Splatoon's Major Update Gets Release Date, Includes New Modes, Weapons, Gear

Nintendo has detailed a "major update" for its Wii U team-based shooter Splatoon, which is set to be released on August 6.

The update will feature "two new matchmaking modes, new weapon types, an increase to the game's level-cap, and more than 40 pieces of new gear," including a leather jacket and a sushi-chef.

In Squad Battle players "can participate in Ranked Battle rule sets with friends, rather than being teamed up with other players through a random select."

"After a player creates a squad, friends can be recruited to form a team of two to four inklings. Friends will always play together on the same team and battle against other squads at random."

Private Battle, meanwhile, allows players to battle in invite-only customisable matches with two to eight friends. Teams don't have to be even, which means the odds can be stacked against certain players, provided the host allows it.

The update will increase the level cap from 20 to 50, and introduce the S and S+ awards in Ranked Battles.

Nintendo has also confirmed the new weapons coming to the game: "The bucket-like Slosher weapons hurl ink straight ahead at an impressive range. By adjusting the angle, these new weapons can be used to splat opponents who are up high or even on the other side of a wall.

"With the Gatling-style Splatling, players can charge all-powerful ink. A maximum charge unleashes the full potential of this particular weapon type."

Splatoon launched on Wii U in May, and since has done well for Nintendo. It has sold over one million copies since its release, and is being supported with an ongoing drip-feed of new content.

GameSpot's Splatoon review said the game is "the antithesis to the modern shooter, but it primarily deserves recognition for what it is, not what it isn't."

"It's a wonderful game with charm and inventive ideas that work and pave the way for new experiences in an otherwise stale category of games."

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