Mode


 * For fan modes, see this page.

Modes in Splatoon are different types of gameplay that can be accessed by players at different levels.

Level system
Online modes share a level system where points earned during matches add up to a new level. As the player's level gets higher, in-game characters will notice and will compliment the player on becoming more "fresh". As players level up, they unlock new weapons to purchase, new modes to play, etc. At Level 20, players can go to Spyke to add ability slots to gear or re-roll gear abilities for 30,000 Cash or one Super Sea Snail. Additionally, players can receive a new piece of gear or weapon from Judd every five levels starting at Level 25. The current maximum level is Level 50, as of the August 6th update.

Regular Battle
Regular Battle modes can be accessed by players of all levels. Currently, the only mode is Turf War.
 * Turf War: A mode consisting of four players in two teams. The team with the highest ink coverage after three minutes wins the match.

Ranked Battle
Ranked Battle becomes accessible when a player reaches level 10 by playing Regular Battle. The modes included in this category require a higher level of strategy compared to regular modes, and wins and losses will be counted toward players' ranks. Players begin with a "C-" rating, but are able to improve and regress based on how well they perform. It wasn't available until enough players worldwide reached level 10. Updates on the progress of the "Ranked Splatometer" were posted on official Nintendo social media accounts. Ranked Battle was unlocked on June 1st, 2015.


 * Splat Zones: Two teams of 4 fight to keep control of specially marked Zones on the map and try to cover it in their color ink. While controlling a zone, the opposing team's timer counts down toward zero. Both teams start at 100 on their counters. The team whose timer runs out wins the match.


 * Tower Control: Players compete for control of a central Tower platform, which will move through the stage towards enemy territory when a player stands on it. If the Tower is overtaken by an opponent, it will reverse direction. Whoever pushes the tower to their team's goal wins.


 * Rainmaker: Players compete for control of the Rainmaker, starting at the center of the map. The goal of this mode is for your team to acquire the Rainmaker weapon, and take it all the way into the enemy base. The Rainmaker is very heavy, preventing the user from super-jumping, but is capable of shooting ink tornadoes, similar to an Inkzooka.

Squad Battle
Squad Battle allows groups of two, three, or four friends to play together as a squad in Ranked Battles. This mode was released in the August 6th Update. Squad Battles are grouped either 4v4, 4v3, or 3v3 battles. Players can form Twin Squads (2 player), Tri-Squads (3 player), and Quad-Squads (4 player) with their Nintendo Network Friends. Twin Squads are temporarily teamed up with a second Twin Squad for a Quad-Squad. A Tri-Squad that is playing against a Quad-Squad has a quicker respawn bonus.

Splatfest
Splatfest is a special recurring event that happens on an irregular basis, hosted by the Squid Sisters. Players choose between two teams, such as Cats (orange) or Dogs (blue), and battle. Inkopolis Plaza and all of the stages are decorated for the event. Splatfest features its own ranking system based on the player's total points earned during the event. At the end of the event, the player is awarded an amount of Super Sea Snails based on their final ranking. The final Splatfest score is based on both popularity and the amount of wins. It can be accessed by players of all levels.
 * Splatfest Turf War: A mode consisting of four players in two teams. The team with the highest ink coverage after three minutes wins the match.

Private Battle
Private Battle mode is a special mode where the player can fight with/against their friends in customized matches. These matches can be any mode and any stage and can have any number of players, from 1v1 to 4v4. This mode was released in the August 6th Update. This is the only mode that is available at all times, even during Splatfests.

Octo Valley
A single player story mode with puzzle and platforming elements. It stars an Inkling in the Hero Suit fighting the Octarians in Octo Valley.

Amiibo Challenges
Amiibo Challenges are single player mission that are only accessible through tapping in a Splatoon Amiibo. The challenges have the player taking on levels in Octo Valley with a twist. Completing these challenges will net cash and exclusive rewards.

Battle Dojo
A local 2-player mode, with one player using the Wii U GamePad and the other using a separate controller, such as the Wii U Pro Controller, and the TV screen. Both players must attempt to pop balloons to reach 30 points. If the timer runs out before one player has reached 30 points, whoever has the most wins. Getting splatted will subtract points, which will vary depending on what position the player splatted was in. In the last minute of the battle, every balloon popped is worth double the points.

Other
These are other miscellaneous minor modes in the game.


 * Arcade Machine: A local single player mode allowing players to play any of the retro squid mini-games they have unlocked outside of the battle lobbies. Only Squid Jump is unlocked by default. Squid Racer, Squidball, and Squid Beatz can be unlocked via Amiibo Challenges.


 * Recon: A single player exploration mode of a stage. The time limit, stage design, and features are the same as the game mode from which you accessed Recon Mode.  This is useful to find new vantage points and turf. Recon mode can be accessed from the Battle Lobby by pressing.


 * Tutorial: The tutorial can be played when the player starts Splatoon for the first time.