How Splatoon Found Success in the Wii U's Failure

[@capgorski]

Splatoon 1 had such a wild vibe. The series is already becoming a little too rigid and bound by its own rules. S2 and 3 are great games, but are missing a little magic. Hopefully Splatoon 4 can recapture that vibrancy.

[@Grandstarbit]

100% agree, although personally I feel its more 3 than 2 that's gotten a little stiff. 2 felt like the perfect continuation of the first game, 3... just feels like its missing something? It's hard to place exactly what. Still both great games though, like you said! Thanks for the comment!

[@S3bast1n_S0l4c3]

​@@Grandstarbitsplatoon 1 is shutting down in april if you didn't know rip splatoon 1:(

[@S3bast1n_S0l4c3]

​@@Grandstarbitbig fan btw

[@widerekxxanimations6842]

​@@Grandstarbit Well it's missing good maps, that's one of the reasons why

[@keeganmcfarland7507]

​@@S3bast1n_S0l4c3I hate how Nintendo treats older Nintendo consoles like garbage!

[@djsercy5879]

7:07 slight correction: Kid Icarus Uprising was developed by Project Sora, NOT Sora, Ltd. Project Sora was a company Sakurai started specifically and exclusively to work on Kid Icarus Uprising and he disbanded the team and closed the company down once it was completed. Sora, Ltd. only has one employee and it's Sakurai himself.

[@Grandstarbit]

Wow I had no idea, thanks for pointing that out!

[@sundaesweetss]

had to try really hard not to cry while watching this video i love this franchise so much. im so autistic abt splatoon and i wish i had the ability to play splatoon 1 when it was still being updated, it's a huge shame that nintendo puts out these amazing games and drops them after a few years which makes it infinitely harder to get into the earlier titles depending on where you started from. my first game was splatoon 2 and i've been literally obsessed with the game since, and looking back on its development and progress as a series while splatoon 3 is still ready and raring makes my heart fill with several emotions, but out of those emotions, the main one is love i think. great video, thank you for documenting a precursor to splatoon 2 and 3's success that most fans of the series never got to experience

[@danielle_6]

My personal favorite part of Splatoon is the Singleplayer Hero Mode. I tried doing a couple Any% runs on Wii U myself and it's full of fun and interesting glitches, skips and brand new ways to traverse through the levels that you would never think of casually. I recommend you check out a Splatoon Speedrun yourself if you want to see more.

[@Grandstarbit]

That sounds pretty cool, I'll check them out! Thanks for the comment!

[@DekuGamer]

This recap of the development was awesome! Really great work addressing what felt like the entire story of how this IP came about. While I didn't get the chance to play Splatoon 1, everyone that did speaks very highly of it, and that says a lot considering how lacking the Wii U was in general.

[@Grandstarbit]

Thank you!

[@mrhobs]

I just jumped into Splatoon a couple weeks ago. Super fun. Glad I didn’t skip Splatoon 1, as I really feel sort of connected to the roots of the series now… like I’m being absolved for missing out… just feels right… like an old regret erased. 😌

[@dedicategrinder88]

I remember this game, truly one of my favourite Nintendo games of all times (favourite on the Wii U) Such a legendary game, when I was 7 I got this game from my parents, thank you to them for some how knowing I like s it (maybe they saw I watched videos idk) So many memories, it has a special place in my heart :)

[@norg18]

It was love at first sight, since the announcement I really wanted that game

[@chrisr.5647]

love all the og splatoon footage, cant believe you still had stuff from the first splatfest

[@TomMooreT2S]

