First released on July 21, 2017, Splatoon 2 was an important multiplayer title for the Switch’s launch year alongside Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The first Splatoon was successful considering the meager installed base of the Wii U, and the sequel shattered Nintendo sales records for a new IP. By March 2022, Splatoon 2 sold over 13 million copies and entered the top 20 best-selling first party Switch games of all time. The success of Splatoon 2 prompted the development of another sequel, Splatoon 3, which aims to improve on nearly every facet of the previous title. New features in Splatoon 3 aim to improve the foundation laid down by Splatoon 2.
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Nintendo announced the Nintendo Switch Online exclusive “Online Jersey” and “Online Squidkid V Shoes” gear for Splatoon 2 will end distribution on August 31 in Japan. Additionally, Nintendo Switch Online exclusive gear codes associated with Splatoon 2 are set to expire on December 31 in Japan. In the US, the exclusive gear distribution also ends on August 31 and no further codes will be distributed following the deadline. Nintendo Switch Online subscribers in the US may download the exclusive gear until August 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM PT.
Nintendo Switch Online yearly subscribers were given codes for the exclusive Splatoon 2 gear in September 2018. The special offer came a few months after the release of Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion on July 13, 2018. Octo Expansion featured playable Octolings for the first time in the series and introduced a wealth of single-player content. Octo Expansion is the “perfect way to get some practice” before Splatoon 3 arrives, according to Nintendo’s eShop page.
Nintendo is likely winding down support of Splatoon 2 as the company prepares to support Splatoon 3 for years to come. The recent Splatoon 3 Nintendo Direct confirmed two years of updates were planned along with major DLC. Remaining Splatoon 2 players are expected to migrate to Splatoon 3, and the offer for Splatoon 2 exclusive gear will likely no longer appeal to players by then.
Unfortunately, users have cited issues regarding distribution of Splatoon 2 gear codes, which means some Nintendo Switch Online subscribers may have to contact Nintendo Support to resolve potential issues. Nintendo should remedy these issues before the August 31 deadline and the launch of Splatoon 3. A smooth transition from Splatoon 2 to Splatoon 3 may prove beneficial during the first few months of the game’s release. Later this month, the new Splatoon 3 Splatfest demo gives players an opportunity to try out the game before launch.
Splatoon 2 is available for Nintendo Switch.
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