View source for Unused content in Splatoon 3

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Unused content in ''Splatoon 3''}}
This page documents content included in pre-release versions of {{S3}} 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 ===
[[File:S3 Unused Tri-Stringer Function.png|256px|thumb|right|alt=An Inkling in the training room drawing back the Tri-stringer, using the normally unused projectile tracer.|Unused [[stringer]] projectile tracer.]]

* The [[Tri-Stringer]] would originally be unable to shoot explosive arrows and could store a charge. These abilities were removed and given to the [[REEF-LUX 450]].
* [[Stringer]] weapons have an unused projectile tracer that would appear when the weapon is charging.
* The [[Crab Tank]]'s design seemed to originally be flatter. There was no [[Inkling]] seen piloting it in the announcement trailer footage.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUYDXVDLmns {{YT}} ''Splatoon 3'' Announcement Trailer]</ref> 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.<ref name="rotmtrailer">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4ngPsn5d5A {{YT}} Return of the Mammalians trailer]</ref>

=== Stages ===
Earlier versions of [[stage]]s 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 not truly symmetrical, with the first being [[Saltspray Rig]].

<gallery>
S3 promo screenshot Scorch Gorge 00.jpg
S3 promo screenshot Scorch Gorge 01.jpg
S3 promo screenshot Scorch Gorge 02.jpg
S3 promo screenshot Scorch Gorge 03.jpg
</gallery>

====Eeltail Alley====
{{Main|Eeltail Alley/Development}}

[[Eeltail Alley]] was also much wider, and the red rail used in that version was reused for the [[Splat Zones]] layout of the stage.

<gallery>
S3 promo screenshot Eeltail Alley 00.jpg
S3 promo screenshot Eeltail Alley 01.jpg
S3 Inkling with Splash-o-matic.jpg
S3 promo screenshot Eeltail Alley 03.jpg
</gallery>

==== Museum d'Alfonsino ====
[[Museum d'Alfonsino]] mostly resembles the layout used in {{S}}, 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>
S3 Stage Museum d'Alfonsino Promo 1.jpg
S3 Stage Museum d'Alfonsino Promo 2.jpg
S3 Stage Museum d'Alfonsino Promo 3.jpg
S3 Stage Museum d'Alfonsino Promo 4.jpg
</gallery>

==== Um'ami Ruins ====
[[Um'ami Ruins]] appears to be much larger with additional terrain, although it is missing some decorations that would be seen in the final version.

<gallery>
S3 Um'ami Ruins stage preview.png
</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.<ref>[https://www.spriters-resource.com/fullview/183568/ The Spriters Resource - ''Splatoon 3'' - Gear Icons]</ref>

====Player armor====
Icons exist for all gear used by the player in {{RotM}}, 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 because the gear used in Return of the Mammalians is considered a separate set of items from the obtainable Replica set.

<gallery>
S3 Gear Headgear Hero Armor Level One.png|Unused 2D icon for the headgear worn by the player after collecting one [[Armor]] pickup.
S3 Gear Clothing Hero Armor Level One.png|Unused 2D icon for the clothing worn by the player after collecting one Armor pickup.
S3 Gear Shoes Hero Armor Level One.png|Unused 2D icon for the shoes worn by the player after collecting one Armor pickup.
S3 Gear Headgear Hero Armor Level Two.png|Unused 2D icon for the headgear worn by the player after collecting two Armor pickups.
S3 Gear Clothing Hero Armor Level Two.png|Unused 2D icon for the clothing worn by the player after collecting two Armor pickups.
S3 Gear Shoes Hero Armor Level Two.png|Unused 2D icon for the shoes worn by the player after collecting two Armor pickups.
S3 Gear Headgear Hero Space Headgear.png|Unused 2D icon for the headgear worn by the player during Return of the Mammalians' final missions.
S3 Gear Clothing Hero Space Jacket.png|Unused 2D icon for the clothing worn by the player during Return of the Mammalians' final missions.
S3 Gear Shoes Hero Space Boots.png|Unused 2D icon for the shoes worn by the player during Return of the Mammalians' final missions.
</gallery>

====Enemy Octoling gear====
These icons are for the gear worn by enemy [[Octoling (enemy)|Octolings]] in Return of the Mammalians.

