Fans of video game developers have a decent idea what they can expect going into any new year. Tentpole games likeHorizon Forbidden West,God of War Ragnarok, andElden Ringare set to define 2022 (assuming there aren’t delays), and Nintendo has a strong line-up announced for this year. Following hits likeMonster Hunter RiseandMetroid Dreadin 2021, there’s a lot to suggest2022 could be one of the Switch’s strongest years yetthanks to games likeBreath of the Wild 2andSplatoon 3.
However,much of Nintendo’s release schedule is vague. The early months are set withPokemon Legends: Arceuson January 28,Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hopeon March 24, andKirby and the Forgotten Landon March 25. Third-party games such asTriangle Strategywill also fill its library, releasing March 4. From there less-defined release windows appear, likeAdvance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Campin the spring, as well asBayonetta 3andBreath of the Wild 2sticking by “2022” releases.Splatoon 3is also without a defined release date, but it seems an obvious choice to fill Nintendo’s summer schedule.
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Splatoon’s Release History
The summer and holiday seasons are, generally speaking, when developers aim to release games - particularly if they cater to younger audiences. This isn’t always the case;many games also release around Marchgiven it marks the end of the fiscal year. Yet it’s hard to argue with the sales potential of hit franchises debuting games when audiences are off from school and work, particularly leading into December’s gift-giving holidays like Christmas and Hannukah.
For Nintendo, holiday games tend to be heavy hitters likePokemonandThe Legend of Zelda. WithLegends: Arceusreleasing in a few weeks, soon afterPokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlin November 2021, it’s hard to say whether The Pokemon Company will have another major title this holiday.Breath of the Wild 2seems a more sensible choice for Nintendo’s holiday blockbuster, likely announcing its release date during an early Nintendo Direct or theonline-only E3 2022. While the firstBreath of the Wildcame out in March 2017 to coincide with the Switch, entries likeOcarina of Time,Twilight Princess, andSkyward Swordhave historically dropped around November.
Meanwhile, theSplatoonfranchise has a history of summer releases. The original game launched in May 2015, andSplatoon 2hit shelves in July 2017. This isn’t to saySplatoon 3won’t be a heavy hitter;Splatoon 2was the ninth highest-grossing Switch game as of June 09, 2025, according to a Nintendo Investor Relations report. As a multiplayer-focused franchise with a punk attitude, it just makes sense to release in time for summer vacation.
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Splatoon 3 as a Multiplayer Juggernaut
Many Nintendo franchises are single-player, from exploring inThe Legend of ZeldaandMetroidto platforming inSuper Mario,Kirby, andYoshi’s Island. A multitude of them have come to include multiplayer modes, likeKirby and the Forgotten Land’s co-opor battling friends inFire Emblem, but only a few series center multiplayer. Spin-offs likeMario PartyandMario Kart, as well asSuper Smash Bros.are the stand-out examples, but Nintendo hit it big withSplatoonin a way the Switch-era franchiseARMSdid not.
Among the Switch-exclusive games scheduled for 2022,Splatoon 3is the only dedicated multiplayer offering. Blockbuster single-player games likeBreath of the Wild 2orBayonetta 3make sense over the holidays, butSplatoon 3has a lot more staying power if it releases this summer and updates throughout the rest of the year. This would also make up for the potential lack of aSuper Mariospin-off, though rumors say aNintendo crossover-focusedMario Kartmay be in the works.
Splatoon 2lasted a long time, with its “Octo Expansion"releasing in June 2018; almost a year after the base game. Though it is odd Nintendo decided to develop a second title in the multiplayer third-person shooter franchise for Switch when it could have expanded uponSplatoon 2instead, precedent suggests the title will be another multiplayer juggernaut to keep its console alive. Summer 2022 looks to be the best time for a release, but fans will have to wait and see what Nintendo announces next.
Splatoon 3is scheduled to release in 2022 for the Nintendo Switch.
