Goal

"When the goal is activated, touch it to pass the test."

- C.Q. Cumber

The goal appears at the end of most missions in the Octo Expansion and Splatoon 3 story mode Return of the Mammalians, serving a similar role to that of Zapfish in Octo Valley and Octo Canyon.

Octo Expansion
The goal is shaped like a metallic rod and floats above a podium, being split into several pieces, and is surrounded by a yellow glowing barrier that the player must ink in order to break and touch the goal, which sends metallic rod into its hole. If the player does not touch the goal, it will return to its former state, where the barrier has to be broken again in order to touch the goal and finish the mission. The goal has a sharp end and a handle, making it resemble a ballpoint pen.

Data points, which look like smaller versions of the goal albeit with a few visual differences, appear in some missions which require the player to collect eight of them to complete the mission, similar to how Mini Zapfish missions work in Octo Canyon.

Octo Expansion
Most 8-Ball stations are completed with 8-Ball Goals, 8-Ball Switches or another kind of success condition, except for Totally 8-Ball Station, which features a standard goal.

Return of the Mammalians
A goal is present at the end of every mission, except for all the Crater, Boss and Alterna Space Center levels, as well as the following missions:
 * What Caused the Big Bang? YOU!
 * Deadly Dance Hall - Jump, Jump!
 * Conveyor-Belt Tightening
 * Those Aren't Birds
 * A Compulsive Collector's Paradise
 * Enter the Stamp Gauntlet