I wanted to jump into Splatoon 2 back in its heyday, but I was saving up funds for a revised Switch model due to reports of defects of the original launch model (white box model) at the time. However, by the time the V2 (red box model) Switch was out, Splatoon 2’s Splatfests (arguably the biggest reason to jump into the game) have already ended. Even at the time and to this day, I found it unfair that players never got the chance to jump into the bandwagon when the Switch revisions came out. Then, the reveal trailer for Splatoon 3 came, and I was expressing concerns at the time, so if I wanted to prep up for ink-sensation, I decided to go back to where it all started with Splatoon 1 and a used Wii U console. And I had a blast with it! Even though the Splatfests were no longer around, I still played it because the online play was free. When Splatoon 3 had the World Premiere Splatfest, there I was ready to begin my firsthand experience in a Splatfest… or so I thought… MY INTERNET SUCKS! Splatoon 1 allowed me to jump into the game with little to no issues even with my internet in a poor connection, I was still able to play it. But Splatoon 3… I can’t do sh!£. I can’t find ANYONE to play with or against! So I initially gave up playing the game, but then the Zelda Splatfest occurred (which I still believed it was rigged…) so I gave it another chance… I tried SO MANY different methods to connect properly… ALL FAILURE!!! So I sent my copy back to the store and just let the game rot because I can’t play online with Splatoon 3. I obviously blame Nintendo’s decision of not implementing dedicated servers to Nintendo Switch Online. So now, I’m holding out until Splatoon 4 comes for the next-gen Nintendo console, praying that online play will be more tolerable this time around. So now, I’m trying to indulge myself with what little time I have left with Splatoon 1 before all things Wii U online shut down. Correct me if I’m wrong, but sources claimed that if your Nintendo Network ID is linked to your existing Nintendo account, certain data might get preserved? I don’t know, but no one seemed to have taken that seriously… Splatoon 4 should not disappoint me! Because if it does, then that’s my end of the line with Splatoon!

[@Grandstarbit]

Wow, I'm really sorry to hear all of that. 3's server issues are pretty aggregious, so I completely understand just returning it. Thankfully, 2 never really had those problems! I think it's still worth checking that game out even without Splatfests. Especially for the Octo Expansion DLC, its fantastic! And if all else fails I believe 1 already has backup servers ready thanks to modders, so even when the official servers are gone there's always gonna be a way to hop back in to the OG. Hope 4 isn't as troublesome for you!

[@Jacotomo2222]

Yeah, I'm hoping back and forth from one and three, and it's absolutely baffling how much worse 3's online is compared to 1. Like legitimately, there were moments during the frosty fest I could not play AT ALL due to getting DC'd instantly, so I'd just boot up my wii u and play on that just fine.

[@davicl3s548]

I’m pretty sure this is a you problem, I haven’t had so many connection problems that it’s unplayable, I think you need to get better internet bro…

[@marinenoon]

splatoons 'servers' are peer to peer. have you sought out tech support from nintendo or anyone else? this sounds like it might be an issue with your switch, should try and see if you can get it fixed or replaced

[@Mr._Cheese]

I’d definitely enjoy to see you cover 2 and 3 as well, this whole series basically defined my childhood and it was such a nostalgia trip seeing the life cycle and gameplay all over again. Thanks

[@BriceInkling138]

It's sad that the original Splatoon's online mode would be going away entirely on April 8th, 2024 (to be fair, the same went for other games that still supported Nintendo Network). But I'm happy I am watching a really informative video based on how Splatoon became a very popular gem from a console in the 2010's that failed in quality.

[@madmillion88]

I love your coverage on splatoon! Please cover 2 and 3!

[@Grandstarbit]

Thank you! I'm already planning on it!

[@JordanFringe94]

This was a great video Jax!

[@Grandstarbit]

Couldn't do it without you Jordan!! o7

[@masculineshiver]

Excellent video. This helps me understand the hype around it back then, since I was aware of Splatoon but never played it (3 was my entry to the series). Also, KID ICARUS UPRISING MENTIONED I AM HAPPY

[@scorn-52]

Awesome video!! I got into Splatoon with the third game, I love everything about the series. This is a very well made video!

[@Grandstarbit]

Thank you! Glad you like the series, it deserves all the love!

[@korolikesbeans]

Awesome video! Really insightful and informational, Keep up the outstanding work!! Love seeing smaller creators make amazing quality stuff

[@Grandstarbit]

Thank you!

[@keynanmartinez]

Splatoon 1 was so unique the sequel literally changed everyone's lives.

[@keeganmcfarland7507]

Same

[@ruikasasfixer]

real

[@dedicategrinder88]

3:02 Mario in Splatoon, imagine☠️ 14/5/24

[@wouterdutch4706]

Very interesting look back at splatoon 1, nicely put together in this video :)

[@Inkranger]

Nice video! I am interested to see 2 and 3!

[@Grandstarbit]

Thank you! I've already got some ideas for both so keep an eye out for them!

[@Inkranger]

@@Grandstarbit awesome!

