In the first Splatoon, Spyke is the back-alley dealer who sells gear ordered from other players.
Players can inspect the equipment worn by characters encountered in Inkopolis Plaza and place an order for selected headgear, clothing, or shoes. The requested item becomes available from Spyke, who sells it at a higher price than the ordinary shops. This system lets players acquire gear with particular designs or ability combinations that may not be on sale elsewhere.
Spyke is easy to confuse with the game’s regular shopkeepers. Sheldon runs Ammo Knights, the weapons shop, while Murch is associated with gear abilities and later games’ equipment services. Judd, meanwhile, is the cat who judges Turf War matches and awards the winning team’s result; he is not a gear merchant.
Spyke’s appearance and role also reflect Splatoon’s slightly scruffy street-market style. He is a young sea urchin found in a back alley rather than one of the polished storefronts. His service is useful, but the price premium means ordering gear costs more than buying standard items directly from the shops.