Splatoon: New Splatling Preview, Patch Notes, Global Testfire Returns (In Japan Only)

Nintendo has shared a huge batch of updates for Splatoon, including the latest patch notes, a new weapon preview, and even the return of Testfire.

The preview above is for the gatling gun like Splatling. While it affords more mobility than a real gatling gun, it’s rapid fire capabilities still come with a price. While using the Splatling, you slow down considerably. Of course, this means you can’t chase down enemies freely, and will have to plan out some ambushes and blitzkriegs. On the upside, you can charge shots while holding back to maximize power.

You can read the full patch notes translation here, but here are the big highlights we haven’t heard yet:

·         Ranking now caps at level 50, but if you’ve been stuck at 20 for a while, there’s good news. The game knew you earned higher levels, so when you log in, after receiving a brief explanation, it will adjust automatically.

·         New gear and music are coming in, but they will be cycled via random rotation.

·         Layouts were modified for all the maps, specific to game modes.

·         Private battle mode will allow you to play with friends and friends of friends, and you can also add password protection to your lobby.

·         Even Splatfests are getting an adjustment. Each team who won a battle will now get a 4x instead of a 2x multiplier. This will make it less likely for Splatfests to be decided by popular vote.

Finally, Nintendo Co Ltd has returned Testfire, but it’s hard to call it a true Splatoon Global Testfire when it’s Japan only. Much like the original Testfire events, these were set up to convince holdouts to get Splatoon. It will be live between 9 to 10 AM Tokyo time until August 9, but of course, it would be better if this went worldwide.