Splatoon 3 s next big event will settle the most contentious Poké mon debate of all TechRadar Skip to main content TechRadar is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's why you can trust us. Splatoon 3 s next big event will settle the most contentious Poké mon debate of all By Cat Bussell published 7 October 2022 Triple threat (Image credit: Nintendo) Audio player loading… Do you want to be the very best, like no one ever was? You're in luck, because Splatoon 3 is giving you a brand new opportunity to do just that in its latest event: a Pokémon themed Splatfest. A Splatfest is a special event in Splatoon 3 where you pick one of three teams to join before jumping into a PvP bonanza. Last time, you had to choose between Gear, Food and Fun if stranded on a desert island – a paltry choice compared to what's in store. In the next Splatfest, you'll need to choose between Fire, Water, and Grass type Pokémon. Finally, years of playground arguments will be settled in the inky crucible of splat-based conflict. If you're new to the classic Nintendo Switch team-based third-person shooter, this Pokémon Scarlet and Violet tie-in event will give you a great opportunity to get stuck in. Starting November 11 at 4pm PT/ 12am GMT / 10am ACT and finishing on November 13 at the same time, the event is chocked full of special rewards. You'll need to get as much Splatoon 3 Weapons practice as possible if you want to lead your chosen type to victory come November. Your real test (Image credit: Nintendo) There's no denying it: this is a seriously strong contender of the best Splatfest topic of all time. Yes, Rock vs. Scissors vs. Paper was a strong start as Splatoon 3's inaugural Splatfest, and Chaos vs. Order will always be iconic, but it has to be said that Pokémon types make for a truly special Splatfest experience. It is telling that the Pokémon starter-type trifecta has been unchanging for all of these years. Though the Splatfest is clearly centered around Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's starters, the old Bulbasaur-Charmander-Squirtle conflict remains as alive and well today as it ever did. These are old battles, fought by old soldiers. (Image credit: Nintendo) Troopers who first enlisted as tweens on playgrounds are now adults with full-time jobs. Some are accountants, others are salespeople, and some, Arceus help them, are video game journalists. Despite staring down the barrel of 30, I will climb the hill and declare, boldly, that Bulbasaur is my perfect plant boy, and that grass types are the best. The fact that Splatoon 3 is tapping into such an old and iconic debate for its second Splatfest speaks to just how the community is doing. Online multiplayer games from Final Fantasy 14 to Overwatch 2 live or die based on the quality of their community engagement. By getting stuck into this kind of contentious and deeply rooted Pokémon debate, Splatoon 3 is showing that it is not only alive but thriving.Looking for more great Nintendo Switch games? Check out our list of the very best, right here. Cat BussellStaff WriterCat Bussell is a Staff Writer at TechRadar Gaming. Hailing from the crooked spires of London, Cat is an experienced writer and journalist. As seen on Wargamer.com, TheGamer.com, and Superjumpmagazine.com, Cat is here to bring you coverage from all corners of the video game world. An inveterate RPG maven and strategy game enjoyer, Cat is known for her love of rich narratives; both story-driven and emergent. Before migrating to the green pastures of games journalism, Cat worked as a political advisor and academic. She has three degrees and has studied and worked at Cambridge University, University College London, and Queen Mary University of London. She's also been an art gallery curator, an ice cream maker, and a cocktail mixologist. This crash course in NPC lifestyles uniquely qualifies her to pick apart only the juiciest video games for your reading pleasure. Cat cut her teeth on MMOs in the heyday of World of Warcraft before giving in to her love of JRPGs and becoming embedded in Final Fantasy XIV. When she's not doing that, you might find her running a tabletop RPG or two, perhaps even voluntarily. See more Gaming news TechRadar Newsletter Sign up to get breaking news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more, plus the hottest tech deals! Thank you for signing up to TechRadar. You will receive a verification email shortly. There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again. MOST POPULARMOST SHARED1You may not have to sell a body part to afford the Nvidia RTX 4090 after all2My days as a helpful meat shield are over, thanks to the Killer Klown horror game3I tried the weirdest-looking Bluetooth speaker in the world, and I utterly adore it4It looks like Fallout's spiritual successor is getting a PS5 remaster5One of the world's most popular programming languages is coming to Linux1We finally know what 'Wi-Fi' stands for - and it's not what you think2Best laptops for designers and coders 3The iPhone 14 Pro is made of the wrong stuff; the Pixel 7 proves that to me4Miofive 4K Dash Cam review5Logitech's latest webcam and headset want to relieve your work day frustrations Technology Magazines (opens in new tab)● (opens in new tab)The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviewsFrom$12.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)