Splatoon 3 Update Makes Sacrifices on Switch 1

Following the launch of Splatoon 3 version 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 the Splatoon 3 graphical 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 3 launched Patch 10.0.0, which saw some changes to the way the game performs on the Switch 2. According to the Splatoon 3 version 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 like Super Mario Odyssey, the Switch 2 upgrade for Splatoon 3 is free to all users as part of version 10.0.0.

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Although Splatoon 3 initially launched on the original Switch console, the arrival of the Switch 2 and the significant hardware differences between the two consoles were highlighted once version 10.0.0 went live. As reported by Nintendo Life, Splatoon 3 version 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 to Splatoon 3 were 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

Splatoon 3 version 10.0.0 saw a graphical downgrade on the original Switch in certain online game modes.
The change was made to keep frame rates consistent between the Switch and the Switch 2.
Background elements that had no impact on gameplay were slightly downgraded.
The changes to Splatoon 3 were the first of their kind among both Nintendo Switch generations.

The affected graphical assets were mostly restricted to background details that should have little impact on Splatoon 3 matches, other than ensuring Switch players can remain competitive with the Switch 2 crowd. Splatoon 3 is 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 compared the 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 of Splatoon 3‘s 10.0.0 update and the sudden announcement of Splatoon 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.