Choose Ninjala for Ninja-Gum-powered movement and battles scored through eliminations, pickups, drones, and finishing moves. Choose Splatoon 3 for ink-based movement, turf control, rotating objective battles, cooperative Salmon Run, and a solo campaign. Both are Nintendo Switch multiplayer action games, but their team modes ask players to do different things to win.
How do Ninjala and Splatoon 3 play differently?
Ninjala: move, craft, and score with Ninja-Gum
Ninjala builds its action around Ninja-Gum. Players use it to blow bubbles at opponents, craft weapons, and dash through stages; the gum type affects weapon appearance and variety. Nintendo UK describes its battle royale-style matches as supporting up to eight players. Players earn points by defeating opponents, collecting items, and destroying drones, while finishing techniques called IPPON can award extra points. The game also offers 4-on-4 team battles and avatar customization with costumes and fashion-brand accessories. (Nintendo UK’s Ninjala listing.)
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![Splatoon 3 for Nintendo Switch [New Video Game]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51VL+lL0kCL._SL160_.jpg)
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Splatoon 3 for Nintendo Switch [New Video Game] | $53.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![Nintendo Splatoon 3 Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51zHPKJCuyL._SL160_.jpg)
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Nintendo Splatoon 3 Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code] | $59.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Splatoon™ Raiders | $59.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Splatoon 3: use ink to fight and move
In Splatoon 3, ink is both a weapon and a way to travel. Players can swim through ink in their team’s color, move quickly, climb inked walls, and refill their ink tank. In Turf War, teams compete to cover more ground in their color. Anarchy Battles rotate among objective rules such as Splat Zones, Tower Control, Rainmaker, and Clam Blitz. (Nintendo’s Splatoon 3 gameplay guide.)
What are the main modes and ways to play?
| What you want to play | Ninjala | Splatoon 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Competitive matches | Battle royale-style scoring for up to eight players, plus 4-on-4 team battles. Points come from defeating opponents, collecting items, destroying drones, and earning IPPON finishes. | Four-versus-four Turf War focuses on covering territory. Anarchy Battles use rotating objective rules, including Splat Zones, Tower Control, Rainmaker, and Clam Blitz. |
| Co-op | 4-on-4 team battles. | Salmon Run is four-player co-op against waves of Salmonids. |
| Other listed activities | Avatar customization with costumes and fashion-brand accessories. | Solo Return of the Mammalians campaign, Tableturf Battle, Splatfest events, Big Run, and challenges. |
| Platform in the cited listings | Nintendo Switch download software. | Nintendo Switch game. |
The shared presence of team battles does not make the games’ objectives interchangeable: Ninjala’s listing emphasizes point scoring through actions and pickups, while Splatoon 3 offers territory coverage, objective-based battles, and survival against enemy waves. Nintendo’s gameplay guide and Splatoon 3 product page also describe its additional modes and activities.
#1 Best Overall
- Splatoon 3
- New Video Game
What do you need to play multiplayer with friends?
Splatoon 3: no split-screen
Nintendo Support states: “Split-screen multiplayer is not available.” Each Splatoon 3 multiplayer player needs their own Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch and copy of the game. For online features, Nintendo’s product listing says a Nintendo Account and paid Nintendo Switch Online membership are required. Check Nintendo’s current support page for applicable online service terms and mode details.
Splatoon 3 local wireless and LAN limits
Nintendo Support lists local wireless play for two to eight players in Private Battle and Salmon Run. Its LAN guidance lists two to ten players for Private Battle or Salmon Run, with spectators possible above eight in Private Battles; Salmon Run itself is limited to four players. These are connection- and mode-specific limits, not a general player count for every match. See Nintendo Support’s multiplayer setup instructions for details.
Rank #2
- Ink it up with a new entry in the Splatoon series
- Discover the Splatlands, a new sun-soaked region with trendsetting inhabitants
- Experiment with new styles for Inklings and Octolings
- 4v4 Turf Wars* are back, with new stages, new maneuvers, and new weapons
- Join Agent 3 in a fight against the unruly Octarians in story mode
Ninjala controller note
The reviewed Nintendo UK listing says multiplayer requires a compatible controller per player. It does not establish the same specific system-and-copy requirements described on Nintendo Support’s Splatoon 3 page, so check the game’s current setup information for the way you plan to connect.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which game should you choose?
- Pick Ninjala if Ninja-Gum abilities, weapon variety, dashing, and action-focused point scoring sound more appealing.
- Pick Splatoon 3 if you want ink-based movement and a mix of turf control, rotating objectives, co-op waves, and a solo story campaign.
- For local group play, plan the setup first. Splatoon 3 has no split-screen, and its local wireless and LAN player limits depend on mode and connection type.
Ninjala’s Nintendo UK listing gives its release date as June 24, 2020; Nintendo’s US Splatoon 3 listing gives September 9, 2022. Those dates identify when the games were released, not whether online services, events, or updates are active now. Availability and online details can change by region and over time.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
- Splat scores of enemies and hunt for treasure in a single-player focused action shooter
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
