Google has quietly paid tribute to Nintendo’s ink-based shooter franchise by adding an interactive ink-splat Easter egg to searches for Splatoon, Splatoon 2 and Splatoon 3.
The small browser animation — reported by outlets including GoNintendo and covered by Nintendo Life — is visible on both desktop and mobile and lets users click a splat icon to fling a blob of virtual ink across the search results page.
Background and context
Splatoon 3, developed by Nintendo EPD and published by Nintendo, launched for the Nintendo Switch on September 9, 2022.
The game followed the original Splatoon (released in 2015 for Wii U) and Splatoon 2 (released in 2017 for Nintendo Switch), helping establish the series as one of Nintendo’s most recognizable multiplayer franchises.
The Google Easter egg arrives as the franchise maintains strong visibility across gaming communities and mainstream culture.
What the Easter egg does
When users search for “Splatoon,” “Splatoon 2” or “Splatoon 3,” a small splat animation appears beneath the suggested game page in Google’s results.
Interacting with that splat lets users click anywhere on the search page to send an animated ink blob across the results.
The effect functions on both desktop and mobile versions of Google Search, making it a cross-platform novelty for fans and casual searchers alike.
Industry reaction and significance
Observers have noted that Google’s interactive search Easter eggs often signal a property’s cultural footprint; having a dedicated search animation is commonly perceived as a mark of mainstream recognition.
In journalistic terms: industry watchers say the presence of this Easter egg underscores how far the Splatoon brand has expanded beyond its in-game community into broader pop culture.
While the Google splat is a lighthearted addition rather than a new game feature, it highlights the ongoing relevance of the Splatoon series on Nintendo platforms and in the public eye.
For fans who want to try it, a quick search for any of the three Splatoon titles on Google will reveal the ink-splat interaction.
The small browser animation — reported by outlets including GoNintendo and covered by Nintendo Life — is visible on both desktop and mobile and lets users click a splat icon to fling a blob of virtual ink across the search results page.
Background and context
Splatoon 3, developed by Nintendo EPD and published by Nintendo, launched for the Nintendo Switch on September 9, 2022.
The game followed the original Splatoon (released in 2015 for Wii U) and Splatoon 2 (released in 2017 for Nintendo Switch), helping establish the series as one of Nintendo’s most recognizable multiplayer franchises.
The Google Easter egg arrives as the franchise maintains strong visibility across gaming communities and mainstream culture.
What the Easter egg does
When users search for “Splatoon,” “Splatoon 2” or “Splatoon 3,” a small splat animation appears beneath the suggested game page in Google’s results.
Interacting with that splat lets users click anywhere on the search page to send an animated ink blob across the results.
The effect functions on both desktop and mobile versions of Google Search, making it a cross-platform novelty for fans and casual searchers alike.
Industry reaction and significance
Observers have noted that Google’s interactive search Easter eggs often signal a property’s cultural footprint; having a dedicated search animation is commonly perceived as a mark of mainstream recognition.
In journalistic terms: industry watchers say the presence of this Easter egg underscores how far the Splatoon brand has expanded beyond its in-game community into broader pop culture.
While the Google splat is a lighthearted addition rather than a new game feature, it highlights the ongoing relevance of the Splatoon series on Nintendo platforms and in the public eye.
For fans who want to try it, a quick search for any of the three Splatoon titles on Google will reveal the ink-splat interaction.
