The Splatoon franchise is a lot of things, though few would describe it as being similar to Super Mario Bros. These two franchises occupy separate ends of Nintendo's franchise list, with Mario being one of the oldest and most prestigious IPs in the gaming industry, while Splatoon is the new hotness that is built for younger Nintendo fans. Splatoon 3 continues the successful legacy of the squid kids in the chaotic Splatsville, and this year it seems to be holding down the fort in the absence of Nintendo's biggest franchises.
That's not to say that the classics have been left behind. While it's unclear what's happening with Mario right now apart from his upcoming animated film and Rabbids-focused spin-off, Splatoon 3 has made sure that he’s still relevant in the public’s thoughts. The game is hiding some surprising references to Mario's 3D efforts, most of them dripping with reverence for the older games. Super Mario Sunshine and the Super Mario Galaxy titles seem to be particular targets of adoration, although explaining how will involve discussing SPOILERS FOR SPLATOON 3.
How Splatoon 3 Parallels Super Mario Sunshine
In a way, Splatoon 3 feels like the sequel to Super Mario Sunshine. The two games are essentially different sides of the same coin, with one using water to clean toxic paint as the other sprays paint everywhere while cleaning up other goop. It doesn't take much inspection to imagine that key developers of the Splatoon trilogy played a lot of Mario Sunshine a couple of decades prior. Even the two settings bear some resemblance, with the vibrant vacation spot that is Isle Delfino serving as a good comparison to the various colorful cities, arenas, and levels across Splatoon.
However, after years of this comparison being at the back of many players' minds, Splatoon 3 has finally acknowledged it in a big way. Three of the new Hero Mode’s boss fights are against the band Deep Cut, with the third against the manta ray Big Man. Unlike anything the player has seen, he sinks into the ground and spreads his silhouette across the floor as a familiar green-blue and yellow paint appears. Those who haven't already connected the dots are quickly informed by a subtitle that this is a reference to the infamous Manta Storm level from Super Mario Sunshine. The fact that Phantamanta has been converted into a popular Splatoon character almost feels like a called shot by the developers, but either way, Sunshine fans are overjoyed to see this unique fight recreated in another game — just a lot easier.
Splatoon 3 Draws Inspiration From Super Mario Galaxy
While the fight against Big Man is a clear homage to Mario Sunshine's Phantamanta fight, Splatoon 3's links with Super Mario Galaxy are a little less apparent. Splatoon 3 does introduce a small assistant Salmonid roughly the size of Mario's Luma, but they serve very different gameplay roles. Little resembles Mario Galaxy until the player reaches Splatoon 3’s final confrontation with Mr. Grizz in outer space. It isn't far from Earth, but the first phase of the fight does feature a rotating platform that recalls some of Mario Galaxy's gravity shenanigans. It also ends with a flight segment against a giant burly villain, slightly reminiscent of the final fight with Bowser in Super Mario Galaxy 2.
The Mario Galaxy comparisons really kick into overdrive once a player completes Splatoon 3’s Hero Mode. After every level is beaten, a final secret Kettle unlocks, bringing the player into an ultimate test of their skills. It’s unlocked the same way Galaxy 1’s Grand Finale Galaxy and Galaxy 2’s Grandmaster Galaxy, the latter of which began the tradition of a monstrously hard level appearing after completing a 3D Mario game. Splatoon 3 even shares Grandmaster Galaxy’s multi-segment structure with no checkpoints, and the freedom Splatoon 3 offers with selecting different levels parallels how Mario Galaxy often lets players pick and choose what stars they want. It's heartwarming to see one of Nintendo's newest franchises learning from one of its oldest, and hopefully this love and appreciation for Mario games continues as Splatoon blasts off to ever greater heights.
Splatoon 3 is available now on Nintendo Switch.