New Splatoon 2 Stages, Arms Character Announced

Fresh updates for both games.

By MattDavidson

Nintendo has announced new additions to two of its Switch exclusives.

Paint-em-up Splatoon 2 is getting two new stages. The first, Manta Maria, launches this weekend, and consists of an enormous sailing boat which will play host to battles in both Turf War and Ranked Battle stages. Meanwhile, a new stage known as Lost Outpost—a heavily-walled area abandoned due to rising seawater—will become available as a Salmon Run stage both in local multiplayer and online later today.

In addition, a new weapon has been announced—the Bubble Blower, which can produce up to three huge bubbles which can be used either defensively, absorbing enemy fire, or offensively, by dousing in your own team's ink and triggering an explosion. The Bubble Blower will be available first in a set with the Forge Splattershot Pro, starting September 1.

Meanwhile, over in the world of Switch's brawler Arms, a brand new character is making an arrival in the game's next update.

Lola Pop is a street-performing clown with the unique ability to inflate her body like a balloon, providing defensive opportunities alongside her devastating punches. She'll also bring with her a new candy-themed arena. Both Lola and the arena will be launching alongside Arms' upcoming Ver. 3 update, which is set to arrive sometime soon.

For anyone who hasn't yet bought a copy of Arms and feels like giving it a try, Nintendo is holding a free trial this weekend. From Friday, August 25 at 8 a.m. PT/11 a.m. ET/4 p.m. UK (Saturday, August 26 at 1a .m. AET) to Sunday, August 27 at 2 p.m. PT/5 p.m. ET/10 p.m. UK (Monday, August 28 at 7 a.m. AET), Switch players can dive into the upcoming Global Testpunch.

We're big fans of both games. We praised both the "crazy and clever co-op" of Splatoon 2 and the "wacky appendages" of Arms. By the looks of these update plans, there's plenty of life in both games yet.

Matt Davidson is a freelance writer from IGN, who never imagined, growing up, that he would one day write the words "the Forge Splattershot Pro will be the first weapon set to feature the Bubble Blower". Look for him over on Twitter.

Let's block ads! (Why?)