Nintendo has never had much luck with online multiplayer. Not only do its consoles have multiplayer platforms that are years behind PlayStation Network and Xbox Live in terms of features, the only first-party online multiplayer game that it has that’s decent is Super Smash Bros. That all changed with the launch of Splatoon, however, and it looks like Nintendo may have finally created a successful online multiplayer game.
Later tonight Nintendo plans to add another ranked mode to Splatoon called Rainmaker. It essentially acts as a capture the flag mode in which players must find the rainmaker and carry it to the other team’s base. I’m sure the mode will be fun, but even more important is what it represents: Nintendo’s ongoing effort to support Splatoon and in turn its player base. Nintendo doesn’t have an extensive history with online games. In fact, I can’t think of many examples when it comes to online competitive multiplayer on a Nintendo console. The Wii featured far more local multiplayer games in an effort to appeal to broader audiences. The Wii U, on the other hand, lacks an extensive library in general. That’s why the buzz around Splatoon was so noteworthy – Nintendo was finally pursuing online multiplayer with its trademark novelty. You don’t see many shooters in which players use ink instead of bullets.