Nintendo Switch owners will get a free preview of Splatoon 2 in late March, Nintendo announced in the middle of the night. The game is due to launch this summer.
Billed it as a "Global Testfire," the preview runs March 24 to 26, but the playtime is limited to one-hour windows on each day. Here they are (all times ET):
- Friday, March 24: 3 to 3:59 p.m. and 11 to 11:59 p.m.
- Saturday, March 25: 7 to 7:59 a.m., 3 to 3:59 p.m. and 11 to 11:59 p.m.
- Sunday, March 26: 7 to 7:59 a.m.
The Nintendo Switch launches March 3.
Nintendo said the preview will allow players to test four weapons, among them remixed versions of the Splat Roller and Splat Charger and the new Splat Dualies.
Splatoon 2 will also have a spectator mode and LAN play support for up to 10 docked systems on a wired LAN. "Local wireless play is perfect for your regular gaming get-togethers, but LAN Play is where it’s at when you want to organize a serious tournament event with your fellow players," Nintendo said in a statement.
Furthermore, Splatoon 2 will be compatible with Splatoon’s amiibo through a forthcoming app for smart devices. The app offers other social features for connecting to friends and voice chat with them both before and during a match.
Splatoon 2, the sequel to the Wii U's colorful shooter (using paint for live ammo) that launched in 2015, was confirmed at the January Nintendo Switch event.
