The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Video Game›Splatoon
Entertainment • Video Game

Splatoon

Splatoon is a third-person shooter video game franchise developed and published by Nintendo.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Splatoon is a third-person shooter video game franchise developed and published by Nintendo. The series is set in a post-apocalyptic future and focuses on competitive multiplayer battles using ink-based weapons, with playable species called Inklings and Octolings. The first game, also titled Splatoon, was released for the Wii U in 2015.

Premise

Splatoon is set in a far-future, post-apocalyptic version of Earth inhabited by evolved marine life. The main playable characters are Inklings and Octolings, who can transform between humanoid and cephalopod forms.

Gameplay

The series is a third-person shooter built around ink weapons and territory control. Its core modes emphasise team-based online multiplayer, although the games also include single-player content.

Release history

The original Splatoon launched in 2015 for the Wii U. Later main entries, including Splatoon 2 and Splatoon 3, appeared on the Nintendo Switch.

Franchise significance

Splatoon became one of Nintendo's major original intellectual properties from the Wii U era onward. It is recognised for combining competitive shooting mechanics with a colourful, family-friendly presentation.

Key facts

  • The franchise is owned, developed, and published by Nintendo.
  • Gameplay centres on covering territory with coloured ink and using ink-based weapons.
  • The series is set on a fictional Earth long after the extinction of humans.
  • The first game was released in 2015 for the Wii U.
  • The franchise later expanded to Nintendo Switch titles, including Splatoon 2 and Splatoon 3.
🍁
Canadian context

Nintendo's Splatoon games have been released in Canada on the same major console platforms as in other regions and are part of the Canadian video game market and Nintendo's Canadian player base.

Frequently asked questions

What is Splatoon?
Splatoon is a Nintendo third-person shooter franchise centred on ink-based battles and online team play.
Who created Splatoon?
The franchise was created by Hisashi Nogami and Shintaro Sato.
What platform did Splatoon first release on?
The first game was released on the Wii U in 2015.
What are Inklings?
Inklings are the squid-like playable characters in the series, able to shift between humanoid and cephalopod forms.
What is the setting of Splatoon?
The series takes place on a post-apocalyptic Earth far in the future after the extinction of humans and most mammals.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splatoon
    Supports: Series description, creators, genre, setting, platforms, release history
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splatoon_(video_game)
    Supports: Original game details, Wii U release, gameplay structure, sequel history
  3. Inkipedia — https://splatoonwiki.org/wiki/Splatoon
    Supports: Gameplay summary, original release date, multiplayer format
  4. Inkipedia — https://splatoonwiki.org/wiki/Splatoon_(series)
    Supports: Franchise overview and series classification