Everyone who'll purchase a Nintendo Switch before March ends can participate in a forthcoming global testfire for Splatoon 2, an ink-based shooter sequel to 2015's Splatoon for Wii U.
Splatoon 2 Global Testfire
Announced by Nintendo on Sunday, the testfire involves a Splatoon 2 demo players can take advantage of ahead of the game's launch this summer. Additionally, the testfire is also being tipped as Nintendo's way of testing its paid online multiplayer services, launching this fall.
Those who'll jump on the demo, however, won't get to try it that long, and access will be available sporadically, with the previews parsed into six hour-long sessions from March 24 to 26.
Splatoon 2 Global Testfire Schedule
Here's when you'll be able to play the Splatoon 2 demo on your Switch (all ET):
• March 24: 3:00 p.m. to 3:59 p.m. for the first session, and another one from 11:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
• March 25: 7:00 a.m. to 7:59 a.m. for the first session, 3:00 p.m. to 3:59 p.m. for the second, and 11:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. for the third.
• March 26: 7:00 a.m. to 7:59 a.m. for the last session.
Nintendo confirmed that the preview will hold much of the same fare as the Splatoon 2 previews given to players at Switch events around the country. It will allow players to test four weapons, among them remixed iterations of the Splat Roller, Splat Charger, and the Splat Dualies, a new weapon that lets players spray ink from both hands.
Splatoon 2 Spectator Mode
Nintendo has also confirmed that Spectator Mode is coming to Splatoon 2, a feature that was noticeably absent from the first game. Called "Private Battle Spectator View," the mode will allow a ninth and tenth player participate in an eight-player match and watch the action unfold. As per Siliconera's report, Spectators will be given an option to view the whole arena via bird's-eye view, or third-person view for a more immersive experience.
Splatoon 2 LAN Mode
Splatoon has also been confirmed to support up to 10 docked Switch units on a wired LAN. Nintendo said that the Switch's local wireless gaming capability is "perfect for your regular gaming get-togethers," but LAN fits gaming events at a larger scale.
"LAN Play is where it's at when you want to organize a serious tournament event with your fellow players," according to Nintendo, as reported by Polygon.
Splatoon is one of the most successful games on a system that wasn't really given much fanfare. The Wii U, having spent four years struggling to appeal to a broad gaming audience, has now been officially discontinued. Nintendo has even confirmed that Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will be the last first-party to hit the said system. Fortunately, even within that ill-fated span, Splatoon was still able to garner a slight, but significant fanfare.
Splatoon's competitive scene, however, has largely been underground. Because there hasn't been a seamless way to view matches, it hasn't taken off on Twitch, a popular streaming site mostly for gamers.
Hopefully, by the time Nintendo releases the Switch, coupled with the forthcoming global testfires, more fans can tap into the hype and spell added fanfare for the game.
The Nintendo Switch hits shelves March 3.
