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All Articles: Splatoon
Splatoon’s third North American Splatfest pits Hot Dog lovers against Marshmallow fans
In the tradition of history’s great fights — Rocky versus The Big Russian, Ali versus Frazier, Arnold versus The Predator — comes the next Nintendo-sponsored Splatoon Splatfest this weekend. The third North American event hopes to put to rest the great debate over Hot Dogs versus Marshmallows as the best thing to roast over an open fire. Previous bouts have settled Dogs and Roller Coasters as superior to Cats and Water Slides, respectively.
The next North American Splatfest runs for 24 hours and is scheduled to start on Saturday, August 8th at 12:00 AM (Eastern Time) and will end when the clock strikes midnight (Eastern Time) on August 9th.
Nintendo details Splatoon’s big August update
Nintendo has been talking about Splatoon‘s big August update since before the game’s May 29 launch. Today, they finally detailed exactly what’ll be included in the update (see below) and when it’ll be available (August 5).
Most importantly, the update will include two brand new matchmaking modes: Squad Battle and Private Battle. In Squad Battle, players can join up with their friends in all of Splatoon’s Ranked Battle modes. These two-to-four player Squads will then be randomly matched against other Squads. Private Battle is, as the name implies, a private battle between friends. Two-to-eight players can join up to battle it out on any map, in any game mode, and with any combination of players (1v1, 4v4, 4v1, 3v2, etc).
The August update will also add two new weapon types to the game for those looking for a fresh style of play. The Slosher is a grenade launcher-like weapon that will allow players to “hurl ink straight ahead at an impressive range” with a bucket. If you’d rather go “Full Arnold,” the Gatling-like Splatling can produce short blasts of “all-powerful ink” when its fully charged.
Finally, Nintendo will add more than 40 pieces of Gear to the shops in Arowana Mall and raise the level cap in both Regular Battle and Ranked Battle. Players can now reach Level 50 (raised from Level 20) in Regular Battle and S or S+ (both higher than A+) in Ranked Battle.
In case you missed it, Nintendo is still adding content to Splatoon ahead of the August update. This weekend saw the release of the Camp Triggerfish map and a pair of new weapons (E-Liter 3K Scope and Neo Splash-O-Matic). Not only that, but additional maps, weapons, and at least one new game mode (Rainmaker Ranked Battle) will be added to the game throughout the Fall.
Batman: Arkham Knight stands watch atop the best-selling games list for June 2015
Rocksteady’s Arkham trilogy went out with a bang last month, and it looks like a lot of fans went along for the ride, as The NPD Group has confirmed Batman: Arkham Knight was the best-selling game for June 2015.
Aside from the problems with the PC version, WB Games had a pretty good month as four of the publisher’s titles placed in the top ten. Newcomer Lego Jurassic World joined Arkham Knight near the top of the list in the #3 spot, while The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (#4) and Mortal Kombat X (#8) held over from May. NPD’s Liam Callahan told GamesIndustry.biz, “Warner Bros. Interactive is the top corporate publisher so far in 2015, with dollar sales growing 217% versus the first half of 2014.”
But WB Games wasn’t the only company having a nice Summer as Bethesda has a hit on their hands with The Elder Scrolls Online. It was also a good month to be a squid as Nintendo’s Splatoon held strong at #5, and became the only platform exclusive to crack the top ten.
The industry as a whole should be very happy about last month’s sales as consumers spent a lot more than they did last year. Overall sales were up 18%, $869 million versus $734 million, over June 2014. And that includes increases in hardware (+8%), software (+21%), and accessories (+34%).
The complete top ten list of best-selling games for June 2015 can be found after the break. (more…)
Splatoon’s second Splatfest (Roller Coasters vs Water Slides) is next week
The first North American Splatfest for Splatoon players was held last week on the 4th of July. Owing to their superior popularity, Team Dog emerged victorious over Team Cat, even though Team Cat squeaked out a few more victories. It’s an odd way to keep score, but Nintendo is nothing if not odd.
Case in point, the second North American Splatfest will take place a week from tomorrow. Beginning on Friday, July 17 at midnight (Eastern Time), the Splatfest will pit Roller Coaster lovers against Water Slide aficionados for 24 hours on Saturday:
Roller Coasters vs. Water Slides?! The next Americas Splatfest will be from 7/17 at 9:00 PM PT – 7/18 at 9:00 PM PT. pic.twitter.com/9ubd6Rvsb1
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 9, 2015
In the more immediate future, Nintendo will add another map to Splatoon tonight at 10:00 PM (Eastern Time). Moray Towers is a multi-level structure with plenty of tight corners. Can you fly, squiddie?
