Summary:
Splatoon 3 is about to feel brand-new again. On June 12, Nintendo rolled out Version 10.0.0 for both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Players can expect 30 fresh weapon kits from the bold Barazushi and Emberz lines, a nostalgic return to Urchin Underpass, and a hefty performance makeover that lets the new console flex its muscles with smoother frame rates, sharper details, and speedier load times. The patch also raises every weapon’s Freshness ceiling, adds collectible badges, and introduces Series Weapon Power, a matchmaking stat that encourages experimentation without punishing your rank. Best of all, friends on different hardware can still ink together. With Splatoon Raiders also on the horizon, the series is gearing up for its busiest summer yet.
The Splatoon 3 Update Arrives: What Changed on June 12
June 12 will feel like a global block party for Inklings and Octolings. While sunny skies greet Splatville, the servers will deliver Version 10.0.0 to every console in sight. We get the Splatlands collection—30 weapon kits that remix fan favorites—and an old stomping ground in Urchin Underpass. Nintendo is also sneaking in quality-of-life tweaks, badge rewards, audio smoothing, and a sprinkling of netcode tweaks. If your turf-war schedule is packed, plan a quick pit stop on the eShop beforehand so the download doesn’t steal valuable ink-slinging time.
Download Size and Timing
The patch weighs in at roughly 5 GB. On a solid connection that’s about the length of two Anarchy Series sets. Switch 2’s faster storage trims the install window further, so you could be back on the streets before the lobby music finishes its loop.
Enhanced Visual Fidelity on Nintendo Switch 2
Your eyes will notice the difference before your trigger finger does. Splatsville’s billboards shimmer with extra neon, puddles throw realistic reflections, and hub NPCs animate with new fluidity. Frame rates now hold a steady 60 fps across plazas and menus, matching the smoothness already seen in battle. That parity matters: no one gets an unfair aiming edge, yet everyone enjoys cleaner motion. Even Salmon Run’s frantic fog waves run silkier, letting you track Boss Salmonids without squinting.
Shorter Load Times
Matchmaking still depends on eight human beings, but the moment those slots fill, loading transitions feel nearly instant on Switch 2. Returning to the square after a lobby stint now resembles flicking a light switch instead of waiting for an escalator ride.
Environmental Details
Notice the graffiti near Ammo Knights? The brushed-on stickers are sharper, and jellyfish pedestrians sport crisper outlines. Such flourishes don’t alter gameplay, yet they breathe life into the city and make victory selfies pop.
Splatlands Collection: Meet the Barazushi Kits
The first half of the new arsenal carries the Barazushi badge—a brand famous for marrying elegance with raw stopping power. Think of these kits as culinary-grade katanas: sharp, balanced, and beautiful. Each one is a familiar shell filled with new gadgetry. For instance, the Barazushi Splattershot swaps Suction Bombs for Burst Bombs, encouraging aggressive flanks before unleashing a Crab Tank special. Meanwhile, the Barazushi Tri-Stringer pairs Toxic Mist with Trizooka, turning it into an area-denial maestro.
Barazushi Brand Philosophy
Barazushi’s designers liken their approach to plating sashimi: everything should look inviting but hide a precise cut waiting to strike. That means sleek lines, pearlescent finishes, and accents that glow under stage lights. When you wield one, your rival instantly knows you’re packing something fresh—pun very much intended.
Emberz Weapons: Style Meets Strategy
If Barazushi feels like fine dining, Emberz is the food-truck flame. Expect graffiti panels, hot-rod reds, and sparks that lick off the muzzle. The Emberz Shooter Pro ditches Splat Bombs for a Torpedo, pairing it with the Reefslider to bulldoze entrenched Chargers. On the support side, the Emberz Slosher gains the Angle Shooter sub and a Triple Inkstrike special, letting crafty players paint lines of power before raining fire on unsuspecting rooftops.
Why Emberz Stands Out
Emberz kits glow with reactive decals that pulse when your special is ready. Beyond eye-candy value, that visual cue helps teammates coordinate pushes—think of it as a “ready” emote baked into your loadout.
Synergies to Try on Day One
Pair the Emberz Shooter Pro with Swim Speed Up gear to dive behind enemy lines after a Torpedo distraction, then pop Reefslider to clear space around the Rainmaker. It’s a play pattern that rewards daredevils who refuse to trade style for safety.
Urchin Underpass Reimagined for Modern Turf Wars
Veterans will feel a warm rush of nostalgia stepping onto this concrete playground. Yet the layout isn’t a carbon copy of its Wii U version. Central pillars are slimmer, allowing Tri-Stringers to thread explosive arrows through gaps once considered safe. Wall decals now shift with the time of day, and dynamic lighting spotlights mid-bridge showdowns like a tiny coliseum. The map still favors aggressive rotations, so Chargers may camp spawns, but clever Inkjet users can vault over newly added railings to counter-snipe.
Strategic Adjustments
Watch for the widened underpass lanes; they encourage more 1-v-1 duels instead of chaotic group skirmishes. Throw in a well-placed Big Bubbler, and you can lock down an entire side route.
