The sound effects are punchy, giving each shot a satisfying thud.
The art style is bright and cartoony. Characters are large-eyed and expressive, and the color palette is bold. The game looks great on the Wii U’s screen, and it holds up well on modern TVs. It is a visual treat, especially in the Salmon Run mode, where the giant fish are absurdly detailed.
What Works and What Does Not
- The ink gun mechanic is innovative and fun.
- The map design encourages constant motion.
- The online infrastructure is reliable.
- The second controller support is smart.
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The story mode is a minor annoyance.
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The story mode is thin and forgettable.
- The campaign is too short to justify a purchase on its own.
- Some maps feel repetitive after extended play.
Key Facts
- Platform: Wii U
- Developer: Nintendo
- Release date: 2015
- Mode: Multiplayer, with a small campaign
- Score: 8.2/10
Splatoon is a masterclass in game design. It takes a tired genre and rebuilds it from the ground up. The ink gun mechanic is simple, but it creates endless depth. Matches rarely feel the same twice, and the game rewards creativity over aggression.
The game is not perfect. The story mode is a minor disappointment, and the campaign feels like a tutorial dressed up as a narrative. But those flaws are easy to forgive when the core loop is so strong.
Splatoon is a must-play for anyone with a Wii U. It is a game that respects your time and delivers on its promises. It is a shooter that does not ask you to memorize a dozen weapon types or learn a complex skill tree. It simply asks you to paint the battlefield and win.
