Despite a remarkably successful launch, fans have been poking holes at design decisions made in Splatoon 3. Even before its official release, Splatoon 3 had been criticized for its newly introduced Tricolor Turf Wars as part of Splatfests. Splatoon 3 will receive regular updates like any live-service title, but there are still inherent design concerns that many players think should be improved. One concern in particular relates to Tableturf Battle and the catalog system.
While fans wait for Splatoon 3’s Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet Splatfest, they can continue progressing in whichever game modes they please. Throughout Turf War, Anarchy, and Salmon Run, players accumulate points toward the catalog. First wins of the day also allot a bonus sum of points, which exponentially increases the player’s catalog level as an incentive to play. It is a shame, then, that Tableturf Battle does not also contribute to the catalog system at all.
Nintendo Has Backburned Tableturf Battle in Splatoon 3
Tableturf Battle has felt sidelined since the launch of Splatoon 3. This is unsurprising since Tableturf Battle is a new game mode that has nothing to do with traditional gameplay, and therefore many seasoned, competitive Splatoon players may not be interested in it.
Moreover, there has always been a lingering issue with menus in Splatoon 3, especially as it pertains to navigation and finding the Tableturf Battle Dojo. The actual arena where players can take part in Tableturf matches is obscured and impossible to fast-travel to, making it seem like Nintendo was almost attempting to hide it. This may or may not be the case, but either way it is clear that Tableturf Battle is not a priority, and a few improvements could be made to change that.
Tableturf Battle is still a great in-game diversion if nothing else, especially when players may be weary from a botched Salmon Run gig or a failed Rainmaker match. However, because Tableturf Battle is so out of the way with little incentive other than the player’s own fulfillment, it is not surprising that many fans may be ignoring it for other game modes.
Splatoon 3's Tableturf Battle Matches Should Contribute to Catalog Progression
Splatoon 3’s catalog provides a list of goodies players can claim once they progress through sequential levels. These catalog levels are separate from the player’s overall level, and items that are awarded must be claimed from Hotlantis’ general store in Splatsville. Players can idly ascend through catalog levels by playing regular game modes at the lobby or Salmon Run gigs at Grizzco Industries, but winning Tableturf matches only increases players’ Tableturf rank. If Tableturf Battle contributed at all to catalog progression, let alone the player’s overall level or other incentives, players may find worth in stopping by the dojo for a couple of card battles.
Further, players reach a point in their battle through multiple NPC competitors where they are hard-locked. Splatoon 3 gives no indication of why or how to keep going, but once they reach Shiver on the list of Tableturf competitors, they must have made their way through Splatoon 3’s story mode.
The catalog may also not be everyone’s priority in terms of progression, though down the line there may be a sticker, food ticket, banner, locker decoration, or even a pack of Tableturf Battle cards that they might earn for free. Making progress in Tableturf Battle can be arduous if players do not truly love the card-battler, and adding incentives such as catalog progression would go a long way to making it more worthwhile for all Splatoon players.
Splatoon 3 is available now on Nintendo Switch.