Twelve years ago, the idea of Nintendo releasing a competitive multiplayer shooter seemed improbable. The resulting game, Splatoon, defied expectations with its unique paintball mechanics for territory capture and a novel ink-travel system. The franchise also developed robust in-universe fashion and music cultures, ultimately becoming a 30-million-selling series. Polygon hails Splatoon as one of Nintendo's most inventive and broadly relevant games of the last 15 years, and its most exciting new franchise in that period.
Developed by a younger generation of Nintendo designers, Splatoon is noted for its ability to observe trends in the broader gaming landscape and recontextualize them in a distinctly Nintendo fashion. This approach is also seen in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Splatoon's success demonstrates Nintendo's capacity for innovation, even in genres it has not previously explored.
The recent release of Splatoon Raiders, a spinoff that adapts Splatoon's core mechanics into a player-versus-environment looter-shooter, further exemplifies this. Reviews have compared it to titles like Borderlands and Diablo, with Polygon noting that Nintendo has successfully applied its distinctive aesthetic and design sensibilities to an "oversubscribed genre" in a way that makes it feel fresh. This mirrors the impact of the original Splatoon on the competitive shooter genre.
Beyond introducing new gameplay experiences, Splatoon provides Nintendo with an outlet for a more "punk" and "cool" identity, showcasing a boisterous competitive spirit. In an era where Nintendo's consistent quality and timeless franchises can sometimes overshadow its need for newness, Splatoon represents a vital injection of fresh energy. The author suggests that Nintendo needs this kind of revitalization as much as any other creative endeavor, as art and entertainment thrive on novelty.
Polygon argues that Splatoon should not be Nintendo's sole venture into diverse genres. The company is encouraged to pursue more titles like Splatoon, Pikmin, and WarioWare, venturing beyond its established comfort zones. Exploring unfamiliar genres, such as roguelikes or "friendslop" games, could yield unique and characteristically Nintendo experiences that would stand apart from existing titles in those categories.