The original Agent 3 becomes captain because Cap’n Cuttlefish retires from active duty and hands over the captain’s hat. The name is easy to mix up: in Splatoon 3, the veteran Agent 3 is the captain, while a separate, newly recruited character is also called Agent 3.
How the original Agent 3 became captain
In the first Splatoon, Cap’n Cuttlefish recruited a young Inkling as Agent 3 of the New Squidbeak Splatoon. Agent 3 helped rescue the missing Great Zapfish and confronted DJ Octavio, leader of the Octarian army. Nintendo’s story history recounts that mission, and its character guide identifies Agent 3 as an appointed member of the unit.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Splatoon 3 for Nintendo Switch [New Video Game] | $53.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Nintendo Splatoon 3 Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code] | $59.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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By the time of Splatoon 3, Cuttlefish has retired from active duty. In Nintendo’s September 23, 2021 announcement, the Squid Research Lab says he “passed on his captain’s hat to a brave new leader.” The successor is the original Agent 3. Nintendo establishes the handoff, but does not explain a formal selection process or give a more specific reason for choosing Agent 3.
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Splatoon 3 introduces a new recruit from Splatsville who is also designated Agent 3. This is not the veteran who inherited the captaincy. Nintendo’s official history of Splatoon 3 describes the Splatsville youth as a new Agent 3 recruited into the New Squidbeak Splatoon.
#1 Best Overall
- Splatoon 3
- New Video Game
| Character | Role in Splatoon 3 |
|---|---|
| Original Agent 3 | Veteran of the first game’s Great Zapfish mission; now captain after Cuttlefish’s retirement. |
| New Agent 3 | New Splatsville recruit and player character in the New Squidbeak Splatoon. |
Where to see the new Agent 3’s story
The single-player story mode, Return of the Mammalians, follows the new Agent 3 and the New Squidbeak Splatoon. Nintendo’s Splatoon 3 page identifies it as the game’s story mode.
Quick Recap
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
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