Splatoon 2

There's a lot to love in Nintendo's second iteration of its quirky shooter, especially the way Splatoon 2 emphasizes splatting the ground just as much as it does inking your opponents.

Splatoon 2 is a fresh, vibrant sequel that introduces smart updates to the original's unique formula.

An improvement in nearly every way on one of Nintendo's finest games in years, Splatoon 2 is only let down by a lack of big new ideas.

What the first Splatoon did well is still built into the sequel's barnacle-encrusted DNA, and now it's on a system that you can stuff in your bag or play on the couch. It's baffling that Splatoon 2's best feature is held back by a frustrating lack of proper online support, and in many ways, it's the same game with some new tricks. But there are still enough imaginative additions for anyone who played the first game to death, especially via its strange, captivating supporting cast. It may be much more of the same, but the same is still pretty fresh.

Splatoon 2's formula no longer feels original, but it looks great, its controls are tight, and there's enough variety to give you dozens of hours of multiplayer fun.

Splatoon 2 offers a strong stable of content demonstrating familiar fun that newcomers and old fans should check out

It might have some odd quirks, but this shooter in which you spray everything you see in DayGlo colours makes up for it in fun

Nintendo doesn't do simple, straightforward sequels all that often, but this time it has.

If you're the type of person who tried Splatoon for a little while and gave up, Nintendo hasn't done a whole lot to change your mind outside of adding a horde mode. But with more concessions for higher-level play and a deeper meta, veterans will be jumping ship from Wii U to Switch in an instant. Here's hoping that Splatoon 2 gets even more long-term support and Salmon Run is free of the shackles of a "once in a while" event for those of you who don't have multiple Switches at your disposal.

For players who enjoyed the first game, Splatoon 2 is not a reinvention, but it doesn't have to be. It adds here and there, retaining what was best about the cheerful original while giving it a graphical upgrade and portability. Splatoon 2, at its best, is still Nintendo with confidence and flair.