Summary:
Splatoon 2 has received a small but important update with version 5.5.2, released on October 15, 2025. The patch targets a specific League Battles issue that appeared when lobbies included both Nintendo Switch 2 and original Nintendo Switch players. In those mixed eight-player battles, League Power sometimes didn’t change after the match—win or lose—undercutting the integrity of ranked progression. With the fix now live, League Power updates should once again reflect actual results, helping teams see their effort pay off and keeping the competitive ladder honest. You won’t see new weapons, stages, or balance changes here, but you will notice steadier ranking behavior across cross-generation lobbies. That’s a real quality-of-life win for anyone still grinding League with friends on different hardware. We’ll walk through what changed, why it matters, how to confirm your game is on the latest version, and a handful of practical tips to settle your rating now that the calculation is back on track. If you’ve been wondering why your numbers felt stuck lately, this patch is the missing piece.
What’s new in Splatoon 2 version 5.5.2
Version 5.5.2 focuses on a single, clearly defined problem: League Power not updating correctly after matches when a lobby included a mix of Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 players. That meant an entire session could end without any movement on your rating, even if your team just clutched a nail-biter. The patch corrects that logic so League Power changes are applied normally once a match finishes. No weapon tweaks, no stage rotations, no UI changes—just a targeted fix to restore accurate ranking behavior in cross-generation League Battles. Think of it as the maintenance that keeps the ranking engine humming, rather than a flashy coat of paint.
Why the League Power fix matters for ranked integrity
League Power is the heartbeat of competitive Splatoon 2. It’s the immediate feedback loop that tells you, “That set mattered.” When the number fails to budge after a hard-fought win, players start to doubt the system. Over time, that erodes trust and nudges people away from League entirely. By restoring consistent updates in mixed hardware lobbies, the patch shores up the basic promise of ranked play: performance translates into progression. It also prevents awkward team conversations—no more wondering whether the last match “counted” or if the game silently shrugged. Your rating should now behave the way you expect, which is exactly what a competitive scene needs to stay healthy.
Cross-gen fairness and the social calendar
Plenty of squads are split across hardware generations. Some folks upgraded to Switch 2, others are happily inking on the original system, and Saturday night League still brings everyone together. If your crew plays across both consoles, this fix keeps your evenings productive. Wins move the meter, losses do too, and scrims translate into real ranking signal. It’s the difference between practicing on a treadmill and actually getting somewhere.
How the bug showed up in mixed Switch and Switch 2 lobbies
The issue only appeared when both systems were represented among the eight players in a League Battle. That’s common enough—matchmaking doesn’t wall off older hardware—so the effect felt random from a player’s perspective. You’d finish a set that clearly should impact your League Power, and… nothing. Because it didn’t happen every match, it was easy to chalk up to bad luck until patterns emerged, with players noticing the correlation to cross-generation lobbies. The fix removes that odd edge case so the post-match pipeline applies rating changes as expected.
What players should notice after updating
Two things. First, League Power updates should be predictable again: a strong set lifts you, a rough one lowers you, and close calls nudge the number accordingly. Second, session planning becomes more reliable. If you set a goal like “Let’s climb 100 points tonight,” you’ll actually see that reflected as long as your play backs it up. Expect your post-match screens to feel more meaningful—no more holding your breath and hoping the number isn’t frozen.
Signs the fix is working for you
Keep an eye on your first few mixed-hardware sessions after installing the patch. If your League Power moves consistently after every match, you’re good. If it ever stalls, double-check your version number and network stability. In most cases, the difference will be immediate and obvious: rating changes that match your results without the weird “stuck” behavior.
How to check your game version and install the patch
On the Switch or Switch 2 home screen, highlight Splatoon 2, press the “+” button, and select “Software Update.” Choose “Via the Internet” to fetch the latest version. Automatic updates will pull 5.5.2 on their own, but a manual check is quick if you’re jumping into League soon. On the software information screen, confirm the version reads “5.5.2.” If it doesn’t, restart the console, ensure you’re online, and try again. Storage tight? Clear a little space to make sure the download can complete. Once that number shows 5.5.2, you’re ready to queue.
Cross-generation play: what still works and what to expect
Splatoon 2 continues to allow players on Switch and Switch 2 to match together. That’s great for friend groups and returning squads, and it means the player base stays connected instead of splitting by hardware. The 5.5.2 patch doesn’t change how you form parties or join friends—it simply ensures that when the match ends, your League Power reflects the outcome. Latency rules, lobby flow, and map/mode availability remain the same as before.
Will performance feel different on Switch vs Switch 2?
Differences in load times or subtle performance edges may exist between generations, but this patch doesn’t touch rendering or frame pacing. The fix is all about accurate rating updates. If you’re swapping consoles or mixing with teammates on different hardware, your results should carry the same weight regardless of who’s hosting or who joined late.
League Power basics: how it’s calculated and updated
League Power represents team performance over a set. It moves based on wins, losses, opponent strength, and occasionally the margin or quality of the result. That’s why some victories feel like big jumps and others only tick up a hair. When that number stops changing, the entire progression model loses its teeth. After 5.5.2, the usual levers are back in play. Beat stronger teams, gain more. Drop a close one to a powerhouse, expect a lighter hit. It’s the familiar rhythm many of us learned in the game’s prime.
