Splatoon 3 might be getting three new Salmon Run modes

News
By published

The PvE experience could be expanding in a big way

Splatoon 3
(Image credit: Nintendo)

Splatoon 3 might be getting a host of new modes within Salmon Run for the very first time.

Unveiled last week by Nintendo Switch dataminer OatmealDome on Twitter, various Splatoon 3 files reference new Salmon Run modes not yet in the game itself. These new modes are called "Pair," "Underground," and "Contest," each expanding on the horde mode in new ways.

From the wording of the tweet above, it sounds like the Underground mode is designed to be harder than your average Salmon Run experience. Players will have to obtain a bigger haul of Salmonid Eggs than usual - apparently needing three, five, and seven more eggs in each respective wave.

As for the Pair and Contest modes, there's much less information to go on right now from the in-game Splatoon 3 files. However, it's worth noting that both modes apparently make reference to their own exclusive pay grades and titles, meaning they should both come with new unlockable extras.

You'd be forgiven for assuming these are the first new modes to come to Salmon Run since it first debuted back in Splatoon 2. However, as Nintendo announced last month in a special Splatoon 3-dedicated Nintendo Direct, we've also got the new Big Run mode still to come at some point in the future.

All we know about this mode is that the Salmonids will invade Splatsville, and it'll occur every few months. Combining this with the three supposed new modes for Salmon Run, and it looks like the excellent PvE mode is bulking up in the near future.

In other recent news, Splatoon 3's online connections should have stabilized after a new patch was deployed last week. 

Hirun Cryer
Hirun Cryer
Freelance Writer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.