What is the new multiplayer mode introduced in Splatoon 3?

The new multiplayer mode introduced in Splatoon 3 was Tricolor Turf War.

Tricolor Turf War is a special Splatfest battle that expands the series’ usual two-team structure into a three-team contest. One team of four players defends the center of the stage, while two teams of two attack from opposite sides. All three teams still compete to cover the most territory with their ink.

The mode adds a strategic objective called the Ultra Signal. If an attacking team captures it, a Sprinkler of Doom appears and continuously inks part of the map for that team. Attackers must balance fighting one another with pressuring the defenders, making the match more complicated than a standard Turf War.

Tricolor Turf War is not the same as Turf War, Ranked or Anarchy Battles, or Salmon Run. It is tied specifically to Splatfests and was designed around Splatoon 3’s three-choice format. Its rules and availability were adjusted after launch, eventually allowing players to select the mode during the relevant halftime period.