Splatoon: Unlockables and Secrets

Splatoon: Unlockables and Secrets#

Finding Hidden Items#

In Splatoon, hidden items are like secret treasures waiting to be discovered. Whether it’s extra gear, power-ups, or secret scrolls, finding these hidden goodies will give you an edge in both the single-player campaign and multiplayer battles. Here’s how to track down every hidden item in the game.

Explore Every Corner#

First rule of finding hidden items in Splatoon: don’t rush! Take your time to explore every corner of the map. Hidden items are often tucked away in places players might skip over during a speedrun. Look behind crates, under platforms, and even on top of high ledges.

Use Your Squid Form#

Your squid form isn’t just for quick escapes and ink travel—it’s also great for slipping into tight spaces. When you’re in squid form, you can move through grates and fences that your Inkling form can’t. Always check these spots for hidden pathways or secret areas.

Follow the Trail#

In many levels, you’ll notice trails of enemy ink or breadcrumbs leading off the beaten path. These trails frequently lead to hidden items. Use your ink to cover the trail, swim along it, and see where it takes you. Chances are, you’ll discover a hidden item at the end of the trail.

Look for Unusual Structures#

Keep an eye out for structures that seem out of place. Oddly placed boxes, walls with suspicious patterns, and platforms that look just a bit different from the rest are often there to hide something valuable. Shoot them with your ink to uncover hidden treasures.

Bust Open Crates#

Crates are everywhere in Splatoon, and breaking them open can often reveal hidden power-ups, armor, and secrets. When you see a crate, smash it with your weapon and see what pops out. Sometimes, even ordinary-looking crates can hide something extraordinary.

Bombs Away#

Special weapons like Splat Bombs and Burst Bombs can be your best friends when hunting for hidden items. Use bombs to break open walls or disrupt enemy ink. Sometimes, breaking these ink barriers can reveal hidden pathways or items tucked away in nooks and crannies.

Power Egg Clues#

Power eggs can be a big hint for hidden items. If you see a trail of power eggs leading off in an odd direction, follow them. These little guys usually lead to secret areas or items. Collect them as you go, and don’t forget to look around once you reach the end to find that prized hidden item.

Listen for Audio Cues#

Splatoon is rich in audio cues that can help you spot hidden items. Pay attention to the sound effects and background music. Sometimes, a different sound means you’re near a hidden spot. Listen carefully and move in the direction where the sound gets more intense.

By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to finding every hidden item in Splatoon. So grab your weapon, ink up, and start exploring. Happy hunting, Inklings!

Unlocking Secret Weapons#

Splatoon isn’t just about splatting opponents and covering turf. It also has a bunch of hidden weapons that can give you a serious edge in battle. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to unlock these secret weapons.

Complete the Single-Player Campaign#

First things first, if you haven’t played through the single-player campaign, you should. Not only is it a blast, but completing it also unlocks big bonuses in multiplayer mode. Here’s how you do it:

Finish Every Level: There are five worlds in the single-player campaign, each packed with various levels. You have to complete every level in all worlds to progress.
Defeat the Final Boss: At the end of the campaign, you’ll face a massive boss fight. Defeating this boss is essential to unlocking certain secret weapons for multiplayer.

Once you’ve conquered the campaign, you’ll earn the Hero Replica Weapons, which are exclusive variants of the main weapons you used in single-player mode.

The Amiibo Shortcut#

If you’re lucky enough to own Splatoon Amiibos, you’re in for a treat. These nifty figures can unlock exclusive gear and secret weapons. Here’s what you need to do:

Scan Your Amiibo: Head to the Amiibo box in Inkopolis Plaza and scan your Splatoon Amiibo.
Complete Amiibo Challenges: Each Amiibo comes with its own set of challenges. Finish these challenges to unlock secret weapons and gear.

Each Amiibo unlocks a different set of challenges, so try to get as many as you can for a full arsenal of secret weapons.

Salty Sea Snails and Spyke#

You can also unlock secret weapon upgrades through Salty Sea Snails, which you earn by participating in Splatfests. Here’s the process:

Participate in Splatfests: Splatfests are special events where the community votes on a topic and then battles it out. Win or lose, you’ll get Salty Sea Snails.
Talk to Spyke: Find Spyke in Inkopolis Plaza. He can upgrade your current gear, making it more powerful. This doesn’t unlock new weapons per se, but it makes your existing weapons much more effective.

Spyke may not offer new weapons straight out, but his upgrades can be the difference between winning and losing in tight matches.

Sheldon’s Weapon Unlocks#

Sheldon, the enthusiastic arms dealer at Ammo Knights, also plays a role in unlocking new weapons. Here’s what you need to understand:

Gain Levels: As you play through Turf Wars and ranked matches, you’ll gain experience points. With each new level, more weapons become available for purchase.
Sheldon’s Requests: Now and then, Sheldon will have special requests for you. Completing these can sometimes unlock new weapons or blueprints for existing ones.

