Splatoon received positive reviews upon its unveiling and release, with critics praising Nintendo's decision to enter the genre with a new franchise, the game's overall style and presentation, gameplay mechanics, and its soundtrack.
Splatoon fik positiv modtagelse ved spillets afsløring og lancering, hvor kritikere roste Nintendos afgørelse om at træde ind i en ny genre inden computerspil, spillets overordnede stil og præsentation, spilmekanikerne og dets lydspor.