<gallery>
S3 Gear Headgear Fuzzy Octoling Goggles.png|Unused 2D icon for the headgear worn by enemy Octolings.
S3 Gear Headgear Elite Fuzzy Octoling Goggles.png|Unused 2D icon for the headgear worn by Elite Octolings.
S3 Gear Clothing Fuzzy Octoling Armor.png|Unused 2D icon for the clothing worn by enemy Octolings.
S3 Gear Shoes Fuzzy Octoling Boots.png|Unused 2D icon for the shoes worn by enemy Octolings.
</gallery>

===Unused Tableturf icons===
Certain [[List of Tableturf Battle cards in Splatoon 3|card]]s and card sleeve designs for Tableturf Battles were changed over time.<ref>[https://tcrf.net/Splatoon_3/Unused_Textures#Tableturf_Battle TCRF - ''Splatoon 3'' Unused Tableturf Textures]</ref>

{| class="wikitable sitecolor-s3 unsortable mw-collapsible"
|-
! style="width: 176px" | Early ({{Ver|S3|1.0.0}}) 
! style="width: 176px" | Final ({{Ver|S3|1.1.0}}) !! Notes
|-
| [[File:Early Callie Tableturf Battle Sleeve.png|100px|centre]] || [[File:S3 Tableturf Battle Sleeve Callie.png|100px|centre]] || [[Callie]]'s Tableturf Battle card sleeve was entirely replaced. The early version repurposes a {{S}} [[:File:S Icon Callie alt.png|icon]] of her, whereas the final version repurposes [[:File:S Band Squid Sisters.jpg|one of her albums' art]].
|-
| [[File:Unused Mini Splatling Tableturf Card.png|175px|centre]] || [[File:S3 Tableturf Battle card Mini Splatling.png|150px|centre]] || The Octoling wears the {{S2}}-exclusive [[Eminence Cuff]] in the early version of the [[Mini Splatling]]'s Tableturf Battle card, which notably is not available in {{S3}}.
|-
| [[File:Unused Octotrooper Tableturf Card.png|175px|centre]] || [[File:S3 Tableturf Battle card Octotrooper.png|150px|centre]] || The early version of the [[Octotrooper]] Tableturf Battle card is an illustration rather than a 3D cutout. It also more closely resembles the Octotrooper's appearance in the first two games rather than the design used in [[Return of the Mammalians]].
|}

===Early Tableturf Battle icons===
During the [[User icon#Set 4|waves for the fourth set]] of Nintendo Switch Online icon parts, some Tableturf card icons used different art from the final versions. The incorrect icons were eventually updated to the correct versions.<ref>[https://twitter.com/ashbinary_/status/1686196780101513217 {{TWI}} @ashbinary_ on Twitter]</ref><ref>[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Q4fePplg8ugavXoqBlXflFihEFA-UTSP6VLTUrvP9h4 NSO Icon Part Database - v3.4.12]</ref><ref>[https://tcrf.net/Splatoon_3/Unused_Graphics#Alternate_Tableturf_Cards TCRF - ''Splatoon 3'' Alternate Tableturf Cards]</ref>

