5 things you need to know about Nintendo’s new Wii U game, Splatoon

Splatoon, Nintendo’s new family-friendly shooter that covers levels and players with paint, releases on May 29, 2015. It’s almost here! After a free game demo day where Wii U owners were able to play on Saturday May 9, there’s quite a bit of buzz about the game. While you might see people running around spraying paint and trying to cover/claim as much turf as they can, there might be a few things you don’t know about the game. So here are five things you need to know about Splatoon!

1. Features free post-launch content

While Splatoon will have five stages available at launch, that’s not all players will get. New stages will be introduced every few weeks — stages that will require even more skill to master. But it’s not just maps that will be coming to the game after launch. There’s also plans for new weapons, and even a Ranked Battle mode named Tower Control. August will see 4-player team matchmaking and a third Ranked Battle mode named Rainmaker, as well. So needless to say, you’re going to be getting a lot more content for free.

2. Inkopolis is the game’s hub

Inkopolis is the game’s main hub where you’ll be able to choose what type of match you want to play, buy new gear, and meet other Inklings; Inklings are the customizable characters that you and other players will be playing as, by the way. Inkopolis looks like a plaza, including alleys, shops to buy new weapons, headgear, clothing and shoes, the online game lobby and more. Take a look around, learn what’s where, because more will unlock for you at level four.

3. You can do local 1-on-1 battles

In Inkopolis, you’ll find the Battle Dojo. This isn’t the one-player campaign-esque levels; that’s Octo Valley. The Battle Dojo is where you and another friend can play 1-on-1 battles against each other. One of the players will play on the Wii U Gamepad screen, and the other will play on the TV using a Pro controller or a Wiimote and nunchuk. It’s not the 4-player splitscreen option that you might have been hoping for, but it’s fun for quick matches for you and another friend.

4. You can change the controls and it has amiibo support

Splatoon will have amiibo support with new Splaoon series amiibo figures giving access to new challenges. If you complete them, you get exclusive in-game gear. The three amiibo are Inkling Girl, Inkling Boy and Inkling Squid.

Movement and changing into a Squidling are two things you’ll have to master when playing Splatoon, but a third thing is aiming. If you’re also not digging the motion-based aiming of the Gamepad, you can switch it to traditional controls — using the right stick to aim — and adjust aim sensitivity. I’ve experimented with both ways, and I can see the benefits to sticking with motion aiming and getting used to that. Still, it’s nice to have both options available to you.

5. There’s a mini-game to play while you wait to join a battle

While you wait to join an online game, look down at your Gamepad screen and you’ll notice a little game you can play while you wait called Squid Jump. It’s kind of like Doodle Jump but instead of bouncing and going upward automatically, you charge up the Squid’s jump. It has retro-inspired graphics and it’s a nice time killer while you wait. But you’re also able to access Squid Jump from an arcade cabinet in Inkopolis. If you wanted more of these games, you’re in luck! After unlocking 20 amiibo challenges, players will get additional Squiddy games, like Squid Racer, Squid Beats and Squid Ball.

So there you have it! You’re ready to play Splatoon! Splatoon launches on the Nintendo Wii U on May 29, 2015.