DLC forSplatoon 3has finally been revealed as theSplatoon 3Expansion Pass, which will add new content across two waves. The first wave of DLC will bring players back to the original game’s Inkopolis. Fans have been waiting for this reveal since theSplatoon 3Direct announced that there would be large-scale paid DLC for the game.
A month before the launch ofSplatoon 3in September 2022, theSplatoon 3Directannounced that the game would be getting paid DLC, heavily implying that it would star Pearl and Marina of the band Off the Hook fromSplatoon 2. These characters were heavily featured inSplatoon 2: Octo Expansionbut were absent inSplatoon 3’s single-player, which instead focused on the Squid Sisters and newcomers Deep Cut.
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Splatoon 3fans finally got a closer look atSplatoon 3’s DLC in theFebruary 2023 Nintendo Direct, but perhaps not in the way many expected. The announcement opened with the reveal that Wave 1 of the Expansion Pass will give players access to the Inkopolis hub world from the originalSplatoonon Wii U. It will feature the same merchants seen in the 2015 title selling the same items featured in the Splatsville shops, giving players the option to shop at either location. Additionally, Inkopolis will feature performances from the Squid Sisters during Splatfests.
Not only that but fans were also teased with the reappearance of Pearl and Marina with the announcement ofSide Order, a new single-player campaign that will be included in Wave 2 of the Expansion Pass. The enigmatic trailer showed what appeared to be Agent 8, the protagonist ofSplatoon 2: Octo Expansion, standing in an alternate version of Inkopolis Square, the hub world ofSplatoon 2. Images ofPearl and Marina fromSplatoon 2, now in their new designs, flashed across the screen, confirming that they will be featured inSide Order. Wave 1 is set to release this spring with Wave 2 launching at a later date, and players can purchase the Expansion Pass starting today.
With the announcement of the Expansion Pass, newerSplatoonplayers will soon be able to see even more of what they missed out on in the first game as well as see how thestory of theSplatoonserieswill continue withSide Order. Many have wanted to see more legacySplatooncontent return inSplatoon 3, particularly that which was released on the original Wii U game. The reappearance of Inkopolis does wonders to help round out the experience for new fans, andSide Orderwill give them more of what they loved inOcto Expansion. While players still don’t know exactly when they will get to revisit Inkopolis or reunite with Pearl and Marina, the Expansion Pass is sure to giveSplatoon 3players plenty of fresh content.
Splatoon 3is available now on Nintendo Switch.
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