Gaming Squid Pro Go: Splatoon!

I'm surprised Nintendo hasn't done the hologram concert thing more- you could bring out Link on the ocarina, DK on the bongos, etc.

 

The final Splatfest is coming up on July 22nd-24th, Callie vs Marie. It'll be broken up into separate regional Splatfests totals that will get combined for the final results.

This also marks the end of post-release support for Splatoon content, sadly (but then, I haven't had a chance to play the most recent maps yet anyways, so plenty to still enjoy in the game). Servers will continue, however.

 

One of those games that I've wanted, ever since I picked up a Wii U - just waiting and waiting for a sale price of any kind, digital or hard copy. Still retailing at 60 bucks - must be a pretty special game!

 

Nintendo tends to strive for "evergreen" titles, so Nintendo 1st party titles tend to stay at full price for years unless they get a Selects/Player's Choice/etc budget rerelease.

So games like Splatoon, MK8, Smash Bros, etc aren't often subjected to the "price drop after a month" tendencies of other games.

Case in point, if you go into most stores like Target, etc you'll still find Metroid: Other M (a Wii title, not Wii U) retailing at full price- and that came out six years ago (and wasn't even that well liked of a game).

There are exceptions but usually it means the games were either a rare bad game (Amiibo Festival) or they're a pack-in bonus or other promo.

Most of the time though, the only discounts you'll find on them will be the eShop versions. But for physical copies, you've probably still got a wait ahead of you.

Unless Nintendo does a holiday clearance sale on U titles, I wouldn't expect Splatoon to drop in price until the NX launch (or just afterwards)- or if a Splatoon port ends up being a NX launch title as has been rumored.

 

Interesting, good to know. I suppose once in a blue moon, you'll get a Mario Smash Tennis that bottoms out and drops, but prices are pretty consistent.

 

From the Switch stream last night. What I find interesting is that they changed the Inklings character design- the character designs usually don't change that much between entries.

Also reminds me i really need to set a day aside to play some more of the original. There's still a few maps I haven't played on yet,

EDIT-


(Splatoon 2 is at 1:53:38)

Watching the Treehouse Live video, they point out that the Dualies give you two independent targeting reticles. Additionally there's now a dodge roll move when you're firing your ink. So if you come under attack you can dodge and retaliate (as the Dualies also converge reticals for attack after doing it).

They also mention that all of the specials in the game are brand new- none are returning from the first game. They show off ones like a Charger phaser-like attack beam that shoots through the walls of the entire level, a splattershot mortar one that fires 4 homing missiles out to all enemies within your target, a Roller one that can be used mid-super jump to create an offensive impact splatter upon your landing to help opponents under fire. Rollers can also implement a more narrow-but-further ink splat by doing their ink throw in mid-jump, to give you more precision.

Storywise, this game is set 2 years after the events of the first game, but they're not revealing much in the way of story details at this point.

 

I think they did it because they wanted to discourage people from swapping weapons to better counter the ones the opposing team was using. As a result, you're forced to improve your own skills and strategies instead of just playing a game of rock-paper-scissors.

Although I do agree that it was a little annoying when you were first starting out and trying out different weapon combos to get a feel for them. A better training environment (perhaps with bots) would have solved that issue, though.

But who knows? Maybe they'll change that for Splat2.

 

Demo for the Salmon Run co-op mode.

Besides looking to be pretty fun (reminds me a little of the Metroid game in Nintendoland a bit) I like how this seemingly embraces the dark subtext of the original game's storyline (such as the moaning voices heard towards the end of the game). In this case, the implication that is the Inklings who are the invasive species, stealing/harvesting the eggs of the native species who are only trying to defend their territory to use as fuel.

And then there's the whole "Grizzco" bear is likely eating the salmon eggs aspect...

 

So, after the chamionship finals yesterday they announced that the Octo expansion was dropping today. Apparently includes around 80 stages of content. There's also an amiibo 3-pack on the horizon as well.



What's interesting is that the expansion basically takes place in an area trapped underground, so time has kinda been frozen down there, so it's essentially full of 80's references.

 

I've only watched the demos they played during Treehouse at E3, sadly (I need a Switch! ), but I did preorder the Octoling 3-pack ammibos (as well as Wolf, Ridley and the Shovel Knight 3-pack) .

 

Nintendo posted video of another live concert from last year the other week:

Post made July 2018. 3-pack finally shipped a year and a half later.

 

Now we know why Xeno 3 was moved.



EDIT- And the Octo Expansion DLC for Splat2 has been added to the Expansion Pass!