The splatoon franchise is a lot of things, although few would describe it as 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 built for younger Nintendo fans. Splatoon 3 continues the successful legacy of the squid kids in chaotic Splatsville, and this year looks set to keep the fortress afloat in the absence of Nintendo’s biggest franchises.
That’s not to say the classics have been left behind. While it’s unclear what’s happening to Mario right now, aside from his upcoming animated movie and Rabbids-directed spin-off, Splatoon 3 has ensured that he is still relevant in the minds of the public. The game hides some surprising references to Mario‘s 3D efforts, most of which are dripping with reverence for the older games. Super Mario Sunshine and the Super Mario Galaxy titles seem to be a specific target of worship, although explain how discussing SPOILERS FOR SPLATONE 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 up toxic paint, while the other spraying paint everywhere while cleaning up other messes. It doesn’t take much inspection to imagine that the main developers of the splatoon trilogy played a lot Mario Sunshine a few decades earlier. Even the two settings bear some resemblance, with the lively vacation spot of Isle Delfino serving as a good comparison to the various colorful towns, arenas and levels across splatoon.
However, after years of this comparison in the mind of many players, Splatoon 3 has finally recognized it in a big way. Three of the new Hero Mode’s boss fights are against the band Deep Cut, and the third against the manta ray Big Man. Contrary to 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 connected the dots yet are quickly informed by a subtitle that this is a reference to the infamous Manta Storm level of Super Mario Sunshine. The fact that Phantamanta has been converted into a popular splatoon character almost feels like a bull’s eye by the developers, but anyway, Sunshine fans are thrilled to see this unique battle recreated in another game – just a lot easier.
Splatoon 3 takes inspiration from Super Mario Galaxy
While the fight against Big Man is a clear tribute to Mario Sunshine‘s Phantamanta fight, Splatoon 3‘s left with Super Mario Galaxy are less visible. Splatoon 3 does introduce a small assistant Salmonid about the size of Mario’s Luma, but they serve very different gameplay roles. looks little like Mario Galaxy until the player reaches Splatoon 3final confrontation with Mr. Grizzly in space. It’s not far from Earth, but the first stage of the battle does have a rotating platform that reminds of some of Mario Galaxygravity shenanigans. It also ends with a flight segment against a giant burly villain, somewhat reminiscent of Bowser’s last fight in Super Mario Galaxy 2.
The Mario Galaxy equations really gain momentum once a player is done Splatoon 3‘s Hero mode. After each level is defeated, a final secret kettle is unlocked, giving the player an ultimate test of his skills. It’s unlocked the same way Milky Way 1‘s Grand Finale Galaxy and Milky Way 2‘s Grandmaster Galaxy, the latter of which started the tradition of a monstrously difficult level that appeared after completing a 3D Mario game. Splatoon 3 even shares the multi-segment structure of Grandmaster Galaxy without checkpoints and the freedom Splatoon 3 offers with selecting different levels parallels how Mario Galaxy often lets players choose which stars they want. It’s heartwarming to see one of Nintendo’s newest franchises learn from one of its oldest, and hopefully this love and appreciation for Mario games continue as splatoon shoots to ever greater heights.
Splatoon 3 is now available on Nintendo Switch.
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