[@gaora8070]

Absolute gem of a video! Started splatoon with 2 as my first switch game and been hooked to the games since, so this video is a nice look into how it was before. Keep up the awesome work!

[@carro179]

Man,.I really liked this video. It's a short and sweet recap of everything that I like from this game. Though I do wish a little more attention was given to the new modes that they added, since they fix some problems many people had with Turf, but I do understand that most people think about Turf when thinking Splatoon

[@half-qilin]

In my opinion, Splatoon was THE reason to own a Wii U.

[@SmashMaxLP]

Great stuff man! I've never been a big Splatoon guy, but you kept me interested throughout the whole video! Keep it up!

[@ruikasasfixer]

I love Splatoon, it was a big part of my childhood and i doubt i’ll ever forget this game I really wish my Splatoon 1 disc was working so I can play it before the servers shut down 😭😭

[@Schmendy]

I love how well-edited and high-quality this is (as well as the rest of your channel lol). really good stuff!

[@Grandstarbit]

Thank you!

[@JosephSergi]

Amazing video good work keep it up my dude

[@imbowen9498]

Nice video! Keep on the splatoon content!💛

[@hunna-verse]

God I love splatoon analysis videos

[@Grandstarbit]

Haha glad you enjoyed it!

[@orangeslash1667]

@@Grandstarbit Fun Fact-Yusuke Amano the director of Splatoon was a coordinator of Starfox 3ds. That explains alot.

[@keeganmcfarland7507]

Awesome video, man!🦑🎨🐙 I had so many good memories with Splatoon back in summer of 2015! My grandfather and I went to Walmart (if I remember correctly) to buy Splatoon, and it was awesome (especially the story mode of Splatoon)! But sadly though, around October 2018, I sold my Wii-U for Xbox One X. Thank you Splatoon, for (slowly) changed my life over the years.

[@spacetoast87]

The success of this game always confused me. Glad it did well though I love Splatoon :)

[@chaoticcranium]

2:56 Rabbits and Mario holding guns??? What a crazy idea, that'd never work!

[@mispinchergamings3470]

Yes plz splatoon reviews video series

[@RandomThingsInc.]

Why do you have like no subscribers bro, like you’re editing is amazing. This video was fantastic. Keep up the great work.❤❤❤

[@Grandstarbit]

Thank you!

[@anvorguesita1451]

this video has a very high quality, I thought I was watching a much bigger youtuber! you really deserve more subs, keep up the good work :D (I already subbed and will watch your other videos rnn)

[@SegaMario]

8:50 Why am I not surprised that a PNGtuber would make that smug remark. **@'ing intensifies**

[@alface935]

8:45 "Its been near really 10 years and Marie is still the best Girl" *NUH UH*

[@MegaManNeo]

I had the WiiU almost since release but really never picked up on the first Splatoon other than for its demo versions up until a few months ago, mainly to give Pretendo a try. It's really a shame and makes me wanna go back in time, playing this game today still feels like a fresh change. Too bad its official servers shut down in a few weeks from now :(

[@Pandabroproductions.]

It would be cool to see you talk about Splatoon 2!

[@Josie_Woah]

Really banger video!

[@Grandstarbit]

Thanks Josie!!

[@victordoesyoutube]

Good video dude hope you get more attention soon

[@Grandstarbit]

Thank you!

[@joshk147]

Splatoon is the reason why other shooters on the switch have motion controls. I heard that OW launched without them but due to player outcry they ended up adding them

[@Crossbones628]

8:48 You're just right

[@6drago9]

I am very sad to realized how successful this game has brought everyone to inspiration. And now that the servers are closing soon. I’m gonna miss all of it forever.

[@sorat99]

I watched this between matches for splatoon 1

[@Elijahlikechicken]

If it wasn’t for my Wii U coming packaged with Splatoon I don’t think I would’ve ever gotten into the game. I was 7 and really wanted a Wii U and was desperate for any kind didn’t matter to me, got it for Christmas packaged with Splatoon it was, and still is with 3 a part of my childhood

[@SlothB4byM]

Awesome video

[@Vulcanfaux]

Let's not forget splat1 helped alot of people see how good gyro is, admittedly I didn't give gyro a chance til splat 2, but now I'm a goon for it. And demand it be inevery game that could utilize it.

