Splatoon 3 Grand Festival Splatfest Concludes: Nintendo Announces End of Regular Updates

Splatoon 3’s Grand Festival Splatfest Concludes with Team Past Victorious as Nintendo Ends Regular Updates for the Hit Switch Title Splatoon 3, Nintendo’s vibrant and fast-paced multiplayer shooter for the Nintendo Switch, reached a major milestone this week with the conclusion of its highly anticipated Grand Festival Splatfest.

After an intense 72-hour bout of inking and competition, Team Past prevailed as the event’s champion, earning a commanding total of 500 points—well ahead of Team Present (370 points) and Team Future (0 points). This special Splatfest marks the culmination of what Nintendo described as the largest community event in Splatoon 3’s history.

Players worldwide logged in to support their favorite musical icons from the series: the Squid Sisters (Team Past), Off the Hook (Team Present), and Deep Cut (Team Future), answering the central festival question: "Which is the most important to you?" The event kicked off at regional times spanning September 12–16, 2024, and brought together a global player base via the Nintendo Switch eShop. Following the conclusion of the Grand Festival, Nintendo announced that regular updates for Splatoon 3 will be winding down.

While seasonal events such as Splatfests, Big Runs, and Eggstra Work will periodically return, the end of scheduled updates signals a significant shift for one of the Nintendo Switch’s standout online experiences.

In a translated statement shared via the official @SplatoonJP channel, Nintendo recognized the Grand Festival as a "final battle," underscoring the significance of this event in the game’s lifecycle. To commemorate this closing chapter, Nintendo released a special retrospective video titled "A Celebration of Splatfests." The video provides a nostalgic look back at every Splatfest theme featured in Splatoon 3, set to the smooth melodies of the in-game idol group Deep Cut.

This farewell not only celebrates the vibrant community that has defined Splatoon 3 since its record-breaking launch in September 2022, but also highlights Nintendo's ongoing commitment to special, time-limited competitions that have kept players engaged long after release. Splatoon 3 continues to be a standout title for the Nintendo Switch, amassing impressive sales figures and fostering a loyal fanbase with its constant updates and creative events.

As regular updates conclude, both Nintendo and the community look back on an era marked by innovation and spirited competition, while select Splatfest traditions promise to keep the ink flowing for dedicated fans on the eShop and beyond.

Splatoon Nintendo Splatoon 3 Grand Festival Splatfest Grand Festival Splatfest Team Past Nintendo Switch Switch