What is the release date of Splatoon in Japan?

The release date of Splatoon in Japan was May 28, 2015.

Nintendo released Splatoon for the Wii U as a new intellectual property built around colorful ink-based territory battles. Japan received the game first, followed by North America and Europe on May 29, 2015, and Australia on May 30. This staggered launch explains why nearby dates sometimes appear in quizzes and release lists.

Before launch, Nintendo tested Splatoon’s online infrastructure through limited Global Testfire demonstrations in May 2015. The finished game combined four-versus-four Turf War matches with a single-player campaign called Octo Valley, introducing the Inkling characters and the series’ signature ability to transform between humanoid and squid forms.

The May 28 date refers specifically to the original Wii U game’s Japanese release, not Splatoon 2 or Splatoon 3. Splatoon 2 arrived on Nintendo Switch in July 2017, while Splatoon 3 followed in September 2022.