[@AlgidSquid]

8:50 Nah I'm coming at you.

[@Alfenium]

They came after him because he was right.

[@bigenuity]

def go into splatoon 2 and 3!!

[@Grandstarbit]

Will do!

[@adriantimber4188]

I liked this vid. I do think that the title doesn’t really reflect what the video is about though. Like you talk about the development for about half of the video and then you just explain what splatoon is and what’s in it. You didn’t really cover how it got so popular on a, financially speaking, failure of a console. You didn’t even mention the marketing campaign which though cringe inducing definitely impacted the popularity of the first splatoon.

[@amirhaayers2736]

It'd be cool if you talked about Splatoon 3 and how far Splatoon has come since Splatoon 1.

[@Grandstarbit]

I definitely will!

[@wmyttmlimvty]

0:57 duuuuuuude ninoni noninoninoni noninoninoni noninona ninonii noninoninonii noninoninoni noninonaa

[@kaasbaasde33e35]

Splatoon 1 had that unique, kooky 1990's Nickelodeon aesthetic that so happened to mesh really well with the main point of the game of spraying colorful ink everywhere. It made it stand out from the rest to me. I take into consideration that it's nostalgia clouding my judgement but the punk vibes of 2 and 3 looked out of place with the brightly colored ink and makes the series look more generic in general. Don't get me wrong though because all things considered Splatoon 2 started making some serious gameplay improvements. To name one such example: Moray Towers was nearly unplayable if you were up against -snipers- Chargers in 1 Good vid 👍

[@mizosis]

As a kid, I hated Splatoon. I remember playing the first game on my friend's Wii U in late 2015 and didn't enjoy it, but that was probably just because I sucked at it. I didn't like it because shooters were my least favorite genre and any competitive game in my little head meant bad. So, I avoided Splatoon for years. Even when I got a Switch in 2018, and heard about the release of Octo Expansion, I didn't get Splatoon 2. It was only until Splatoon 3 came out that my friends started getting it and talking about how good it was. I decided to get it after being begged by said friends to play with them and immediately fell in love. I regret not playing the series sooner, as it has become my favorite Nintendo franchise and Splatoon 3 is my second favorite game of all time... I went back and replayed Splatoon 1 recently and realized how much I was missing out. It's a shame Wii U online support ends in April of this year, but while I have the time, I want to play the first game to see what I could have better enjoyed in its height.

[@rain_cludz]

i had a wii u as a kid i didnt have splatoon but mario kart 8, super mario 3d wold and nitendo land was fun playing with my siblings

[@jellyface401]

I really liked that It made me feel less inadequate and made me feel I was helping even if I didn't killed anyone because I was painting the place but then people on the wii u got really really really good and could kill you at sight and since i don't have a switch I stopped playing.

[@iggen]

I bought a wii u last year just so I could play Splatoon 1. Awesome game!

[@discussingwhattodo5381]

The first game has always been my fav

[@Chloian]

It hurts to watch the 52 gal footage

[@chinchilladas]

This is a good video!!!

[@utfigyii5987]

They should have made Splatoon a one-game-per-console release instead of killing Splatoon 2 early to make room for 3.

[@ItsTheNatShack]

This is epic! Also I have a question, is your profile picture a modified qubo logo?

[@Grandstarbit]

Yaknow, I didn't get it from Qubo, I got it from Mario Odyssey, but uh... the shape is borderline identical LOL. That's hillarious. Now I wanna know if some designer from Nintendo traced it and thought we'd never noticed...

[@DDKoD]

Splatoon just had wide mass appeal and that’s why it succeeded where it should’ve faild given history cause how many times we’ve heard “”x neglected series” didn’t sell well on GC cause of the install base”?

[@MR_fumbIes]

I’m just gonna say this I really like Splatoon two but I feel like it was missing something and I always knew it. It was a the Kraken I wonder why they never added it but after they added the DLC and then the new characters came out I figured it out but it’s back in Splatoon three and it’s kind of weird.

[@koala3856]

Splatoon 1 was the best thing that coulve happend to me. It is such a good game

[@disarmyouwitha]

splatoooon~ my love

[@8kawabunga]

very entertaining, w video

[@Grandstarbit]

Thank you! w comment

[@mispinchergamings3470]

10:53 lol

[@RazorLeef]

Hey! I’m a fellow Nintendo KZbinr! I really like your content! Keep going man!

