Following the launch ofSplatoon 3version 10.0.0, Nintendo confirmed that the popular team shooter saw a slight but noticeable graphical downgrade on the original Switch. However, the developer stated that theSplatoon 3graphical change was made to maintain the same frame rate performance in multiplayer game modes across both the Switch and the Switch 2.
On the evening of June 11,Splatoon 3launched Patch 10.0.0, which saw some changes to the way the game performs on the Switch 2.According to theSplatoon 3version 10.0.0 notes, several textures were updated in areas across Inkopolis and Splatsville when played on the Switch 2, along with screen displays being more detailed. Several animations for creatures like Salmonids and jellyfish were ironed out on the Switch 2, and the resolution for images captured on the Switch 2 version was increased. Similar to titles likeSuper Mario Odyssey, the Switch 2 upgrade forSplatoon 3is free to all users as part of version 10.0.0.
AlthoughSplatoon 3initially launched on the original Switch console, the arrival of the Switch 2 andthe significant hardware differences between the two consoles were highlightedonce version 10.0.0 went live. As reported byNintendo Life,Splatoon 3version 10.0.0 also made some graphical changes to the original Switch version of the game as a way to keep things fair for players who have yet to upgrade to the Switch 2. The areas that were changed in the original Switch were stages that support the Clam Blitz, Splat Zones, Rainmaker, and Tower Control battle modes. Nintendo stated that the changes toSplatoon 3were made to reduce some performance differences between the Switch and the Switch 2, and keep competitive Splatoon 3 matches fair for all players on each console.
Splatoon 3 Made Graphical Changes on Switch 1 to Keep Up With Switch 2
The affected graphical assets were mostly restricted to background details that should have little impact onSplatoon 3matches, other than ensuring Switch players can remain competitive with the Switch 2 crowd.Splatoon 3is the first Nintendo title to have separate performance adjustments on the Switch and Switch 2, with the former prioritizing frame rates over graphical fidelity. Given that developers have comparedthe Switch 2’s graphical power to the Xbox Series S, it remains to be seen if other Nintendo titles with online components will follow suit.
Between the launch ofSplatoon 3’s 10.0.0 update andthe sudden announcement ofSplatoon Raiders, fans of the ink-spraying shooter series have had a busy week of news. Only time will tell what Nintendo will do to keep the momentum going.
