Splatoon modes and offline play after online closure
Choose between today’s offline features and historical multiplayer rules.
Edition covered
Original 2015 Wii U Splatoon. Official online play ended in April 2024; Hero Mode and local Battle Dojo remain offline features. Multiplayer weapons and modes are described as an original-game reference. Salmon Run, dualies and later-game movement abilities are outside this edition.
Hero Mode remains a solo adventure
Octo Valley’s stages and bosses run offline. The campaign is the main complete progression path available without Nintendo’s discontinued matchmaking service.
| Activity | Players | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Hero Mode | One | Base Wii U game |
| Battle Dojo | Two | GamePad, TV and supported second controller |
| Campaign replays | One | A reached campaign stage |
| Amiibo challenges | One | Compatible original-game amiibo |
| Campaign collection cleanup | One | Search unlocked stages for missed scrolls |
Battle Dojo supports two local players
One player uses the GamePad screen and the other uses the TV. Burst balloons to score; this mode is not a split-screen recreation of four-versus-four Turf War.
| Mode | Original objective | Service status |
|---|---|---|
| Turf War | Cover more ground with team ink | Official online play ended |
| Splat Zones | Control marked zones | Official online play ended |
| Tower Control | Escort the moving tower | Official online play ended |
| Rainmaker | Carry the Rainmaker toward the goal | Official online play ended |
| Splatfest | Compete for a chosen festival side | Original events and online service ended |
Online modes are historical references
Turf War and Ranked Battle depended on official online play, which ended in April 2024. Their rules are useful for understanding the original game, but are not instructions for joining a current Nintendo lobby.
Set up the second controller in the Dojo
Enter Battle Dojo, register player two and choose weapons and a stage. Each player needs a supported control setup; the GamePad and TV display different views.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Nintendo original Splatoon manual | www.nintendo.com |
| Nintendo: local Battle Dojo setup | en-americas-support.nintendo.com |
| Detailed topic reference | en-americas-support.nintendo.com |
| Original Splatoon game reference | splatoonwiki.org |