Splatoon 3 continues to show strong player engagement, Nintendo told Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu, with activity growing after the announcement of the new Splatoon Raiders project.
Developed by Nintendo EPD, Splatoon 3 launched on Nintendo Switch on September 9, 2022, and remains available both as a physical release and through the Nintendo eShop.
In the Famitsu interview, Nintendo representatives — including Inoue — described a measurable uptick in Splatoon 3 activity since Raiders was revealed.
Inoue said that roughly a year after the Raiders announcement the team has observed an increase in active players, noting specifically that there are more players in 2026 than there were in 2025.
The developer framed this as a positive interaction between the two titles, suggesting that interest in one entry can boost engagement across the franchise.
Rewriting the key comments in journalistic terms: Inoue told Famitsu that the announcement of Raiders coincided with a rise in Splatoon 3 player counts, and that overall player activity in 2026 has exceeded levels seen in 2025.
He added that the team intends to keep exploring new challenges while maintaining the core elements that define the Splatoon series.
Context and verified details
- Title and developer: Splatoon 3 is developed by Nintendo EPD and published by Nintendo.
- Release and platforms: Splatoon 3 released on Nintendo Switch on September 9, 2022, and is offered via retail and the Nintendo eShop.
- Franchise strategy: Nintendo has a history of supporting Splatoon with updates, seasonal events, and additional content, approaches that help sustain player engagement over multiple years.
What this means for players and the platform
Nintendo positioning Splatoon 3 as continuing to perform strongly reinforces the franchise's value to Nintendo's platform lineup.
Continued player growth benefits both the game and the wider Splatoon ecosystem, particularly as Nintendo markets titles across storefronts like the Nintendo eShop and presents updates through showcases such as Nintendo Direct.
Nintendo's comments to Famitsu provide a factual snapshot of franchise momentum: Splatoon 3 remains active in 2026, and the team plans to balance innovation with the series' established strengths as they move forward.
Developed by Nintendo EPD, Splatoon 3 launched on Nintendo Switch on September 9, 2022, and remains available both as a physical release and through the Nintendo eShop.
In the Famitsu interview, Nintendo representatives — including Inoue — described a measurable uptick in Splatoon 3 activity since Raiders was revealed.
Inoue said that roughly a year after the Raiders announcement the team has observed an increase in active players, noting specifically that there are more players in 2026 than there were in 2025.
The developer framed this as a positive interaction between the two titles, suggesting that interest in one entry can boost engagement across the franchise.
Rewriting the key comments in journalistic terms: Inoue told Famitsu that the announcement of Raiders coincided with a rise in Splatoon 3 player counts, and that overall player activity in 2026 has exceeded levels seen in 2025.
He added that the team intends to keep exploring new challenges while maintaining the core elements that define the Splatoon series.
Context and verified details
- Title and developer: Splatoon 3 is developed by Nintendo EPD and published by Nintendo.
- Release and platforms: Splatoon 3 released on Nintendo Switch on September 9, 2022, and is offered via retail and the Nintendo eShop.
- Franchise strategy: Nintendo has a history of supporting Splatoon with updates, seasonal events, and additional content, approaches that help sustain player engagement over multiple years.
What this means for players and the platform
Nintendo positioning Splatoon 3 as continuing to perform strongly reinforces the franchise's value to Nintendo's platform lineup.
Continued player growth benefits both the game and the wider Splatoon ecosystem, particularly as Nintendo markets titles across storefronts like the Nintendo eShop and presents updates through showcases such as Nintendo Direct.
Nintendo's comments to Famitsu provide a factual snapshot of franchise momentum: Splatoon 3 remains active in 2026, and the team plans to balance innovation with the series' established strengths as they move forward.
