It seems like expansion packs and passes are all the rage in the gaming world nowadays. Every major game with such content seems to be getting one, including several major Nintendo games released in 2022! For Splatoon 3, its Expansion Pass was announced during the Nintendo Direct earlier in the month and was revealed to be a two-part content booster. The first part was set to release in “Spring 2023,” but then Nintendo changed their minds and declared it would arrive on February 28th. That’s today! As noted on Twitter, the first pack is out, which means you can go to the franchise’s origins again!
As you’ll see below, the main gist of the content is that you can return to Inkopolis for the first time since the original title on the Wii U. Almost everything is as you remember it. You’ll get to go to the same shops as the first game, plus you’ll have some of the new content additions you can try out from the more recent games, like being able to do Salmon Run and Tableturf Battle. Then, if you hang around Inkopolis during a Splatfest, Callie, and Marie make their return, and you can watch them perform!
Admittedly, the first wave of content in the expansion pass is more cosmetic than content-focused. You get rewards for buying this first wave, including a Callie and Marie-themed banner, which has shown up in plenty of battles online.
The second wave of content, known as the “Side Order,” will arrive later this year. That content seems to follow in the path of the beloved Octo Expansion by focusing on a brand-new character via a new Octarian, and you’ll head to the setting of the last game to “find out” what happened after the final Splatfest. Off the Hook was teased to be heavily involved in the story, which would line up with the past expansion.
For those who want a more “substantial” boost in terms of what you can do in Splatoon 3, you won’t have to wait too much longer for that. Tomorrow launches the “Fresh Season” of content for the game. In it, you’ll get the new gear you can wear, plenty of new weapons to use, two stages to have fun on, and more! You’ll even be able to take your Tableturf Battles online to go up against friends and rivals!
So if you’re a fan of the game, you have much to enjoy over the next few days.