Unused content in Splatoon 3
This page documents content included in pre-release versions of Splatoon 3 that was not included in the released game and content that was found in the game's files that was not made available.
Multiplayer
Weapons
- The Tri-Stringer would originally be unable to shoot explosive arrows and had the ability to store a charge. These abilities were removed and given to the REEF-LUX 450.
- The Crab Tank's design seemed to originally be flatter. There was no Inkling seen piloting it in the announcement trailer footage.[1] In the Return of the Mammalians trailer, some segments of the Crab Tank are colored to the rider's ink color.
- Prior to the release date reveal trailer, the Big Bubbler's base did not have a Squid Beakon attached to it.[2]
Stages
Earlier versions of stages were shown in pre-release material. Overall, the lighting on each of the stages is different compared to the final version.
Scorch Gorge
Scorch Gorge was originally much wider and had much more elevation. The grate platforms leading to the center were center-aligned, but uneven on both sides, meaning that it could have been the second multiplayer stage to not truly be symmetrical, with the first being Saltspray Rig.
Eeltail Alley
- Main article: Eeltail Alley/Development
Eeltail Alley was also much wider, and the red rail used in that version was re-used for the Splat Zones layout of the stage.
Museum d'Alfonsino
Museum d'Alfonsino mostly resembles the layout used in Splatoon, featuring rotating platforms near each team's spawn point. The taller platforms near the center of the stage originally had two spokes, compared to the three it has in the final version.
Gallery
Icons
Unused gear icons
Icons exist for several gear items which are unobtainable for players, meaning these icons can never be seen in-game.[3]
Player armor
Icons exist for all gear used by the player in Return of the Mammalians, but most of it cannot be obtained to wear outside the mode. In addition, duplicate icons exist for the Hero gear that can be obtained, likely due to the fact that the gear used in Return of the Mammalians is considered a separate set of items from the obtainable Replica set.
-
Unused 2D icon for the clothing of the un-upgraded Hero gear.
-
Unused 2D icon for the footwear of the un-upgraded Hero gear.
-
Unused 2D icon for the headgear worn by the player after collecting one Armor pickup.
-
Unused 2D icon for the clothing worn by the player after collecting one Armor pickup.
-
Unused 2D icon for the shoes worn by the player after collecting one Armor pickup.
-
Unused 2D icon for the headgear worn by the player after collecting two Armor pickups.
-
Unused 2D icon for the clothing worn by the player after collecting two Armor pickups.
-
Unused 2D icon for the shoes worn by the player after collecting two Armor pickups.
-
Unused 2D icon for the headgear worn by the player during Return of the Mammalians' final missions.
-
Unused 2D icon for the clothing worn by the player during Return of the Mammalians' final missions.
-
Unused 2D icon for the shoes worn by the player during Return of the Mammalians' final missions.
Captain's gear
These icons are for the Captain's gear. The gear is used in the game by the Captain, but is not obtainable for players.
-
Unused 2D icon for the Captain's headgear.
-
Unused 2D icon for the Captain's clothing.
-
Unused 2D icon for the Captain's shoes.
Enemy Octoling gear
These icons are for the gear worn by enemy Octolings in Return of the Mammalians.
-
Unused 2D icon for the headgear worn by enemy Octolings.
-
Unused 2D icon for the headgear worn by Elite Octolings.
-
Unused 2D icon for the clothing worn by enemy Octolings.
-
Unused 2D icon for the shoes worn by enemy Octolings.
Unused Tableturf Battle icons
Certain cards and card sleeve designs for Tableturf Battles were changed over time.[4]
-
An early version of Callie's Tableturf Battle sleeve.
-
An early version of the Mini Splatling's Tableturf Card. Note the Eminence Cuff, which hasn't been added to Splatoon 3.
-
An early version of the Octotrooper Tableturf Card. Note that it is an illustration instead of a 3D cutout.
Early special weapon badge icons
Early designs for special weapon badges were left in the game files. All of them feature Test in red at the top and use lime green instead of cyan as the accent color, as well as featuring shading that isn't present in the final version.[5]
-
Early Big Bubbler icon. The Squid Beakon is missing and the top has a different design.
-
Early Booyah Bomb icon.
-
Early Crab Tank icon.
-
Early Ink Storm icon.
-
Early Ink Vac icon.
-
Early Inkjet icon.
-
Early Killer Wail 5.1 icon.
-
Early Reefslider icon. It's very reminiscent of the Splashdown, suggesting a completely different concept for the special.
-
Early Tacticooler icon. Different from the final version, bottles are stored inside of the cooler.
-
Early Tenta Missiles icon.
-
Early Triple Inkstrike icon. It uses an edited version of Splatoon 2's Suction Bomb Launcher icon.
-
Early Trizooka icon.
-
Early Ultra Stamp icon.
-
Early Wave Breaker icon. It suggests a completely different design for the special.
-
Early Zipcaster icon.
-
Early Rainmaker icon. It is the same icon used in Splatoon 2.
Return of the Mammalians
Zapfish
A Zapfish can be seen in an area in Alterna with upside-down buildings. However, Zapfish only appear in The Crater levels in the final game, and make no appearances in Alterna.[2]
Yellow ink
The Return of the Mammalians trailer shows Agent 3 taking in the sight of Alterna's buildings. There are no levels in the game that have both the buildings background and the yellow ink color.[2]
Alterna
Alterna's overworld seemingly went through a few changes between the trailer and the final game. The only locations shown are Future Utopia Island and the Alterna Space Center.[2]
- The sky dome was different, being cloudier and darker.
- The lighting was originally more overcast to reflect the different sky dome, with larger shadows.
- The terrain in Future Utopia Island is different, causing several landmarks to be positioned slightly differently.
- The numbers in the orange structure in Future Utopia Island do not overlap the white indentation in the trailer, but do in the final game.
- Red tape can be seen on a piece of corrugated sheet metal when the New Squidbeak Splatoon introduces themselves. In the final game, the tape is removed.
- The Spirit Lifter is not covered with Fuzzy Ooze in the trailer.
- The area between Rocket 01 and 02 in the Alterna Space Center sequence has graffiti on it not seen in the final game.
- The rocket's service structure, seen between Rocket 03 and Rocket 04, had less lighting, a differently placed prop, and no pipes above the player.
Salmon Run Next Wave
Sockeye Station
Sockeye Station had several differences in its background in pre-release material.[6]
- The Aji-Fry Tower originally did not have protrusions coming out of it.
- The left side of the fortress did not protrude outward, instead coming inward like its opposite side.
- The triangle neon sign on a pole to the right of the basket had another neon sign under it instead of a poster.
- The background nets were closer to the sandbar.
- There was no gondola.
- The outposts on the sides of the map did not exist in pre-release material.
- One of the pieces of graffiti used to glow.
- There were two cables above the basket instead of one.
- The food sculptures were different.
Enemy differences
Flipper-Flopper
In prerelease footage, the Flipper-Flopper did not rebound on dive when its ring was painted over, instead immediately going to its side. It can be presumed that there was not an animation intact for this scenario at the time.
Grizzco lobby differences
The cooler that the Mr. Grizz statue rests on did not originally have stickers.