Nintendo announced in their Nintendo Direct Program on February 8 that Splatoon 3 will be getting its first wave of paid DLCs, bringing back the hub world of the first game, Inkopolis!
The Splatoon 3 Expansion Pass is available for purchase now on the Nintendo e-Shop. Wave 1 of the expansion is set to arrive sometime this Spring in 2023. The program also teased Side Order, which will be a new mode included in Wave 2 sometime in the future.
▍ Return of Inkopolis in Splatoon 3
With the first wave of the Splatoon 3 Expansion Pass, players will be able to visit Inkopolis Plaza from Splatoon 1. The hub features all the same facilities available in Splatsville, but players will have a choice to pick whichever hangout spot to vibe in.
Meet characters like Spyke, Annie, and Jelonzo who have returned to Inkopolis Plaza after the events of story mode, all sporting brand new “fresh” looks! Catch up with them by visiting their establishments. Newcomers have also opened shops around town, so be sure to keep a look out!
During Splatfests, Callie and Marrie will take center stage instead of the usual Deep Cut, performing their own original tracks that brighten the nightly mood.
▍ Expansion Pass Wave 2 – Side Order
The trailer for the expansion pass also teased its Wave 2 contents briefly. The footage showed a lone Octoling standing before a lifeless, colorless version of the hub world from Splatoon 2, Inkopolis Square. Images quickly flash, showing off the musical duo from the same game, Pearl and Marina.
Expansion Pass Wave 2: Side Order is likely going to be the game’s story content DLC, akin to what Octo Expansion was to Splatoon 2. The expansion’s plot may have relations to the final Splatfest of the game, “Splatocalypse”, where Order and Chaos were the two teams of choice, with Chaos being the ultimate victor.