Even Nintendo can’t get their hands on every Amiibo figure for their Comic-Con 2015 booth
Are you planning to pay a visit to the San Diego Comic-Con next weekend? If so, you should stop by the Nintendo booth (#235) to gaze at a display of almost every Amiibo figure in existence. I say “almost” every figure because Nintendo themselves said they won’t be able to procure all of them in time for the convention. It makes you wonder, exactly how rare are some of these Amiibo figures when the company that makes them can’t find some of them?
If you’re interested in doing more than staring at Amiibo figures you can never own, Nintendo also plans to have a full slate of playable games at their Nintendo Gaming Lounge, which will be located at the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina during this year’s Comic-Con. Located directly adjacent to the San Diego Convention Center, the Nintendo Gaming Lounge will feature many of the same demos that Nintendo brought to this year’s E3 Expo:
Playable Wii U Games
- Super Mario Maker
- Yoshi’s Woolly World
- Super Smash Bros. For Wii U
- Splatoon
- Skylanders SuperChargers (Activision)
Playable 3DS Games
- Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash
- The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes
- Little Battlers Experience
- Yo-Kai Watch
Nintendo will also hold a number of tournaments at the Nintendo Gaming Lounge. So if you’ve ever wanted to show the world your prowess at Splatoon, Super Smash Bros. For Wii U, Pokemon: Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire, and the unreleased Little Battlers Experience, you can. More details on the tournaments, including a full schedule, can be found at Nintendo’s Comic-Con page.
Nintendo will add Tower Control mode to Splatoon on July 1
Splatoon will receive another option for Ranked Battles in the very near future, as Nintendo has announced the new Tower Control mode will be part of a July 1st update to the game. Tomorrow’s update will be available to download at 10:00 PM (Eastern Time), but fans can get a sneak peek at the mode today during a special Treehouse Live stream scheduled for 6:00 PM (Eastern Time).
What’s the best way to tackle Tower Control? Here’s what Nintendo had to say:
The objective of Tower Control is to ride a single floating tower into the enemy’s base. Both teams rush toward the tower, which is initially placed in the center of the map, and the tower will start moving automatically once a player climbs aboard. But beware: Riding the tower will increase the chances of being splatted, as every player has his or her target on the tower. Riding the tower alone is pretty tough, encouraging randomly selected teams of players to team up to accomplish their goal. Just like in Ranked Battle and Turf War, players will be rewarded for working together as a team. Surrounding the tower and protecting the player riding the tower, using each stage’s features to gain an advantage, and supporting each other are the keys to victory.
And don’t forget, Splatoon’s first North American Splatfest (Cats Versus Dogs) will take place this weekend on July 4th.
Splatoon Review: You’re a Squid! You’re a Kid! You’re the Best Shooter in a Long Time!
Even though it doesn’t star Mario or Link or Samus Aran, Splatoon is the quintessential Nintendo game. Starring a race of shapeshifting human/squid creatures known as Inklings, the game’s bright colors and relentlessly cheery attitude place it firmly within Nintendo’s wheelhouse. But Splatoon is also unlike your typical Nintendo game in that it’s a shooter, albeit one that uses squid ink instead of bullets and is more concerned with area control than racking up killstreaks.
It’s also the best shooter I’ve played in a very long time. (more…)
USA! USA! USA! Splatoon’s first Splatfest has been rescheduled for July 4
After a week of tinkering, Nintendo has worked out all the kinks in Splatoon‘s network code and is ready to reschedule the game’s first North American Splatfest. The all-day “Dogs Versus Cats” showdown will now take place on Saturday, July 4. Hopefully, everyone out there in Nintendo-Land will celebrate the independence of our nation by splatting a large part of it!
The Splatfest will begin bright and early on July 4 at 3:00 AM (Eastern Time). After 24 ink-filled hours, the contest will come to an end at 2:59 AM (Eastern Time) on July 5. And then we’ll finally know which four-legged furball is truly man’s best friend. Spoiler Alert… the correct answer is dogs… regardless of what happens during the Splatfest, the answer is dogs.
You can make your selection now in-game at the Splatfest kiosk in Inkopolis Plaza. Participants will receive a special Splatfest t-shirt with three ability slots. Unfortunately, you have to give it back after the event is over.