Competitive tips to stabilize your rank post-patch
With rating movement restored, it’s a great time to tighten habits. Queue during hours when teammates are available for voice chat, lock in roles before the first match, and stick to weapon kits your squad knows cold. Track map/mode rotations and align your picks with the objectives—a brilliant slosher can still get lost on a bad mode if the team comp ignores the win condition. Most of all, avoid tilt: stop after a rough set, recalibrate, and return when heads are clear. Your League Power will thank you.
Small edges that add up
Set a modest session goal—say, a 50-point climb—and treat every game like it’s the one that gets you there. Swap to comfort picks on tiebreakers, spend a minute reviewing the previous loss instead of insta-queuing, and keep specials staggered so you’re never dry in crunch time. Little choices stack into real momentum, and now that the game correctly records your progress, those choices pay off.
Community reaction and official confirmation
Word of the patch spread fast through the usual channels, with players flagging the League Power fix and sharing quick checks on whether their rating moved post-match. Official support pages list the update plainly, and gaming outlets amplified the change with short posts summarizing the single-line patch note. The sentiment is simple: it’s not a flashy update, but it fixes the exact pain point people noticed. That kind of responsiveness matters late in a game’s life.
What this means for Splatoon 2’s late-life support
Even small fixes send a signal. Maintaining accurate ranking data keeps the competitive ladder credible and extends the game’s lifespan for squads who still prefer Splatoon 2’s flow. Plenty of players bounce between entries, and a stable League ecosystem encourages those returns—especially when the social draw is strong. We may not see new content drops, but targeted maintenance like this keeps the lights bright where it counts.
Should returning players jump back in?
If the League Power quirk pushed you away, 5.5.2 is your green light. Dust off your favorite weapon, ping the old crew, and give a session an honest shot. With ratings behaving, you’ll get a fair read on where your team stands and where practice can lift you next.
Known limitations and what wasn’t changed
This patch doesn’t include balance adjustments, map tweaks, or mode changes. It also doesn’t alter Salmon Run, Turf War, or private lobbies. Think of 5.5.2 as a precision tool: it fixes a single ranking-update problem in League Battles when both Switch and Switch 2 players are present. If you’re hunting for weapon buffs or QoL extras, keep expectations measured. The win is clarity—nothing more, nothing less.
Quick troubleshooting if your version won’t update
If you’re stuck below 5.5.2, try the basics: restart your console, verify your internet connection, and check you have enough free space. Make sure “Auto-Update Software” is enabled in System Settings. If your friends already see the new version, ask one to create the lobby and join via friends list—sometimes that nudge helps. Worst case, power cycle your router and try again. Once your system pulls the update, confirm the version number and you’re set.
After the patch: sanity-check your rating
When you’re on 5.5.2, play a short set in League with at least one teammate on the other console generation. Watch the post-match screen closely. If your League Power changes every time, you’re in the clear. If it doesn’t, capture a brief clip and check for any local issues—then try a fresh session. Most players will see normal movement right away.
Practical session plan to rebuild momentum
Plan a two-hour window with your squad, pick a primary comp, and define a fallback set of weapons for counterpicks. Warm up with one unranked scrim, then hit League with a target number in mind. Between matches, take 30 seconds to call out one thing to adjust—flank timing, special layering, or zone anchor positioning. If you go down two sets in a row, swap roles or take a short break. The goal is simple: make every game count now that the rating system is behaving again.
Communication checklist for tighter sets
Call enemy specials, ping wiped teams, and name a focus target before pushes. Use short, consistent terms your group understands—no essays mid-fight. Agree on retreat spots and super jump anchors. Those micro-structures keep a shaky set from spiraling and help convert small leads into secure wins.
Mindset refresh: enjoy the climb
League Power is a number, but it’s also a story. It tells you that your rotations improved, that your charger tightened up, that your support learned when to peel. With 5.5.2 straightening out the math behind the scenes, the story gets clearer. Try to appreciate the little milestones as you go—clean caps, smart retreats, perfect special chains. That’s the good stuff.
Conclusion
Version 5.5.2 doesn’t add new toys—it restores trust. By fixing the League Power update bug in mixed Switch and Switch 2 lobbies, Splatoon 2 gives competitive players a fair shake again, letting results map cleanly to rating. If you’ve got friends across console generations, queue up with confidence. Confirm your version, play your plan, and watch the number move when it should. That’s the kind of small patch that makes a big difference on a Friday night grind.
FAQs
- Does 5.5.2 add new weapons or stages?
- No. It’s a targeted fix for League Power not updating after matches in mixed Switch/Switch 2 lobbies.
- How do I confirm I’m on 5.5.2?
- On the home screen, press “+” on Splatoon 2, open “Software Information,” and check the version. If needed, select “Software Update → Via the Internet.”
- Will my League Power move every match now?
- Yes, as long as your game is updated and the match concludes normally, your League Power should change according to the result.
- Does the patch affect other modes?
- No. It only addresses League Battle rating behavior. Turf War, Salmon Run, and Private Battles are unchanged.
- Can Switch and Switch 2 users still play together?
- Absolutely. Cross-generation lobbies still work; the patch simply ensures post-match rating updates are applied correctly.
Sources
- How to Update Splatoon 2, Nintendo Support, October 15, 2025
- Splatoon 2 Version 5.5.2 Now Live For Switch And Switch 2, Nintendo Life, October 16, 2025
- Splatoon 2 5.5.2 update out now, patch notes, Nintendo Everything, October 15, 2025
- Splatoon 2 updated to Version 5.5.2 (patch notes), My Nintendo News, October 16, 2025
- Version 5.5.2 (Splatoon 2), Inkipedia, October 16, 2025
