Splatoon

Splatoon is primarily a team-based third-person shooter that is playable by up to eight players in online four-versus-four matches, although the game also features local one-versus-one multiplayer matches and a single player campaign. Players control an Inkling, who have the ability to transform between humanoid and squid forms. In humanoid form, Inklings can shoot ink in their team's color, which can be used to cover the environment or "splat" opposing players or enemies. Transforming into a squid allows players to swim through the ink of their own color, even up walls and through grates, hiding from the enemy and replenishing their ink supply in the process.

Conversely, enemy ink is much slower to walk across in humanoid form, cannot be swum through in squid form and gradually deals damage. Players can use their ink to try and "splat" their opponents, which will send them back to their team's starting point whilst also providing a large splat of ink. In all modes, except for the two-player mode, players can use the Wii U GamePad to view a map of the surroundings and instantly launch towards the location of another teammate, as well as use optional gyroscopic controls to assist with aiming.

The Splatoon series takes place 12,000 years into the far future on a post-apocalyptic Earth following the extinction of humans and virtually all other mammals, implied to be due to the effects of rampant climate change. Marine animals then evolve to reside on land and in the present day occupy the regions of Inkadia and the Splatlands. These include the Inklings and Octarians, terrestrial squids and octopuses respectively. The city of Inkopolis, which includes Splatoon's hub world Inkopolis Plaza, is located within Inkadia.

The Great Zapfish (a creature resembling an electrically charged catfish) that powers the city of Inkopolis suddenly vanishes; the incident is the subject of a news report hosted by resident idols Callie and Marie of the Squid Sisters. An Inkling teenager spots an elderly Inkling man scanning the immediate vicinity of Inkopolis Plaza from a manhole cover and follows him to Octo Valley. The elder Inkling, stationed at a camp in Octo Valley, introduces himself as Cap'n Cuttlefish, the former military captain of the Squidbeak Splatoon who led the Inklings to victory against the Octarians during the Great Turf War one century prior. Cuttlefish accuses the Octarians of stealing the Zapfish in revenge for their defeat.

Splatoon was developed by Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development (EAD). Monolith Soft also assisted Nintendo on the development of the game. The team working on the game was composed of much younger members compared to most other teams in the company, and prior to Splatoon were all involved in the development of the Wii U console in some capacity.

Once production on the Wii U concluded, the team assembled to brainstorm ideas for "a new kind of game, without worrying about trying to fit into existing game genres". Over the course of six months, over 70 concepts were proposed. One such concept materialized into a playable prototype developed by team member Shintaro Sato. It involved an online four-versus-four territory control game set in a featureless arena; whichever team painted the majority of the map would be declared the winner.

Splatoon received positive reviews, receiving an aggregated score of 81/100 on Metacritic based on 88 reviews.

Splatoon was well-received when it was revealed. Many in the gaming press were surprised that Nintendo was creating a shooter intellectual property and praised the new gameplay ideas that distinguished it from other titles in the genre.