Splatoon 3 already looked phenomenal on the original Switch, in a way that seemed to defy the console’s hardware limitations. 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. It stands to reason that Nintendo chose not to drastically change how Splatoon 3 battles run on the Switch 2 so as not to put players on the original Switch at an unfair disadvantage.