The more you play, the more options you’ll have in Sheldon’s shop, so keep at it!

Good luck out there, Inkling! Follow these steps, and pretty soon, you’ll have a full arsenal of powerful weapons ready to go. Happy splatting!

Using Cheats and Shortcuts#

Splatoon is all about the thrill of ink battles, strategy, and having fun. But sometimes, it’s nice to find a little extra edge. Understanding how to use cheats and shortcuts can help you level up faster or discover hidden Easter eggs in the game. Here, we’ll break it down for you.

Amiibo Support#

One of the coolest ways to get exclusive gear and challenges in Splatoon is by using Amiibo. These little figurines unlock special content in the game. Here’s a quick rundown:

Inkling Boy Amiibo: Unlocks exclusive challenges and gear like the Samurai Suit.
Inkling Girl Amiibo: Provides access to the School Uniform set and unique missions.
Inkling Squid Amiibo: This one is your ticket to the Power Armor set and special challenges.

Simply tap the Amiibo on your Nintendo Switch’s NFC reader, and you’ll see the goodies appear in the game.

Super Jump Without Getting Splat#

Super jumping to allies is an essential move, but it often leaves you wide open. A nifty shortcut is using the Squid Beacon. Place a beacon in a safe area, and you can super jump to it without rushing into enemy fire. This move is great for setting up surprise attacks or quick escapes. Plus, it keeps your respawn pace up, minimizing downtime.

Maps in Splatoon have hidden routes and shortcuts that can give you a strategic advantage. Remember to look for these:

Alleyways and Side Paths: Almost every map has these. They are often less guarded, making them great for sneaking into enemy territory.
Vertical Movement: Climbing inkable walls can provide quicker access to high ground or sneaky routes. Keep your eyes peeled for climbable surfaces.
Grates and Inkrails: Don’t overlook these! They offer fast and often safer travel than running across open ground.

In-Game Codes#

Splatoon sometimes features limited-time in-game codes for special events. These codes are usually announced on social media or during Splatfests. While not exactly cheats, they can gift you rare items or bonus currency. Make sure to follow Splatoon on social media to stay in the loop.

Test Range Advantage#

The Test Range in Splatoon is more than just a place to try out weapons. Use it to practice weapon combos and learn how different guns handle. Specifically:

Sub Weapons: Practice how and when to throw bombs or deploy mines.
Special Weapons: Get a feel for the timing and area of effect for specials. It can turn the tides in real battles.
Aim Training: Spend some time honing your aiming skills. Being able to target swiftly and accurately is a game-changer.

Stay Fresh with Updates#

Finally, don’t forget about game updates. Nintendo frequently patches Splatoon to add new maps, gear, and weapons. Keeping your game updated ensures you’re not missing out on any new content or balance changes. Sometimes, new updates also tweak existing maps, so always refresh your knowledge to find newly introduced shortcuts.

Using these tips, cheats, and shortcuts wisely can massively improve your gameplay in Splatoon. So, dive into Turf Wars and Ranked Battles with these tricks up your sleeve, and ink your way to victory!

Exploring Hidden Areas#

When you dive into the vibrant world of Splatoon, you’ll quickly realize it’s packed with hidden areas and secrets waiting to be discovered. These spots aren’t just cool to find—they often give you an edge with extra gear, points, or strategic advantages. Here’s your guide to becoming a hidden area expert in Splatoon.

Stay Sharp and Observe#

First things first, always keep an eye out for unusual paths or slightly off-looking walls. Splatoon maps are designed with secrets tucked away just out of plain sight. Look for:

Cracked Walls and Floors: Some surfaces might look different or cracked. These can usually be broken or painted to reveal hidden spots.
Oddly Placed Objects: If you see crates, boxes, or even innocuous-looking barrels in strange spots, there’s a good chance they’re hiding something. Blast them with ink to see what’s revealed.
Ledges and Platforms: Peek behind ledges or platforms you can barely reach. These often hide prized collectibles or vantage points that give you a tactical advantage.

Use Your Weapons Wisely#

Certain weapons and sub-weapons are perfect for uncovering hidden areas. Rollers and brushes can cover a lot of ground quickly, revealing secrets beneath the surface. Try using bombs to reach spots that are tough to hit with standard shots.

Bombs: Great for cracking open hidden spaces. Bounce them off walls where possible to uncover hidden rooms or breakable walls.
Rollers and Brushes: Sweep areas thoroughly. You never know what might pop up when you cover more ground.

Inking and Swimming#

Specialty maps are full of nooks and crannies that can be easily missed. Here’s the trick: ink as much as you can and swim through it. Many hidden areas will only appear when you’re submerged in ink.

