Splatoon 3 Keeps Growing Four Years After Launch

It is not often that a multiplayer game sees a rise in players several years after its release. However, Splatoon 3 is bucking that trend. Director Seita Inoue recently shared that the game has seen higher player counts in 2026 compared to 2025, which is quite impressive considering the game arrived on the Nintendo Switch back in 2022.

Inoue credits this surprising growth to the debut of Splatoon Raiders. As the first official spin off in the series, it seems the new title has sparked renewed interest in the entire franchise. Fans who were curious about the spin off often find themselves returning to the main game as well.

This growth proves that the community remains very active even as the game enters its later years. It is a win for Nintendo and for players who still enjoy dropping into turf wars. We look forward to seeing how the series continues to flourish throughout the rest of the year.