Flounder Heights

Flounder Heights is a multiplayer stage in Splatoon and Splatoon 3. It is a map set on an apartment complex with many high vantage points and low, corner-based areas. It is a vertical stage with many inkable walls, allowing for several navigation options.

Layout
The center of Flounder Heights contains two towers connected by a grated bridge. This is where most fighting occurs, as the only way to get to the other side of the map is by going over the towers or through the alley beneath the bridge. Two alleys separate each team's base from the central towers, which each consist of one tree for cover. The bases in Flounder Heights resemble the starting areas in Saltspray Rig; the other team cannot reach the higher part of the plaza, and there are four ways of exiting into the low alleys. On both sides of the stage is a map that shows the layout of ink on the stage from a top-down perspective. However, the GamePad map renders these mostly redundant.

Flounder Heights received significant changes in Splatoon 3. The spawn region was changed drastically, moved more to the left and having more flat ground that leads to the left or to slightly higher ground to the right. The tunnel to the right side of the stage has been removed. Between the spawn points and middle of the stage remains mostly the same, except that there is now a pit in the center of the low ground. The left wall up to the middle of the stage also has changed slightly, with the other side being uninkable. Parts of the wall on the right have been made uninkable and terrain on the right has been removed. The entire center of the stage has been made shorter in height. The general structure of the center of the stage is the same.

Ranked Battle terrain
In Ranked Battles, specifications for the terrain or placement of objects are different between the modes; these changes create new paths or new objects to take cover behind.

Splat Zones
This stage includes two Splat Zones. Each zone is located on one of the two roofs of the central towers. The high ground is the main battlefield of this mode and using the buildings' walls can make for great access to either zone.

In Splatoon 3 the Splat Zones are in the same place. The small pit near the middle of the stage is filled to be on the same level as the main floor. An Inkrail is added on each team's snipe, giving another way to the towers.

Tower Control
The Tower is located at the center of the stage, in the lower path between the two main buildings. When ridden, the Tower travels over the divider wall and travel down through the low alleys before traveling into the lower part of the rivals' starting plaza. The goal points are at the center of each sandlot in both starting plazas.

In Splatoon 3 the Tower route is significantly changed. The Tower starts on the grates instead of being below them. It goes right then forward to go down the main entrance to the towers. After reaching the bottom, it goes forward for a bit then left to the goal. It is also possible to Squid Surge to the Tower front the trench.

Rainmaker
The Rainmaker in Flounder Heights is located on top of the grated bridge in the center of the map. The goal is located outside of the opposing team's base in the sandlot below the spawn point. Three stacks of boxes have been added to help the attacking team get inside the enemy team's starting plaza.

In Splatoon 3, the Rainmaker starts on the same area as before. The checkpoints are located on the main entrance to the towers and on the open area next to the ramp up. The goal is located in the open area of each team's spawn, closer to the drop. A ramp is added for access.

Clam Blitz
The baskets are located on the bottom, right before the ramp up. The pit is not filled, hampering a way to the basket.

Splatoon
Flounder Heights was revealed during a Japanese promotional trailer depicting new updates on 2015-07-24. It was released on 2015-08-20.

Splatfests
Flounder Heights was available in the following Splatfests in :


 * Singing vs. Dancing
 * Autobots vs. Decepticons
 * Airhead vs. Wisecracker
 * Naughty vs. Nice
 * Get Fit vs. Get Rich
 * Red Kitsune Udon vs. Green Tanuki Soba (December 2015)
 * Fancy Party vs. Costume Party

Splatoon 3
Flounder Heights was announced to return in the 2022-08-10 Nintendo Direct and arrived in the game at the start of Chill Season 2022. The complex has been redeveloped in collaboration with the local government and industry academics, "going greener" in the process. The stage's overall elevation was lowered, allowing for easier movement across the stage. The spawn region was also overhauled, being made much larger and more open. The walls near the Splat Zones are also no longer climbable, and the grated walkway was mostly removed.

Trivia

 * The stage's name is a reference to the real-life flounder.
 * This stage was featured in some promotional imagery for the release of the Rainmaker mode before it was released.
 * This stage's name was accidentally shown in a GameXplain preview video long before it was properly revealed.
 * Cicadas can be heard singing from the trees throughout the stage. The audio used is similar, if not identical, to that of the Brown Cicada, Walker Cicada and Robust Cicada in the Animal Crossing series.
 * The cicadas will also sound agitated if their tree is inked.
 * During Splatfests, which took place at night, crickets could be heard instead.
 * According to Callie, the battles on Flounder Heights occur in the afternoon at sunset.
 * Near the end of a match, the horn of a tofu seller can be heard.


 * A ghost can be seen in a window of one of the apartment buildings.
 * For a split second in the "Return of the Mammalians" trailer for Splatoon 3, an image depicting a water tank found in Flounder Heights can be seen in a black-and-white filter, around 1:10-1:11. It appears to be taken from the stage thumbnail for Splatoon.
 * On a pinboard found in the middle of the stage, a poster of a plate of curry can be seen. This poster could reference Chapter 2 of the Splatoon manga, where Team Blue win against Army's team on Flounder Heights, thanks to curry.