Splatoon 3’s ‘Grand Festival’ Was The Perfect Goodbye

Splatoon 3: The Grand Festival Farewell

Image: Nintendo Life

Soapbox features allow our writers to share their opinions. Today, Jim reflects on Splatoon 3’s Grand Festival…


Discovering the Splatoon series later on, the third installment managed to captivate me unlike its predecessors. With its vibrant new color schemes, informative Directs, and enticing characters, Splatoon 3 quickly became a favorite on my Switch over the past couple of years.

As the era of “regular updates” for the game came to a close, one might expect a tinge of sadness, but the Grand Festival served as a delightful farewell from Nintendo.

The Grand Festival stood out as more than just a 72-hour Splatfest; it transformed into an extravagant celebration of all things Splatoon, completely taking over the game from start to finish. The attention to detail was remarkable, with even the game’s main ‘Splatoon 3’ icon replaced by an advertisement for the event.

Nintendo introduced exciting changes like Tricolor Battles, frequent 10x Battles, and a new Grand Splatlands Bowl stage. However, the heart of the event was the central hub, a lively area brimming with joy and festivity, making it impossible not to smile while exploring.

The festival hub, a multi-stage venue with live music, merchandise stands, and a lively crowd, showcased Nintendo’s technical prowess with detailed crowds, lighting effects, and dynamic gameplay elements. It highlighted the Switch’s capabilities in an impressive manner.

The event radiated joy, resonating with players worldwide who poured in to share the fun, enjoy the music, and uncover the festival’s secrets.

Nintendo even allowed players a gateway to relive the festivities through amiibo integration, offering the chance to explore the event’s various stages and performances. A thoughtful touch for fans who partook in the Grand Festival.

As one of Nintendo’s best send-offs, the Grand Festival encapsulated the spirit of Splatoon 3 flawlessly. While regional events and final activities are still to come, bidding farewell to new content in this beloved series feels bittersweet.

Goodbye, Splatoon 3, and thanks for all the squid-filled memories.

Did you partake in the Splatoon 3 Grand Festival? Share your favorite moments in the poll below and join the discussion in the comments!