Splatoon 3 is getting a new update this week: Version 11.3.0 introduces a fresh weapon into the game and simultaneously shakes up the balancing for Splatoon 3 on Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo has released the patch notes in advance, and the update itself is expected to go live within the current week.
When Does the Splatoon 3 Update Ver. 11.3.0 Release?
Nintendo hasn't officially announced a firm date yet, but it's clear: The update will land this week simultaneously on both platform versions, meaning both the classic Switch and the Switch 2 version of Splatoon 3. Players currently engaged in Ranked Mode or League Battles should therefore prepare for an imminent update window and finish their matches beforehand.
How Do You Unlock the New Weapon?
Particularly exciting about the new content: The fresh weapon, a replica of a plastic bottle squirt gun, isn't a usual update addition, but is tied to save data from the party game spin-off Splatoon Raiders. According to the announcement, players who have already played Splatoon Raiders and created a save file will automatically unlock the weapon as soon as Ver. 11.3.0 is installed. So, if you haven't touched Splatoon Raiders yet, you should catch up before the update if you want to grab the weapon right away.
What Else Changes with the Update?
In addition to the new weapon, Nintendo announced balance adjustments that, according to the announcement, affect both the Switch and Switch 2 versions. Nintendo has only published specific individual values for these adjustments in the full, English-language patch notes so far; we will update this article as soon as more details become available.
From our perspective, the trick with the Splatoon Raiders save data is a clever marketing move: instead of simply unlocking the weapon, the smaller party game gets additional attention, while the Splatoon 3 community simultaneously receives an incentive to check out the spin-off game.
Source: Nintendo Life
Do you already have a save file in Splatoon Raiders? Tell us in the comments what weapon you'd like to see next in an update!
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