<!-- note: these are ordered according to how the spreadsheet ref orders them -->
{| class="wikitable sitecolor-s3 unsortable mw-collapsible"
|-
! style="width: 176px" | NSO icon part (Early) 
! style="width: 176px" | Tableturf Battle card (Final) !! Notes
|-
| [[File:NSO icon S3 Tableturf Battle card .52 Gal Early.png|175px|centre]] || [[File:S3 Tableturf Battle card .52 Gal.png|150px|centre]]
| The Inkling's socks portion of their [[School Shoes + Hi Socks]] is miscolored in the early version of the [[.52 Gal]] card.
|-
| [[File:NSO icon S3 Tableturf Battle card Sloshing Machine Early.png|175px|centre]] || [[File:S3 Tableturf Battle card Sloshing Machine.png|150px|centre]]
| The Inkling's [[Party Hard Hat]] lacks streamers on its squid-shaped banners in the early version of the [[Sloshing Machine]] card.
|-
| [[File:NSO icon S3 Tableturf Battle card Range Blaster Early.png|175px|centre]] || [[File:S3 Tableturf Battle card Range Blaster.png|150px|centre]]
| The lenses of the Octoling's [[Ink-Tinted Goggles]] have different shading in the early version of the [[Range Blaster]] card.
|-
| [[File:NSO icon S3 Tableturf Battle card Luna Blaster Early.png|175px|centre]] || [[File:S3 Tableturf Battle card Luna Blaster.png|150px|centre]]
| The Octoling's pupils resemble [[Marina]] or [[Shiver]]'s in the early version of the [[Luna Blaster]] card.
|-
| [[File:NSO icon S3 Tableturf Battle card Splattershot Pro Early.png|175px|centre]] || [[File:S3 Tableturf Battle card Splattershot Pro.png|150px|centre]]
| The Octoling's [[Suede Nation Lace-Ups]] have slightly different colors in the early version of the [[Splattershot Pro]] card.
|-
| [[File:NSO icon S3 Tableturf Battle card E-liter 4K Scope Early.png|175px|centre]] || [[File:S3 Tableturf Battle card E-liter 4K Scope.png|150px|centre]]
| The Inkling's [[Button-Clown Shirt]] is miscolored in the early version of the [[E-liter 4K Scope]] card.
|-
| [[File:NSO icon S3 Tableturf Battle card Classic Squiffer Early.png|175px|centre]] || [[File:S3 Tableturf Battle card Classic Squiffer.png|150px|centre]]
| The [[Classic Squiffer]] held by the Octoling is miscolored in the early version of its card.
|-
| [[File:NSO icon S3 Tableturf Battle card Slosher Early.png|175px|centre]] || [[File:S3 Tableturf Battle card Slosher.png|150px|centre]]
| The [[Slosher]] features its {{S2}} color scheme in the early version of its card.
|-
| [[File:NSO icon S3 Tableturf Battle card Explosher Early.png|175px|centre]] || [[File:S3 Tableturf Battle card Explosher.png|150px|centre]]
| The [[Explosher]] features its {{S2}} color scheme in the early version of its card.
|-
| [[File:NSO icon S3 Tableturf Battle card Tenta Brella Early.png|175px|centre]] || [[File:S3 Tableturf Battle card Tenta Brella.png|150px|centre]]
| The [[Tenta Brella]]'s colors are duller, and its [[Weapon brand#Sorella|Sorella]] logo placement is lower in the early version of its card.
|-
| [[File:NSO icon S3 Tableturf Battle card Nautilus 47 Early.png|175px|centre]] || [[File:S3 Tableturf Battle card Nautilus 47.png|150px|centre]]
| Part of the [[Nautilus 47]] is erroneously missing the Octoling's ink color in the early version of its card.
|-
| [[File:NSO icon S3 Tableturf Battle card Splat Brella Early.png|175px|centre]] || [[File:S3 Tableturf Battle card Splat Brella.png|150px|centre]]
| The [[Splat Brella]] features its {{S2}} color scheme in the early version of its card.
|-
| [[File:NSO icon S3 Tableturf Battle card Splatana Wiper Early.png|175px|centre]] || [[File:S3 Tableturf Battle card Splatana Wiper.png|150px|centre]]
| The Inkling's eye color is different in the early version of the [[Splatana Wiper]] card.
|}

=== Early special weapon badge icons ===
{{Incomplete|Old source was [https://tcrf.net/index.php?title{{=}}Splatoon_3/Unused_Textures&oldid{{=}}1400033#Specials TCRF - Splatoon 3 Unused Weapon Badge Textures]. Check current source for new info.<ref name="Badges">[https://tcrf.net/Proto:Splatoon_3/Version_1.0.0#Early_Badges TCRF - ''Splatoon 3'' Early Badges]</ref>}}
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 is not present in the final version.<ref name="Badges"/>

<gallery>
S3 Big Bubbler early icon.png|Early [[Big Bubbler]] icon. The [[Squid Beakon]] is missing and the top has a different design.
S3 Booyah Bomb early icon.png|Early [[Booyah Bomb]] icon.
S3 Crab Tank early icon.png|Early [[Crab Tank]] icon.
S3 Ink Storm early icon.png|Early [[Ink Storm]] icon.
S3 Ink Vac early icon.png|Early [[Ink Vac]] icon.
S3 Inkjet early icon.png|Early [[Inkjet]] icon.
S3 Killer Wail 5.1 early icon.png|Early [[Killer Wail 5.1]] icon.
S3 Reefslider early icon.png|Early [[Reefslider]] icon. It is very reminiscent of the [[Splashdown]], suggesting a completely different concept for the special.
S3 Tacticooler early icon.png|Early [[Tacticooler]] icon. Different from the final version, bottles are stored inside the cooler.
S3 Tenta Missiles early icon.png|Early [[Tenta Missiles]] icon.
S3 Triple Inkstrike early icon.png|Early [[Triple Inkstrike]] icon. It uses an edited version of ''[[Splatoon 2]]''{{'s}} [[Bomb Launcher|Suction Bomb Launcher]] icon.
S3 Trizooka early icon.png|Early [[Trizooka]] icon.
S3 Ultra Stamp early icon.png|Early [[Ultra Stamp]] icon.
S3 Wave Breaker early icon.png|Early [[Wave Breaker]] icon. It suggests a completely different design for the special.
S3 Zipcaster early icon.png|Early [[Zipcaster]] icon.
S3 Rainmaker early icon.png|Early [[Rainmaker (weapon)|Rainmaker]] icon. It is the same icon used in ''Splatoon 2''.
</gallery>

===Unused emote icons ===
An icon for the unobtainable [[emote]] [[Emote#Splatfest|"Win Tricol"]], the nodding animation performed by the assisting attacking team in Tricolor battles, exists in the files.