Freshness Cap Rise: Incentives to Keep Playing
Nothing feels worse than hitting the old Freshness ceiling and seeing “MAX!” flash after every win. Version 10.0.0 bumps that limit dramatically, rewarding dedication with color-shifted nameplates and sparkly badges. Each milestone brings a new splash on your locker, so even casual scrolls through friends’ profiles become mini bragging sessions. The best part? You can chase these rewards without losing rank progress, because Series Weapon Power isolates performance per kit.
Badge Collecting for Bragging Rights
Gold weapon badges now sit higher than ever before, and rumor has it an ultra-rare holographic tier awaits the true die-hards. If your locker lacks that rainbow shimmer, the race is on.
Understanding Series Weapon Power Matching
Series Weapon Power is Nintendo’s answer to a common community gripe: “I like this quirky kit, but the lobby punishes me for experimenting.” The new stat calculates a separate power level for each weapon based on your win-loss ratio in Anarchy Series matches. Swap from the Barazushi Roller to the Emberz Blaster, and matchmaking adjusts accordingly. You’ll meet opponents testing similar guns instead of league-tuned meta monsters. The system also encourages you to return to dormant favorites, since they carry lower initial power and therefore friendlier lobbies until you rack up victories.
Tips for Climbing Quickly
Play five quick matches with any fresh kit to establish a baseline power number. From there, streaks affect gains more than isolated wins, so prioritize consistent team compositions and avoid rage-quitting mid-set—it tanks your hidden multiplier.
Seamless Play Across Switch Generations
Not everyone will upgrade hardware on day one, and Nintendo knows it. Version 10.0.0 maintains cross-platform lobbies, meaning Grandpa on his launch Switch can still squad up with your fancy Switch 2 OLED. Frame rates equalize in battle to keep matches fair, though pre-game plaza wanderings let Switch 2 show off its extra polish. Voice chat, amiibo support, and SplatNet tracking remain unchanged, so your existing routines slot smoothly into the new ecosystem.
Future-Proofing Your Save Data
Cloud saves still back up gear, catalog progress, and locker décor. If you migrate to Switch 2 later, merely sign in and hit download—your painstakingly arranged table-tennis paddle collection will greet you intact.
Preparing Your Arsenal Ahead of Launch
The best players treat patch days like festivals: arrive early, stay hydrated, and learn the menu. Stockpile drink tickets that roll gear perks toward Swim Speed or Main Saver; those attributes synergize well with rapid-fire Emberz kits. Clear your locker floor to display new badges proudly. Finally, watch the official patch notes video to preview sub-weapon combinations—you don’t want to waste the first few test runs fumbling muscle memory.
Many Discord servers schedule day-one scrims to explore fresh metas. Jump in to spar with friendly rivals before ranked points are on the line. The stress-free environment helps internalize new sightlines on Urchin Underpass.
Beyond the Patch: How Splatoon Raiders Fits In
All this noise arrives alongside the reveal of Splatoon Raiders, the franchise’s first real spin-off. Raiders focuses on adventure-platforming across the Spirhalite Islands, featuring Deep Cut as traveling mentors. While it’s Switch 2-exclusive, its announcement underscores Nintendo’s commitment to support Splatoon 3 long after Raiders launches. Think of Version 10.0.0 as the bridge: it tunes current multiplayer, keeps older hardware relevant, and sparks hype for fresh storytelling. If you plan to pick up Raiders, mastering the new Splatlands weapons now may deepen your appreciation for the shared universe later.
Conclusion
Version 10.0.0 does far more than ship new toys. It modernizes Splatoon 3 for the Switch 2 era, future-proofs the player base, and rekindles the thrill of discovery with every badge earned and alleyway detail noticed. Whether you care about ranked grind, casual Turf War laughs, or the wider lore setting the stage for Splatoon Raiders, June 12 is circled in neon ink on the calendar. Grab your favorite pair of kicks and let’s paint the town—again.
FAQs
- When does the update go live? – Nintendo rolls out Version 10.0.0 worldwide on June 12, 2025. Exact unlock time may vary slightly by region.
- Do I need a Switch 2 to access new weapons? – No. Barazushi and Emberz kits arrive on both Switch and Switch 2, though visual enhancements are exclusive to the newer console.
- Will my rank reset under Series Weapon Power? – Your overall Anarchy rank stays put. Series Weapon Power only influences matchmaking for the weapon you equip.
- Is Urchin Underpass permanent? – Yes. Once added, the stage will rotate alongside existing maps in regular and ranked playlists.
- Can Switch and Switch 2 players join the same lobby? – Absolutely. Matchmaking pools remain unified, so mixed-hardware squads can keep splatting together.
Sources
- Everything included in the Splatoon 3 – Version 10.0.0 update, Nintendo, June 12 2025
- Splatoon 3 To Get Free Switch 2 Update Later This Week, NintendoLife, June 11 2025
- The Switch 2 gives Splatoon 3 a fantastically fresh coat of paint, The Verge, June 14 2025
- Splatoon Raiders, the First-Ever Splatoon Spinoff Game, Is Coming to Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo, June 10 2025
- Splatoon Raiders is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 and getting a big Splatoon 3 update, The Economic Times, June 12 2025
