Splatoon 1 and 2 both had unique versions for each region. This was used to facilitate regional data delivery for things like Splatfests and matchmaking parameters. (Unfortunately, this also caused confusion when copies of regional versions “escaped” their intended areas.)

So, what does this mean? 1. You can buy any potential Splatoon 3 DLC from any region’s eShop. 2. You can play Splatoon 3 in any supported language (EN / JP / FR / etc), regardless of where your copy came from. 3. It remains to be seen how regional Splatfests work (if at all).

Also: If Nintendo continues the practice of distributing gear unlock codes as “DLC”, then yes, regional gear will no longer be a thing.

@OatmealDome @thomasnet_mc Does this mean that all Splatfests in Splatoon 3 (assuming there are any) will all be global?

@Subspaceking2 @thomasnet_mc Unknown at this point.

@OatmealDome Does this mean they've finally decided to lump all players from every region into a common global matchmaking server, especially during Splatfests?

@RealJanTheMan Matchmaking already occurs in a common server, though geolocation is used to ensure players close in distance (and therefore less likely to lag) are put together. Should regional Splatfests continue to be a thing, lobby segregation will still probably occur.

@OatmealDome @thomasnet_mc Does this mean every version of the game will have multiple logos on it? Or will they still ship out the games in the right region and language, but the game itself is all a single game?

@CheeseGoldBird @thomasnet_mc The data on the cartridge will be the same everywhere with every single language in the files. In terms of the cover, Hyrule Warriors might’ve been a unique case because of its subtitle. Splatoon 2 had one cover (minus rating logos etc) across Europe from what I remember.

@OatmealDome @thomasnet_mc How was this found and proven?

@OatmealDome NO MORE JAPANESE EXCLUSIVES AHHHH

@OatmealDome @thomasnet_mc Atleast I won’t be jealous about exclusive gear anymore.. I guess.

@OatmealDome omgggg thats cool

@OatmealDome This, and cloud backups support, just makes me so happy! Nintendo addressing these pain points gives me a lot of hope

@OatmealDome @thomasnet_mc Saying this made my day is an understatement, this made my whole damn year! No more JP exclusive gear, gear codes for everyone!

@OatmealDome next time people want me to practice Spanish I can just change the language on my Splatoon and force myself to practice 😂 (THIS IS A REALLY GOOD CHANGE THOUGH!!)

@OatmealDome @thomasnet_mc HELL YES!! So glad to know that gear won’t be region exclusive :)) the Japanese gear in S2 was so cool!

@OatmealDome @thomasnet_mc Thank god nintendo finally got a brain

@OatmealDome @thomasnet_mc Sweet so no more exclusive gears from different regions.