Swim Through Thin Passages: Some hidden locations are accessed through narrow passages that can only be navigated by swimming through ink. Keep an eye on the map and look for these tight spots.
Use Your Submersion: Dive underwater in your squid form to slip into hidden channels or beneath barriers. Staying below the surface can sometimes reveal pathways that are otherwise invisible.

Climbing and Jumping#

Certain hidden areas can only be reached by scaling walls or making well-timed jumps. Keep an eye out for:

Ink Rails: Ride these to reach high platforms or distant parts of the map.
Wall-Crawling: Shoot ink up walls and swim up them to access elevated areas that are otherwise unreachable.
Leap of Faith: Sometimes, making that daring jump to a seemingly unreachable platform pays off with hidden goodies.

Multiplayer Maps Tactics#

Hidden areas aren’t just for solo exploration—they’re key in multiplayer matches too. Use these tips to enhance your strategic play:

Ambush Points: Hide in ink near hidden areas to catch opponents off guard. These spots are perfect for setting traps or staging surprise attacks.
Control Points: Access hidden vantage points that give you a better view of the battlefield. Use these to rain ink on unsuspecting foes.

Final Thoughts#

Exploring hidden areas in Splatoon adds another layer of excitement and strategy to the game. Each map is packed with surprises, so make the time to explore and experiment. Get out there, lay down some ink, and uncover every secret the game has to offer. Happy hunting, Squid-kids!

Completing 100% of the Game#

So, you’ve decided to go all-in on Splatoon and complete 100% of the game. Awesome! There’s a lot to do, so let’s dive right in and make sure you don’t miss out on anything.

Heroes in Hero Mode#

Hero Mode is the game’s single-player campaign. It’s packed with tons of levels, each brimming with enemies, obstacles, and secrets. To truly complete Hero Mode, you need to:

Finish every level – Including all bosses.
Find all the Sunken Scrolls – Every stage has one secret Sunken Scroll that unveils the game’s backstory.
Upgrade all gear – Use Power Eggs to max out your Hero Shot, Splat Bombs, and other gear. Fully upgraded gear boosts your firepower significantly.

Multiplayer Mastery#

Splatoon really shines in its multiplayer modes. Here’s how you can be a completionist online:

Level Up – Reach level 50 in Turf War battles to max out your character’s level.
Rank Up in Ranked Mode – Climb through the ranks from C- to S+ by winning battles in Splat Zones, Tower Control, and Rainmaker.
Collect Gear – Get all the clothing pieces from headgear to shoes. Certain gear is only available from the shops or through SplatNet, so check regularly.
Max Out Abilities – Customize your outfits with your favorite abilities. Some gear has slots you can fill by leveling up in Turf War or using Super Sea Snails.
Complete Challenges – Participate in Splatfests and special events to win exclusive items.

Weapons Arsenal#

No Inker’s arsenal is complete without every weapon:

Buy all weapons – Visit Sheldon at Ammo Knights to purchase every weapon as it becomes available in the shop.
Master them – Each weapon has unique strengths and weaknesses. Try to win Turf War battles with every weapon to understand their playstyles.
Get Sheldon’s Recommendations – Complete specific tasks to get Sheldon’s rare weapon blueprints.

Amiibo Unlocks#

Amiibos unlock awesome bonuses:

Special Challenges – Each Splatoon amiibo (Inkling Boy, Inkling Girl, and Inkling Squid) unlocks exclusive challenges in Hero Mode.
Exclusive Gear – Completing these challenges gets you exclusive gear sets and mini-games you can’t get anywhere else.

Collect All Badges#

In Splatoon 3, badges serve as proud markers of your achievements:

Earn Medals – Play modes like Turf War, Anarchy Battles, and Salmon Run to earn medals, which eventually turn into badges.
Complete Hero Mode – Some badges are exclusive to completing Hero Mode with excellence.
SplatNet Achievements – Track your accomplishments via SplatNet and earn badges for milestones like winning 100 Ranked Battles.

In-Game Events and Seasons#

Splatoon often hosts time-limited events:

Splatfests – Participate in every Splatfest and make sure to pick up your rewards.
Seasonal Content – Keep an eye on game updates as new seasons typically bring new challenges and rewards.

Salmon Run#

Salmon Run is a co-op multiplayer mode that offers its own set of challenges:

Win Rounds – Play enough rounds to unlock powerful rewards such as exclusive gear and Grizzco Bonuses.
Earn High Scores – Rank up within Salmon Run’s alternating schedules to earn better bonuses.

Final Tips#

Check Everything – Regularly visit shops, load up Amiibo figures, and check SplatNet for new items.
Team Up – Playing with friends can help immensely, especially in ranked and co-op modes.
Stay Updated – Keep an eye on game news for new challenges, gear, and events.

Completing Splatoon 100% takes time, but with focus and some squid-tacular skills, you’ll be the freshest Inkling around! Happy Inking!