Splattack!
Splattack! is a song performed by Squid Squad.
Description
Splattack! is one of the five multiplayer songs released with Splatoon at launch. Like all battle songs, it has a random chance of being played during online matches. Like most Squid Squad songs, Splattack! is a fusion of rock and electronic music, with an emphasis on the backing drums and prominent guitar riffs, but also features singing in the Inkling language. In addition to multiplayer matches, it can also be heard in Squid Beatz.
Through a Splatune booklet interview, it was revealed that this was the Squid Squad's first single and was originally leaked online un-named. Large amounts of people downloaded the song to their music players, instantly becoming the standard for battle music, and helped propel Squid Squad to stardom. It became a hit after catching the attention of GISSAN (the producer of Fresh Kids) from a demonstration tape.
In Splatoon 2, Splattack! can be unlocked to listen in Squid Beatz 2 as a final reward from the 
Inkling Boy (Purple) amiibo. It cannot, however, be heard anywhere else in the base game. It has a maximum score of 280 and 528 in Normal and Hard modes, respectively.
See also: Splattack!
The song is also featured in the soundtrack for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, along with a remix (see below).
Remixes and covers
Splattack! (Jam Session)
The Jam Session is a remix of Splattack! that has a more prominent bass than the original, and although it has a minimalist start, more instrumentation is added as the track progresses. It plays during the tutorial. However, after completing it, it can no longer be heard anywhere in the game. It does not appear in Squid Beatz but does appear in Splatune.
It was revealed in the Splatune interview that this song came from a brainstorming session and was later developed into the final version of Splattack!.
Splattack! (Inkredible New Stages and Gear)
A remixed version of Splattack! played during the first half of the Inkredible New Stages and Gear trailer released on November 12, 2015, while announcing Museum d'Alfonsino. It features a classical-style intro to suit the museum theme, before transitioning into a composition more like the original version. It is not used anywhere else other than the trailer. The song stops when the second half of the trailer begins, announcing Mahi-Mahi Resort and using Shellfie. The backing soundtrack to the entire trailer without any sound effects was released in the Splatoon Live in Makuhari album, which also includes the second half of Shellfie.
Splattack! (New Stage Squid Dance)
Another Splattack! remix used exclusively in a trailer, this version played during the New Stage Squid Dance (Piranha Pit & Ancho-V Games) trailer. It features a very similar composition to the Jam Session version but also has a lot of Inkling sound effects incorporated into the tune. It also appears in Splatoon Live in Makuhari.
Splattack! (Mario Kart 8 Deluxe)
A new remix was composed for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for use on the Urchin Underpass map. Although it initially sounds very similar to the original, there are many minor changes to the composition. For the main riff of the track, there is an emphasis on the off-beats, akin to the composition of jazz music, to match the rest of the game's jazz-based soundtrack. There are also samples of the Jam Session version of the track. During the final minute of matches, however, the music shifts to Now or Never!.
Splattack! (Octo)
The Octo Expansion features the proper return of Splattack! in Splatoon 2, with a remix known as Splattack! (Octo). This is performed by Dedf1sh, who remixed the original from Squid Squad. It is played during the Spinal Phase where Agent 8 battles a mind-controlled Agent 3. It resembles a glitched version of the regular song, transforming it into being purely electronic, rather than the rock fusion of the original. A sample from the intro of I am Octavio and a segue from Octavio's remix of Bomb Rush Blush can also be heard. It can also be heard in Octotune and Squid Beatz 2, with a maximum score of 297 and 666 in Normal and Hard modes, respectively.
Splattack! (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate)
See also: Splattack!
Arranged by Taito Corporation and supervised by Shohei Tsuchiya (ZUNTATA), a new Splattack! remix was composed for use in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The song now has a jazz-like composition, with the use of trumpets and saxophones, rather than the rock sound of the original. It also includes the melody from the Opening for starting a match at the beginning and Now or Never! at the end. By default, it is the song with the highest chance of playing on Moray Towers, and can also be heard in the Sounds section in the Vault menu.
