Posted: 3 years ago, last updated 2 weeks ago.
Author: @GeekDadGamer and Jo Robertson.
Overview
For younger players, this is a good alternative to more violent shooting games like Fortnite, but every bit as skilful and exuberant.
Game Details
Release Date: 21/07/2017, updated in 2022
Platforms: Switch and Wii U
Content Rating: PEGI 7
Skill Rating: 8+ year-olds
Players: 1-8 (8 online)
Genres: Shooting, Traversal (Action and Platform)
Accessibility: 24 features
Components: 3D First-Person and Cartoon
Lists
Duration
Play Style
You can play this game in the following styles:
Benefits
This game has been the inspiration for the following activities:
Age Ratings
Skill Rating
8+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Although the game looks perfect for super young players, you do need quite a bit of dexterity and motor skill to enjoy it. For children who have had a few years in school this is a great game, building team work and paint-covering strategy.
Our Game Pathways reveal how 11-year-olds play this game:
- 11-year-old: Competitive Splatting
Account Rating
- You need be 18-years-old to subscribe to Nintendo Online, but can then create accounts for children of any age to play online with Nintendo Switch.
Costs
Splatoon
Splatoon 2
Splatoon 3
There are the following additional costs associated with this game:- In-Game Purchases: Additional in-game purchases are offered for items that enhance the experience.
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You need a subscription to play online:
- You need to purchase a Nintendo Online subscription to play online with Nintendo Switch.
This game supports Nintendo's amiibo, figurines and cards that can be purchased separately to unlock in-game items.
If you subscribe to Nintendo Online for 12 months (required to play online) you also get a free set of clothing and other items.
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
Accessibility
Splatoon 2 doesn't have difficulty settings by offers matches of a variety of challenges and there are good tutorials for each mode and spaces in which to practice with each weapon.
There is reading to do, the text is quite big but the font is stylised.
There are a range of controls. Motion controls are default but can be switched off in favour of sticks. Sensitivity can be adjusted.
The colours are bright and can be locked to blue and yellow for colourblind mode. Rumble is used to communicate when you’ve taken damage and give you feedback on your movement.
The sound effects and score are also pretty helpful in anticipating attacks (although not the stealth attacks). You can't adjust the sound effects and music separately.
Diversity and Inclusion

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