The Switch 2 gives Splatoon 3 a fantastically fresh coat of paint
Splatoon 3 already looked phenomenal on the original Switch, in a way that seemed to defy the console's hardware limitations. The game's paint-slicked visuals were gorgeous, and its chaotic battles were a testament to how well the Switch could run software that was fine-tuned to make the best of its specs. What was most impressive, though, was the way Splatoon 3 kept refreshing itself for years after its initial 2022 release with a steady stream of new clothes, weapons, stages, and a nifty DLC expansion.
Splatoon 3 felt like it had reached its zenith on the original Switch - so much so that a full-on sequel seemed like the franchise's logical next step as Nintendo prepared to release the Switch 2. But thanks to an unexpected update, Splatoon 3 plays like a slicker, sleeker, and more modern shooter on the new console. And while the improvements aren't quite as dramatic as what we saw with Fortnite, they're big enough to make Splatoon 3 feel like it's more than capable of holding down the fort while Nintendo focuses on developing whatever's next.
While battles within Splatoon 3 have always maxed out at 60fps, the first thing that jumps out about the game post-update is how that hi …