Splatoon 3 takes over Xenoblade’s September release date

Nintendo is launching Splatoon 3 for Switch on September 9. This gets the game out just before the fall equinox, which means that the publisher was able to make the summer release window it promised fans last year. For Nintendo, which is facing some criticism for its treatment of contract employees, this ensures the Switch will have a major release just before the holiday season.

Of course, it seems likely that Splatoon 3 was due out earlier in the summer. Earlier this week, Nintendo moved up the release date of Xenoblade Chronicles 3. That game is coming July 29. Nintendo originally planned to launch it in September. It seems likely that Nintendo swapped those games to give Splatoon 3 extra development time.