[@Grandstarbit]

Thanks! You as well man!

[@Hyprst]

banger video

[@_arttime360_]

Woomy Woomy Woomy

[@Grandstarbit]

Woomy

[@_arttime360_]

Veemo!@@Grandstarbit

[@RaiderPlays]

Great video but we all have to know… what’s your Splatoon main?

[@Grandstarbit]

Thank you! In 1 I believe I used the Jet Squelcher the most but I swapped around frequently, 2 and 3 I used mostly Dualies I think? But I can't remember 100% which ones I used.

[@RaiderPlays]

@@Grandstarbit Respectable mains

[@Vivi-xn9iz]

it was so "weird" to play splatoon 1. You're used to play mario & zelda games from nintendo and suddenly you get a "cool kid" game? Wild UI, new shooter concept, weird and quirky weapons, etc... Everything was new and exciting. the concept of "squids can hide inside of paint and they need to ink the most surface with a giant roller, a bucket?? a minigun and a other weird weapons" is definitely not something that comes out of the mind of the "classic" game designer and I hope nintendo continues to try new concepts the EDP team that manages splatoon also manages animal crossing. They also have an EDP team for experimental games that dedicates to the hardware (like ring fit, and other games that use the specific technologies used by the console) The attempt with arms (made by a different team) is a good attemp but it doesn't feel unique. Instead of breaking conventions of shooter games like splatoon, they made a boxing game 'with a twist', trying to be competitive when other games such as smash bros already exists and allows for a lot of different scenarios

[@PhoenixGaming1234]

why are u using stick controls

[@davicl3s548]

I think the heavy focus on turf war was sort of annoying in this video, but otherwise it was really good. I think ranked is a lot more fun then turf because turf has no real stakes and the first 2 minutes don’t really matter in the end…

[@supercj.8546]

I love the WiiU so Much it has so much stuff that the Switch don’t have I want to Go on a Date with my WiiU and eat Spaghetti and pizza!!

[@GUCFan]

First of all, how the hell is Splatoon 1 almost 10 years old? Man time goes by so quickly! Splatfests, all so much fun but we do NOT talk about the Final Fest of Splatoon 1, oh god the toxicity of the fandom when the winner got announced was unreal. Splatoon 2 i felt like it was just rushed out the door, it was fun, the campaign was fun, Octo Expansion was fun but the online seemed iffy at times and some maps didn't come back, some maps weren't that fun to play on, Humpback Pump Track i'm looking at you, map that needs a redesign. Splatoon 3 so far has been amazing! But good god, for Splatoon 4 just go back to two teams for the Splatfests. Shiver wins too often, Frye loses too often and so does Big Man. Having three teams also causes Splatfests to be wildly unbalanced, Team Bigfoot barely having any votes was a huge issue. If they go with 4 hosts for the 4th game, pair the hosts, example host 1 and host 3 are on team Dog and host 2 and host 4 are on team Cat. Just go back to having only two teams and if you want more than two, reuse the TMNT Splatfest as a mold which was a smart way to get all four turtles into two Splatfests in two parts, culminating in the more popular turtle teams facing off in part three for a finale.

[@boonduckgod1655]

I love the Wii U why you doing this

[@guyug6940]

Nice

[@squiddu]

I am officially marking you as a good Marie fan, ie a fan of her without directly insulting Callie, as she did in 1. God, I still hate that style of writing in 1 and 2.. glad it changed in 3 to something more playful.

[@urigamz]

All my homies love Splatoon the WiiU 🗣🗣

[@Grandstarbit]

TRUE 🗣

[@urigamz]

Just realized I misspelled But STILL FR 🗣🗣🔥🔥

[@StaceyKokaua-balfour]

Bro i was born in 2015

[@HockeyNut-ez6wr]

I hate the Wii U

[@Grandstarbit]

thank you for your opinion "HockeyNut-ez6wr"

[@mispinchergamings3470]

Fun fact: why they not use Mario. They simple forgot Mario sunshine was a thing. Even later interview he said would been Mario probably, if they remember Mario sunshine. When somebody ask me I said Mario never use water or paint: Said by the boss. Me honest: think not enough times to count Mario be in this things. Same time was talking about the wall story. I tell later: Said by me lol.