Summary:
The ink is barely dry on a decade of turf wars, yet Nintendo has found a fresh way to keep the beats pumping. Switch Online subscribers in supported regions can now stream every single song from the original Splatoon through the Nintendo Music app on iOS and Android. The full 47-track playlist arrives just in time for the franchise’s tenth birthday, bringing back the electric charm of Squid Squad, Chirpy Chips, Turquoise October, and the beloved Squid Sisters. Beyond the music, fans can trade platinum points for limited-time icon parts, rotating each week so nobody has to miss their favorite Inkling, Octoling, or quirky stage mascot. This celebratory drop marries nostalgia with convenience: long-requested tunes are finally a tap away, while exclusive profile flair keeps the party rolling long after the credits. Whether you crave the frantic riff of “Splattack!” or the anthemic “Calamari Inkantation,” the anniversary release ensures that every victory jingle and story-mode earworm is right there in your pocket. Ready to crank the volume and make a statement on your Switch profile? Let’s wade into the ink and see what makes this soundtrack release and icon event such a big splash.
Splatoon’s Musical Entry
Ten years ago, Splatoon burst onto the scene with neon ink, fast feet, and a soundtrack that felt like a living creature. Each riff channeled the bustling vibe of Inkopolis, turning every lobby wait into a toe-tapping warm-up and every ranked match into a private concert. Now, to celebrate a decade of color-splashed chaos, Nintendo is giving that soundtrack an official home inside the Nintendo Music app. No more hunting through random uploads or cobbling together playlists—everything is curated, polished, and ready for instant playback. This move is more than a convenience; it’s a love letter to longtime fans who have been humming these tunes since the Wii U days, and a gateway for newcomers wondering why everyone gets goosebumps when the first notes of “Now or Never!” hit.
Unlocking the Nintendo Music App
Accessing the new library addition is as easy as splatting an unguarded Splat Zone. Grab the Nintendo Music app from the iOS App Store or Google Play (availability varies by region), sign in with your Nintendo Account, and make sure your Switch Online membership is active. Once inside, look for the bright pink Splatoon banner. Tap it, and the full playlist pops up, neatly organized by in-game band so you can jump straight to your favorite flavor—be it the punk-rock growl of Squid Squad or the bubbly chiptune bounce of Chirpy Chips. Thanks to cloud streaming, songs load in seconds, and a handy “Download for Offline” toggle keeps them spinning even when the subway Wi-Fi drops.
Why the Splatoon Soundtrack Still Slaps After 10 Years
Music in Splatoon isn’t just background noise; it’s world-building in audio form. Each fictional band has its own lore, fan base, and even faux album artwork, making the OST feel like a shared cultural artifact from a universe parallel to ours. Play “Kraken Up” today and the frenetic bassline still triggers memories of early morning ranked grinds, while “Bomb Rush Blush” brings back the thrill of the first-ever Splatfest finale. The genius lies in how the composers baked game mechanics into the music—dynamic layers swell when overtime begins, tempo shifts mirror momentum swings, and victory jingles release endorphins that scientists can probably measure. After ten years, the soundtrack’s genre-blending approach continues to influence multiplayer shooters and rhythm games alike, proving that squid-punk never goes out of style.
Forty-seven tracks might feel like a buffet, so here are a few morsels you shouldn’t miss:
Fan-Favorite Battle Themes
“Splattack!” remains the unofficial national anthem of Inkopolis. Its distorted guitar stabs and rapid-fire drums mimic inkshots hitting the turf, instantly transporting listeners to frantic 4v4 clashes. Meanwhile, “Seaskape” layers surf-rock licks over breakbeats, perfect for those heart-pounding final thirty seconds when every pixel of ink counts.
Squid Squad Standouts
Squid Squad steals the limelight with “Ink or Sink”—a track that toggles between crunchy riffs and synth arpeggios, reflecting the push-and-pull of map control. If you crave something heavier, “Metalopod” flexes double-kick drums and a wailing guitar solo that could melt even a Dynamo Roller’s armor.
Melodic Moments Off the Battlefield
The soundtrack doesn’t sleep when the match ends. “Inkopolis News” by the Squid Sisters is an instant mood-booster, punctuated by cheerful yelps that remind fans of endless amiibo photo sessions. For story-mode nostalgia, “Octoling Rendezvous” by Turquoise October juxtaposes eerie synth pads with bright marimbas, capturing the uneasy alliance between Octolings and Inklings.
