Splatoon is a third-person shooter set in a colour world where players control Inklings , characters that run around and shoot ink with a gun but can also transform into a squid to traverse through the ink. The game is controlled through the Wii U GamePad with the left analog stick for movement. Next to regular means to aim, gyroscopic motion control, by tilting the device, is supported with the right analog stick to look left or right and the triggers to shoot with a machine-gun like weapon and throw large bombs.
The gameplay revolves around shooting ink colours that colour the environment, allowing players to traverse quickly as a squid. In squid form, the character cannot shoot but moves quicker, can hide, and can also scale vertical surfaces and swim through grates. Enemies shoot ink in a different colour that covers the environment, slowing down characters in regular form. Players need to counter this by painting it over with their own colour. There is a limited amount of health that can be regenerated by seeking cover.
The game takes place in Inkopolis , which acts as a main hub offering access to different types of battles and characters that offer improved weapons and gear for aesthetic customization. The single-player campaign, led by Cap'n Cuttlefish, involves retrieving the Zapfish from the Octarians through a series of levels completed by reaching the end. Local one-on-one multiplayer matches are available in the Battle Dojo, while online multiplayer games feature regular and ranked battles with Turf War and Splat Zones modes.
Splatoon also features local co-op play for up to four players, as well as special events that appear at random. The game incorporates the Miiverse to post messages that appear in-game as graffiti on walls. Additional content can be unlocked through Amiibo figures, which sets additional missions and bonus equipment.