NintendObs Thinks: The greater implications of Splatoon 3.
The Nintendo Switch is here to stay for a loooooong time.
Splatoon 3 isn’t just the sequel to Splatoon 2. It’s a sign of how Nintendo plans to support the Nintendo Switch for years to come.
Historically speaking, Nintendo would always put sequels of their console’s multiplayer titles (especially the most successful ones) on their next hardware. One Mario Kart title per platform, one Super Smash Bros. game, and so far it seemed one Splatoon entry as well. Well, not anymore, and that’s what Splatoon 3 is inducing us to reconsider in terms of possibilities for Nintendo-made titles on Nintendo Switch.
It has to be noted however that this shift was openly planned since the announcement in July 2020 on Splatoon 2’s third anniversary that the game would host encore Splatfests all the way to March 2021. In retrospect, these events — one of which made in collaboration with the Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary — were meant to maintain the Splatoon franchise in the spotlight until the Nintendo Direct reveal of Splatoon 3, which eventually happened this February of 2021.