Behind the Scenes: Composers and In-Game Bands
While the playlist credits fictional acts, real-world talent drives the magic. Lead composer Toru Minegishi borrowed cues from J-punk, drum ’n’ bass, and shoegaze, building an audio palette as bold as Splatoon’s color scheme. Yasuaki Iwata’s electronic wizardry spliced chip-tune nostalgia into futuristic layers, while Shiho Fujii coordinated vocal processing that turned incomprehensible squid language into catchy hooks. Nintendo’s sound team didn’t merely write tracks; they crafted band identities, complete with fictional interviews in the game’s lore. This meta-approach tricked many into Googling Squid Squad tour dates—only to realize the group exists solely in Inkopolis gossip magazines.
Streaming Quality and Compatibility
Every track streams at 320 kbps, making hi-hat cymbals sparkle and basslines punch without distortion. Bluetooth headphones retain stereo imaging that helps players place distant splats when playing handheld, while wired audiophiles get lossless-grade clarity thanks to optional high-resolution downloads. The Nintendo Music app syncs across iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, and progress tracking means pausing a track on your phone and resuming on a tablet is seamless. A car mode with oversize controls even lets drivers conduct a squid-sized rave at red lights—just watch the speedometer once “Tide Goes Out” drops.
Collecting 10th Anniversary Icon Parts
Music isn’t the only treat on offer. From May 28, 2025 onward, the Switch profile icon shop features rotating Splatoon icon parts. Want Callie winking in a retro polka-dot tee? Redeem 10 platinum points. Hoping to brandish a grinning Octoling framed by neon coral? That’s another 5 points. Backgrounds range from inky gradients to subtle stage skylines, letting you mix and match characters, frames, and motifs. Rotations roll out every seven days at roughly 16:00 JST, so mark your calendar or risk missing Captain Cuttlefish’s limited monocle pose.
Platinum Points: Earning and Spending Tips
Platinum points are the closest thing Nintendo has to arcade tickets. You snag them by playing mobile titles like Mario Kart Tour, completing weekly Switch Online missions, or even visiting the eShop. The Splatoon icons cost between 5 and 10 points apiece, so a single daily mission easily covers multiple pieces. Remember: parts disappear after a week, but any already purchased stay forever. Treat it like a sushi conveyor belt—grab what you love before the plate rolls out of reach.
Keeping Up with Weekly Icon Rotations
Because rotations are brisk, organization is key. Set a smartphone reminder every Tuesday night if you’re in Europe, or use a browser extension that pings when Nintendo’s reward page updates. Social media accounts such as @SplatoonJP often tease upcoming sets with colorful promo images, giving a sneak peek at which idol or deep-sea denizen will headline next. Friends trading screenshots is another lifesaver; nobody suffers more than the player who discovers an out-of-print icon set three months late.
Community Reactions and Future Updates
Within hours of launch, fan artists flooded timelines with fresh remixes and animated loops set to newly streamed tracks. Competitive teams updated their highlight reels, swapping generic EDM for the crisp official audio. The response underscores a truth: music glues the Splatoon community together as tightly as any ranked ladder. Looking ahead, many hope future updates will bring Splatoon 2 and 3 soundtracks into the same hub, uniting the trilogy in one playlist. If that happens, Nintendo Music might become the de-facto soundtrack for squid kids everywhere—whether they’re painting the town or just vibing during homework.
Conclusion
Nintendo’s anniversary drop turns nostalgia into something you can tap, stream, and customize. Forty-seven pulse-pounding tracks reawaken the energy of early turf wars, while rotating icon parts let every player flash their Inkopolis pride. Grab your headphones, rack up those platinum points, and let the squid-punk symphony carry you through another decade of color-soaked mayhem.
FAQs
- How do I access the Splatoon soundtrack?
- Download the Nintendo Music app on iOS or Android, sign in with your Nintendo Account, and open the Splatoon banner.
- Do I need Switch Online to listen?
- Yes, an active Nintendo Switch Online membership is required for streaming and offline downloads.
- Where can I earn platinum points quickly?
- Complete weekly Switch Online missions, log into the eShop daily, or clear tasks in mobile games like Super Mario Run.
- How long do icon parts stay in the shop?
- Each Splatoon anniversary set rotates out after one week, so claim favorites promptly.
- Will Splatoon 2 and 3 music arrive too?
- Nintendo hasn’t confirmed future additions, but community demand suggests further updates are likely.
Sources
- Splatoon JP Tweet Announcing 10th Anniversary Icon Parts, Splatoon JP, May 28, 2025
- Nintendo Official Newsroom – Nintendo Music App Update, Nintendo, May 28, 2025
