Nintendo has announced that the first wave of Splatoon 3 DLC, titled “Return to Inkopolis,” will be available for download on February 28, 2023. A trip back to the city that started it all, this first pack doesn’t seem to contain a new campaign mode but rather a different lobby for players to roam around in. It will also see the return of the eponymous Squid Sisters Callie and Marie.
Speaking of Inkopolis, the first wave of the Splatoon 3: Expansion Pass will be available on 2/28. That’s the Inkopolis part, so you can join us in researching this vibrant city—from its quirky shopkeeps to its creepy alleyways. Hope to see you soon! pic.twitter.com/B5El0wPotP
— Splatoon North America (@SplatoonNA) February 15, 2023
Contained in the Splatoon 3 expansion pass, there isn’t much else known about what will come in this first helping of DLC. While an early incentive from Nintendo will grant players extra in-game currency and food/drink tickets, that hardly counts as new content. It’s easy to assume additional weapons and multiplayer maps will be a part of the Inkopolis addition.
The biggest change with the Inkopolis hub is that Callie and Marie will take over for any Splatfests that Nintendo runs. Since you can freely jump between Inkopolis and Splatoon 3’s Splatsville, it’s likely that the original duo will see a third companion join them for the new third-team option.
Whatever happens, Splatoon 3 is still set to receive a much larger expansion titled “Side Order” sometime later in the year. That will be more reminiscent of Splatoon 2’s Octo Expansion DLC. It looks to focus on Hook the Hook members Pearl and Marina following the conclusion of Splatoon 2’s final Splatfest.
