Make a Mess (Without the Clean-Up!) – Splatoon for Nintendo Wii U

~ Disclosure: We were invited to an event to preview Splatoon. All opinions are our own.

I’ve loved Nintendo since getting my first Nintendo NES as a child in the 1990s. Games like Super Mario Bros., Mario Kart, and Donkey Kong Country were favorites of mine growing up.

Games today have changed dramatically – sometimes the enhanced level of graphics and 3D capabilities just blow my mind, and I can’t help but think back to the simpler days of warping through pipes and rescuing Princess Toad from Bowser’s Castle.

One element that is prevalent in many of today’s video games that I am not impressed by is the level of violence. I hate seeing games where the main goal is to injure or kill your opponent. That’s why I was so excited to discover Splatoon for Nintendo’s Wii U – a family-friendly game that still involves a battle of sorts – paint!

Splatoon allows players to splatter enemies with paint and claim their turf as the ink-spewing, squid-like characters called Inklings in this new, third-person action shooter game for the Wii U console.

Players can play solo, or challenge others online in 4-on-4 “turf wars” and unleash squid powers to ink their way to victory! This was our favorite way to play the game – you have a sense of how much “turf” your paint color has taken over on the Wii U GamePad, and you can engage tricks such as turning into a squid to move at super-speed, refill ink tanks, and hide from opponents – so you can really cover your territory! A player can splatter you, sending you back to the main point of entry, where you can choose a teammate to help cover some of that lost ground with paint!

There is also a local 2-player option in which 1 player uses the Wii U GamePad controller, and another would play on the TV using a different controller.

A Splatoon series amiibo character (Inkling Girl, Inkling Boy, or Inkling Squid) allows you to access new challenges, and in-game coins can be used to obtain different styles of inking and firepower.

This is a game that both kids and parents can enjoy, so it’s the perfect video game to unite around as a family. We had a LOT of fun playing Splatoon and highly recommend it as a game to try with your children!

Splatoon for the WiiU console is ideal for players 10 years of age and above and is available at a suggested retail price of $59.99.

Featured Photo: Shutterstock

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