Update #2 [Wed 3rd Jul, 2024 06:00 BST]: This Splatoon 3 + The Expansion Pass is now confirmed for Europe, launching later this month July 25, 2024.
Update #1: Nintendo of Australia has just confirmed the Western release – announcing that the same physical bundle will be released locally on July 25, 2024 at select retailers.
Original [Thu 20th Jun, 2024 05:00 BST]: Nintendo has announced that they will release a new physical version of Splatoon 3 in Japan next month July 18, 2024.
This new bundle will come with a copy of the game, the Expansion Pass (which includes Inkopolis update and Side dishes DLC) as well as a three-month Switch Online subscription. It’s not clear whether everything is actually included in the game card, but Nintendo has done this with Switch game packs and DLC before.
For now, this physical bundle is only confirmed for Japan, but if we hear any updates, we’ll let you know. If you haven’t played the Splatoon 3 DLC yet, be sure to check out our previous coverage. Inkopolis sees the return of the Squid Sisters, and Side Order adds a brand new single-player experience.
Here is a small example of our Side Order review:
“We find ourselves constantly coming back to try just one more run turned into five, so that speaks for itself. Splatoon fans rejoice, this is another great one.”
Again, this isn’t the first time Nintendo has released update packs containing expansions and DLC. They’ve done this before for Switch games like Splatoon 2, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Pokémon Sword + Shield And Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
