Do you need Nintendo online for Splatoon 2? - Living Gamers (2024)

Splatoon 2 is a popular third-person shooter game that’s available in single-player and multiplayer modes. Published by Nintendo specifically for the Nintendo Switch in 2017, this game sold more than 13.3 million copies around the world as of the first quarter of 2022. It sells more than its predecessors, making it one of the best-selling Nintendo Switch games.

Being a popular Nintendo game, you may be curious to know if you can play Splatoon 2 without Nintendo Switch online membership. After all, not all gamers are willing to spend extra for an online subscription which costs between $19.99 and $79.99 per year depending on the plan you get. Read on to find out.

Further reading:Nintendo Switch buying guide: Everything you need to know

What is Splatoon 2

Splatoon 2 is a sequel to Splatoon and the game follows the same ink-based shooting theme. However, Splatoon two has more new content including new stages, weapons, and a new horde mode known as Salmon Run.

Like its prequel, Splatoon 2 also focuses on online multiplayer battles where eight players are divided into two groups. Players can switch between their two main forms – humanoid form and squid form. With the humanoid form, a player can use weapons and spread and splatter inks at the opponents while in squid form, a player can swim through ink, climb walls and recharge a tank faster. Players can also use a wide variety of sub-weapons which makes the game even more competitive and fun such as Splat Bombs and Splashdowns.

Since its publication, Splatoon 2 continuously gained in popularity and has become massively successful, selling millions of copies worldwide.

It is worth mentioning that Splatoon 2 is available in different game modes, and depending on the game mode you choose, you may be able to play this game without a Nintendo Online subscription.

Splatoon 2 Online and Offline Modes

There are many ways to play Splatoon 2 and they can be divided into an online mode which requires a Nintendo Online subscription and offline mode which you can play without a subscription and Internet connection.

Online Modes

1. Turf War

This mode is perfect for beginners. While it is a competitive mode, the objective of the game is very simple, and that is to spread more ink than the opposing team within three minutes. You can win this mode if you cover the most ground!

2. Ranked and League Battles

Once you are familiar with the basics of Splatoon 2, you can then move to a more challenging mode which is the Ranked and League Battles. It is another online game that is only available to you when you reach a certain level. For Ranked Battles, you need to reach Level 10, and for League Battles, you need to reach B-rank or higher.

Both Ranked and League Battles allow you to gain more experience points, but you need to be extra careful because if your team is knocked out, you’ll get nothing.

3. Salmon Run

This mode is a fun co-op game for everyone and it is the most popular mode in Splatoon 2. In this mode, up to four players should work together to collect valuable Golden Eggs and fend off waves of Salmonids. The stages available change with every Salmon Run season, making the competition fresh every time.

Offline Mode

Hero Mode

Hero mode is a single-player challenge that will take you to Octo Canyon, a strange world of hidden lairs populated by Octarians. You will need to outwit every dreaded Octarian to rescue the Great Zapfish to restore power to Inkopolis Square. This offline game mode is a good opportunity to master the different weapons available in Octo Canyon and a way to get a glimpse of Splatoon 2 without Nintendo Online.

You may also like: Best Portable Monitor For Nintendo Switch

Related Questions

Can I play Splatoon 2 without a Nintendo Switch Online subscription?

It depends. Splatoon 2 is available in both offline and online modes. You can play the single-player Hero mode offline which means that you don’t need Nintendo Online membership to run it. But if you wish to play the online modes where all the fun and exciting gameplays are, you need an active subscription to Nintendo online services.

Is it worth it to get Splatoon 2 without playing online modes?

No, it is not worth it to get Splatoon 2 unless you play the online modes. There is only one offline mode for Splatoon 2 and it barely gives you half the gaming experience you can get out of the entire game. There is not much happening in the Hero mode and you can easily complete this game in about 7 hours if you have the Octo Expansion. If you want your money’s worth, you should also play the online modes.

How do I play Splatoon 2 online modes?

To play the online modes, you need one copy of the game software per console. You also need a stable internet connection and of course, a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.

Share this post: on Twitter on Facebook on Google+