<gallery>
S3 Emote Win Tricol.png|Win Tricol's emote icon
</gallery>

== Return of the Mammalians ==
=== Zapfish ===
[[File:Splatoon 3 Zapfish.png|thumb|150px|Trailer footage showing the Zapfish in Alterna.]]

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.<ref name="rotmtrailer"/>

=== Yellow ink ===
[[File:RotM promo screenshot story Alterna stage 02.jpg|thumb|Trailer footage of Agent 3 taking in the Alterna buildings, with an ink color not found in any levels with this background.]]

The Return of the Mammalians trailer shows [[Agent 3 (Splatoon 3)|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.<ref name="rotmtrailer"/>

=== Alterna ===
[[File:RotM promo screenshot story Alterna 00.jpg|thumb|Trailer footage featuring an early Future Utopia Island.]]

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]].<ref name="rotmtrailer"/>

* 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.
{{Clear}}

== Salmon Run Next Wave ==
=== Sockeye Station ===
[[Sockeye Station]] had several differences in its background in pre-release material.<ref name="srnw trailer">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-Djf0ds_bA {{YT}} Salmon Run Next Wave Trailer]</ref>

[[File:SRNW promo 10.jpg|thumb|Promotional screenshot of Sockeye Station featuring an early Aji-Fry Tower.]]

* 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 pre-release 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 ===
[[File:SRNW promo 01.jpg|thumb|Promotional screenshot featuring Mr. Grizz without the stickers on his cooler.]]

The cooler that the [[Mr. Grizz]] statue rests on did not originally have stickers.
{{Clear}}

== Grand Festival ==
[[File:S3 Grand Festival Plaza Early.png|thumb|Unused screenshot of the Grand Festival venue featuring early textures and models.]]

The data for the [https://www.nintendo.com/jp/switch/av5ja/grandfestival/index.html official Japanese website] for the [[Past vs. Present vs. Future|Grand Festival]] includes an unused image that shows what appears to be an early version of the Giant Clam stage, with all three groups performing. Early textures that spell out "Effect" are also present.<ref>{{TWI}} [[Inkipedia:Twitter archive/2024/September#1830526180136554701|@Wasarety65 on Twitter]]</ref>
{{Clear}}

== Unused customization options ==
===Inaccessible ''Octo Expansion'' legwear===
The two unique legwear types worn by the player character in {{OE}} are also present in ''Splatoon 3''{{'s}} files, to be used by the Octoling Girl and Octoling Boy [[amiibo]]. If the game is modified so that these can be chosen by the player, it can be seen that both the skirt and pants have meshes to be used for both feminine and masculine styles. As the legwear is only used on the amiibo characters, the masculine style of the skirt and the feminine style of the pants go unused.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230604175226/https://twitter.com/heyheymasa/status/1633184266292015114 {{TWI}} Heyheymasa on Twitter]</ref>

=== Unused Facial Customization ===
[[File:S3 inkling girl concept.jpg|256px|thumb|right|alt=An Concept art for ''Splatoon 3'' Inkling girl|Concept art showing how the freckles may have looked.]]

Two textures of freckles and a scar are leftover in the files for character customization. The freckles are located under the player's eyes while the scar has three slashes over the left eye. Both textures are able to be loaded back into the game.<ref>[https://x.com/DiamCreeper23/status/1582605653947797504 {{TWI}}@DiamCreeper23 on Twitter]</ref> Since [[Version 1.1.0 (Splatoon 3)|version 1.1.0]], these textures were blanked out.<ref>[https://tcrf.net/Splatoon_3/Unused_Graphics#Character_Customization The Cutting Room Floor]</ref>

==Animations==
At 1:56 in the Salmon Run Next Wave Trailer, the [[Signal|Booyah!]] animation appears to be in an incomplete state as the Inkling's mouth stays shut when it calls out happily.<ref name="srnw trailer"></ref>

<gallery widths="200" heights="200">
S3 booyah prerelease animation.mp4|An Inkling performing a seemingly incomplete "Booyah!" animation. [[:File:S3 booyah prerelease animation.mp4|(link to file)]]
</gallery>

== References ==
<references />

== External links ==
* [https://tcrf.net/Splatoon_3 ''Splatoon 3'' - The Cutting Room Floor]
* [https://www.spriters-resource.com/nintendo_switch/splatoon3/ Nintendo Switch - ''Splatoon 3'' - The Spriters Resource]

[[Category:Lists]]