During last night’s Nintendo Switch Presentation, the company officially unveiled Splatoon 2, the sequel to the Wii U’s massively successful new IP. While the title had been teased in the original trailer for Switch, we now have official confirmation and a handful of details.
Initial speculation had suggested the title would be more of an enhanced port than a true sequel, but Splatoon 2 is apparently a brand-new title. Taking place two years after the original game, Splatoon 2 will offer new options, including the ability to dual-wield weapons. Like the original title, the game will offer multiple different control styles, including gyroscopic aiming. Finally, the game will also feature local multiplayer, a feature sadly missing in the original title.
Fans of Splatoon will no doubt wonder how the game will replace the touch screen quick jumps of the previous title. Splatoon 2 now maps each teammate to a different side of the D-Pad. After a respawn, a quick tap Up, Down, Left or Right will send the player’s Inkling to the corresponding team member’s position. The bottom screen map will likely be missed by many, but a map can be accessed at any time by pressing the “X” button.
The year is already shaping up to be a very good one for Splatoon fans. Splatoon 2 won’t release until summer, but fans of the Inklings can find them in multiple other locations, including Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and the upcoming Art of Splatoon book from Dark Horse! Stay tuned to Nintendojo for more information on all things Inklings in the coming months!