Other versions
Splattack! (E3 2014)
During the initial reveal trailer for Splatoon, an early version was used. It was rougher than the final version, with a louder emphasis on vocals, which had a slight echo and was re-recorded for the final cut. The intro (which was moved in the final version) appears to resemble the opening of a live performance, as it features what appears to be a crowd chanting. It appears on Splatune, where it is listed as having no artist, possibly as the band had not been developed at the point of the song's creation.
Splattack! (Single Player trailer)
The early E3 version of Splattack! was once again used at the beginning of the Splatoon Single Player Trailer. The song is mostly the same as the E3 version, but a radio-esque filter was added to emphasise the contrast between the multiplayer and single player campaigns, and to signify the warfare-like theme of Octo Valley. A similar effect is used on Sheldon's version of Lookin' Fresh. Due to the nature of it being an intro, it is very short, playing for only sixteen seconds before it transitions into Tentacular Circus for the rest of the trailer.
Splash Screen music
During the Splash Screen for Splatoon, the percussion line from Splattack! plays.
Shooting Range music
In the Shooting Range, a version of Splattack! (Jam Session) plays, looping the beginning of that version. It does not appear in Squid Beatz or any Splatoon soundtrack.
Agent 3 Appears!
In the Octo Expansion, when Agent 3 responds to Agent 8's CQ-80 distress signal, activated by Marina, and jumps through the roof of Central Station to save them and Cap'n Cuttlefish, the Splattack! (Jam Session) plays very briefly until Agent 3 gets knocked out. Known as Agent 3 Appears!, this version is mostly the same as the original but only lasts sixteen seconds. The version extracted from the game still has the sound effects of Agent 3 smashing the glass of the roof and the blender. This version does not appear in any Splatoon soundtrack.
Samples and interpolations
Maritime Memory
- Main article: Maritime Memory
Maritime Memory by the Squid Sisters takes inspiration from multiple songs, with Splattack! being one of them. A series of notes from Splattack! play in the background at one part.
Inkoming! (Splatoon 2 reveal trailer)
- Main article: Inkoming!
The song Inkoming! by Wet Floor was played during the initial reveal trailer of Splatoon 2 at the Nintendo Switch Presentation. During the end of the trailer, a series of notes that make up the melody of Splattack! can be heard. This outro is not heard in any other version of Inkoming!
A message from Grizzco Industries
The song that played during the intro of the Salmon Run trailer in the April 2017 Nintendo Direct, interpolates the melody of Splattack!
Trivia
- Splattack! is considered the theme tune of Splatoon, with the song being played during the initial reveal trailer of the game. It is the first song on Squid Beatz and among the first on Splatune. The song and its variants have been played in multiple trailers and commercials for Splatoon, more than any other song.[1] [2]
- Splattack! can also be seen as the theme tune for Agent 3, due to their prominent role in Splatoon. In the Octo Expansion, during major scenes featuring Agent 3, such as when they save Agent 8 and Cap'n Cuttlefish, or when Agent 8 battles Sanitized Agent 3, a version of Splattack! plays in the background.
- Inkoming! could be seen as the theme tune of Splatoon 2, and similarly shares having an exclamation mark at the end.
- A behind the scenes video was released showing the recording of Splattack!. However, the video itself uses the final recording instead of the raw performance. The Jam Session version was also used as the intro music for the video as the band warms up.
- In Splatune, Splattack! (Jam Session) fades out, unlike the file in the game which cuts out abruptly.
- What appears to be the band shouting “Squid Squad!” can be heard throughout the song, such as at the five-second mark.
- The Splattack! (Octo) remix resembles a corrupted version of the original, paralleling how Tartar corrupted Agent 3's mind. It could also represent the corruption of Dedf1sh from being sanitized and losing her free will.
- The songs sampling of DJ Octavio tracks makes sense considering that Dedf1sh is an Octoling that served under Octavio.
- With the purchase of DLC, players can play Splattack! (E3 2014) in Daigasso! Band Brothers P. In April 2016, Splattack! (Jam Session) was also added.
Etymology
Splattack! is a portmanteau of “splat” and “attack”.
References
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