GameTimeline

Release & story order

Splatoon games in order

This splatoon games in order page tracks Nintendo’s ink-based shooter mainline with US release dates—from the 2015 Wii U debut through Splatoon 2 and Splatoon 3 on Switch. Release is the practical buy/play history: three numbered sequels, not a spoiler-heavy RPG saga. Story is soft continuity of Turf War culture, Splatfest vibes, and hub towns (Inkopolis → Splatsville) with setting notes rather than a locked plot chain. Start with Splatoon 3 in 2026 unless you want series history; Octo Expansion and Side Order sit in FAQ as optional campaign DLC. Nintendo neighbors: Mario games, Zelda timeline, and Animal Crossing.

Updated September 2026

Pick your path:

Modern start (3 only) Full mainline Full release list Story order

Where to start

Pick Modern start for Splatoon 3 only—the 2026 default—or Full mainline for every US numbered title from Wii U through Switch 3. Completionist DLC (Octo Expansion, Side Order) is FAQ guidance, not a separate essentials path, so check those answers when you want every campaign mode.

  • Splatoon 3 does not require finishing Splatoon 1 or 2 first
  • Octo Expansion needs Splatoon 2; Side Order needs Splatoon 3
  • Wii U online for Splatoon 1 is historical—treat 1 as offline/local nostalgia

Release order

US mainline ship order: Splatoon on Wii U (May 29, 2015) → Splatoon 2 on Switch (July 21, 2017) → Splatoon 3 on Switch (September 9, 2022). Each numbered sequel refreshes weapons, stages, and online seasons. Optional story DLC—Octo Expansion for 2 and Side Order for 3—stays in FAQ unless you are a completionist collecting every campaign mode.

  • 2026 default → Splatoon 3 only (current Switch online hub)
  • Full mainline → Splatoon → Splatoon 2 → Splatoon 3
  • Campaign curious → add Octo Expansion (2) and Side Order (3) after the base games
  • Skip freely → Wii U Splatoon is optional history if you lack the hardware
Story order tips

Soft continuity of Turf War / Splatfest culture across numbered sequels—not a single cinematic plot you must finish in order. Story tab mirrors Release with hub-setting notes: Inkopolis Plaza (1) → Inkopolis Square (2) → Splatsville and the Splatlands (3). Play for vibes and multiplayer eras; skip older hardware freely if you only want the current online meta.

  • Continuity is soft Turf War culture—not a spoiler-gated RPG arc
  • Hub shift: Inkopolis eras → Splatsville / Splatlands in Splatoon 3
  • Octo Expansion and Side Order are optional campaigns—see FAQ
  • On Story order, nothing critical is spoiler-gated—browse freely

Timeline

0/3 played

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Splatoon

    Splatoon

    Wii UShooterMainline

    Splatoon (May 29, 2015 US) launches Nintendo’s colorful ink shooter on Wii U—Turf War, kid-squid transformation, and Splatfest culture that defined the franchise. Still the series root for collectors who can reach Wii U hardware.

    Overview
    Family-friendly competitive shooting with ink coverage as the win condition, motion/stick aiming on Wii U GamePad, and a bright fashion-forward hub that made Nintendo’s online shooter feel approachable instead of military-gritty.
    In-game setting
    Opens the Inkopolis Plaza era. Soft continuity into later sequels: same Turf War fantasy and squid-kid identity, but Splatoon 2 and 3 are fresh multiplayer generations rather than a locked plot sequel you must finish first.
    Should you play it?
    Optional series history if you lack Wii U or only want current Switch online. Play it for roots and single-player/local vibes; skip without losing Splatoon 3 multiplayer literacy.
    Release date
    US May 29, 2015 on Nintendo Wii U. Online services are historical; local/campaign play and nostalgia are the practical reasons to boot it in 2026.
  2. Splatoon 2

    Splatoon 2

    Nintendo SwitchShooterMainline

    Splatoon 2 (July 21, 2017 US) brings Turf War to Switch with Inkopolis Square, new weapons and stages, and a huge portable audience. Octo Expansion is the acclaimed optional story DLC many fans still chase (FAQ).

    Overview
    Portable-and-docked Switch multiplayer made Splatfests and ranked modes a daily habit; Salmon Run co-op and a deeper weapon kit expanded the loop beyond the Wii U original’s toolkit.
    In-game setting
    Second mainline hub—Inkopolis Square era. Soft continuity with the first game’s culture; Octo Expansion adds a standalone campaign path that is excellent but not required before buying Splatoon 3.
    Should you play it?
    Worth it for Octo Expansion, local play, or mid-series nostalgia. Safe skip for 2026 online-first players who only want Splatoon 3—no story homework blocks the sequel.
    Release date
    US July 21, 2017 on Nintendo Switch (including OLED/Lite). Keep the game updated if you still play; online seasons are legacy relative to Splatoon 3.
  3. Splatoon 3

    Splatoon 3

    Nintendo SwitchShooterMainline

    Splatoon 3 (September 9, 2022 US) relocates the fantasy to Splatsville and the Splatlands—new stages, weapons, and seasons on Switch. Side Order is optional roguelike campaign DLC for completionists (FAQ).

    Overview
    Fresh Splatlands aesthetic, expanded specials and kits, and a modern Switch online season structure made Splatoon 3 the default Turf War destination after Splatoon 2’s long run.
    In-game setting
    Current mainline endpoint on this page. Soft continuity of ink culture and returning fantasy tropes; you do not need to finish 1 or 2 first. Side Order sits on top as optional campaign content.
    Should you play it?
    Start here in 2026 unless you specifically want Wii U roots or Octo Expansion. Add Side Order only if you want the paid roguelike campaign after you own the base game.
    Release date
    US September 9, 2022 on Nintendo Switch (including OLED/Lite). Prefer this version for active online matchmaking and seasonal content in 2026.

FAQ

Where to start in 2026, Octo Expansion, Side Order, story continuity, Wii U access, and Splatfest culture.

Release order

Default: Splatoon 3 on Switch—no older game required for modern online Turf War and seasons.

Full history: Wii U Splatoon → Splatoon 2 → Splatoon 3.

Nintendo neighbors: Mario, Zelda, Animal Crossing.

On this page they match: Splatoon → Splatoon 2 → Splatoon 3. Story tab only adds hub-setting notes (Inkopolis Plaza → Inkopolis Square → Splatsville / Splatlands). Continuity is soft Turf War and Splatfest culture—not a cinematic plot you must finish in order.

Setting & continuity

DLC & campaigns

Octo Expansion is paid story DLC for Splatoon 2—a highly praised single-player campaign with its own challenges and lore. It is not a separate mainline sequel on this timeline. Buy it only if you own Splatoon 2 and want that campaign; it is not required before Splatoon 3.

Side Order is paid DLC for Splatoon 3 focused on a roguelike / tower campaign experience. Treat it as optional completionist content after you own the base game—not a fourth numbered mainline title and not a gate for online Turf War.

Optional & related

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.