Splatoon 3 update takes aim at reducing lag

Splatoon 3
(Image credit: Nintendo)

A new update is launching for Splatoon 3, which should nerf those pesky performance issues.

Nintendo has announced Version 1.2.0 of Splatoon 3 will be available to download today, October 25. The list of changes and fixes it offers is pretty substantial, with the most noteworthy being improvements to the speed at which data is sent between players. According to the company, data will now be transferred around .05 seconds faster than before.

In addition, "Users can expect to see a reduction in the time it takes from a player being dealt damage to them being defeated, the time it takes from touching a Golden Egg to actually picking it up, and other similar actions," says Nintendo.

In terms of changes to gameplay, the time it takes for ink to start recovering after using a Fizzy Bomb has ever so slightly increased, as have the points requirement for some weapon specials, including the Flingza Roller and the Sloshing Machine. The patch also adds support for the game's three new amiibo figures, Inkling (yellow), Octoling (blue), and Smallfry, which will be hitting store shelves next month.

Elsewhere, there are some minor tweaks to Splatfest, and a ton of additional adjustments and bug fixes that should make those colourful ink battles more enjoyable for all. You can see all the changes coming to Splatoon 3 in the patch notes on Nintendo's website.

Splatoon 3 has been doing extremely well since its launch on September 9, especially in Japan. The game managed to surpass 3.45 million sales in the country in its first three days. We were rather taken by Splatoon 3 too. In our review, we said, "Nintendo's threequel has flashes of brilliance everywhere".

See what else Nintendo's console has to offer in our guide to the best Switch games.

Anne-Marie Ostler
Freelance Writer

Originally from Ireland, I moved to the UK in 2014 to pursue a Games Journalism and PR degree at Staffordshire University. Following that, I've freelanced for GamesMaster, Games TM, Official PlayStation Magazine and, more recently, Play and GamesRadar+. My love of gaming sprang from successfully defeating that first Goomba in Super Mario Bros on the NES. These days, PlayStation is my jam. When not gaming or writing, I can usually be found scouring the internet for anything Tomb Raider related to add to my out of control memorabilia collection.

Read more
Stardew Valley
With another "thank you," Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone brings an update arc to a close with "the Switch patch to fix the last Switch patch"
Monster Hunter Wilds
New Monster Hunter Wilds patch fixes a bunch of progress-blocking bugs, but there's still a network error bug playing havoc with SOS signals
Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter Wilds' next update arrives next week, fixing another progression blocker, crashes, and weird monster behavior
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe assassinating target with Tanto skill
Assassin's Creed Shadows' first title update is a hotfix with three lines of patch notes and a download size up to 9GB
Helldivers 2 Escalation of Freedom
Helldivers 2's funniest feature was removed last year, but it's finally been reinstated – although it won't save you from certain doom anymore
A screenshot of Human Torch in his Marvel Rivals reveal trailer
New Marvel Rivals balance patch only tweaks "a handful of heroes" to maintain the "rich diversity" of the shooter's current strategies, but it also includes a much-needed buff for Human Torch
Latest in Splatoon
Splatoon
New Nintendo patent implies veteran Splatoon developers are behind that mystery Minecraft-like game playtested last year
Splatoon 3
As Splatoon 3 says goodbye to regular updates, fans think they've already uncovered the future of the Nintendo series
Splatoon 3
Nintendo revokes Splatoon 3 World Championship win following racist remarks from some winners: "The team will not receive trophies"
Splatoon 3
Recovering from the first game's shutdown, Splatoon 3 fans wonder how the latest and "biggest" Splatfest will shape an inevitable Splatoon 4
An Inkling looking shocked as she stares at the Smash Bros. logo in the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate reveal trailer.
Defying Nintendo, just two players remain on the 3DS and Wii U's dead servers after the last Splatoon player's 68-day streak ends
An Inkling looking shocked as she stares at the Smash Bros. logo in the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate reveal trailer.
The last Splatoon player still standing after Nintendo's Wii U shutdown is now trapped in map purgatory for the next ten years
Latest in News
Nick Offerman as Bill and Murray Bartlett as Frank in The Last of Us episode 3
The Last of Us season 2 showrunners tease a "gorgeous" episode akin to season 1’s Emmy-nominated Bill and Frank story: "Just you wait"
The Witcher 4 screenshot with Ciri using sword and sorcery to fight an ancient monster
CD Projekt boss says "cutting-edge single-player games" – you know, like The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2 – will "continue to enjoy great popularity" despite industry shifts
Cyberpunk 2077
Despite releasing exactly zero new games, CD Projekt bagged $120 million in profit for 2024 – the Witcher and Cyberpunk studio's third-best result ever
Muse
Daredevil: Born Again midseason trailer teases Matt Murdock’s violent fight with Muse, including a gory scene straight from the comics
Batman looking over the city during Batman: Arkham City, one of the best PS3 games.
The PS2 Batman Begins game was considered such a "disaster" that Christopher Nolan turned down a Dark Knight-inspired game
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe assassinating target with Tanto skill
Assassin's Creed Shadows' first title update is a hotfix with three lines of patch notes and a download size up to 9GB