Lobby

For the song, see Inkopolis Lobby.

The lobby is a location from which the player accesses online modes in the Splatoon series. In Splatoon and Splatoon 2, it is functionally a selection screen where players can choose a type of battle mode to play. Its functionality is expanded in Splatoon 3, in which it is an area the player can move around in and also has other features besides playing online battles.

The player can access the lobby by entering a tower in the main hub: Inkopolis Tower in Inkopolis Plaza (in Splatoon and Splatoon 3), Deca Tower in Inkopolis Square (in Splatoon 2 and Splatoon 3), or the lobby tower in Splatsville (in Splatoon 3). Alternatively, the lobby can be entered by selecting "Lobby" on the map (in Splatoon) or in the menu after pressing (in Splatoon 2 and Splatoon 3).

Splatoon

To enter the lobby in Splatoon, the player must enter Inkopolis Tower.

Options

Upon entering the tower, the player is presented with five different connection options to choose from. These options are Squad Battle, Ranked Battle, Regular Battle, Join Friends, and Private Battle. Selecting any of these options allows players to join online or create lobbies. A sixth option, recon, is also available, although it does not connect players to online lobbies.

Squad Battle

Squad Battles allow players to join Ranked Battles. However, unlike the Ranked Battle option, this allows any two to four friends to form a squad to battle in ranked matches against another squad. If a squad is comprised of only two players, it is paired up with another two-player squad to form a team of four against four other players. If a squad only has three players in it, it can be put in a 3v3 or 3v4 battle. Four-player squads can be put up against three- or four-player squads. Players' ranks go up and down as they win and lose until they reach either of the "S" ranks. The matches are played on either of the two stages in the rotation and with the mode currently in the rotation for normal Ranked Battles. Unlike other online modes, players can change their weapons and gear before matches and can leave the lobby at any time.

This mode was succeeded by League Battle mode in Splatoon 2.

Ranked Battle

This option allows players to join Ranked Battles with players around the world as a random online version of Squad Battles. This mode has a ranking system that groups players of similar skills together in a battle. This mode is more competitive as teams get significantly more Battle Points and Cash upon winning a battle. The players' ranks are also negatively affected by a loss, making winning an even bigger priority in these battles. Due to this competitiveness, players cannot join their friends in this mode. There are three potential modes in Ranked Battles: Splat Zones, Tower Control, and Rainmaker.

This mode returns in Splatoon 2, acting identically to how it did in the first game. Additionally, one extra mode was added, in the form of Clam Blitz. In Splatoon 3, the mode was succeeded by Anarchy Battle.

Regular Battle

This option allows the player to join non-ranked online battles with all players around the world. These battles are for more casual play and both the winning and losing teams get rewards at the end of each battle. The only mode in Regular Battles is Turf War, Splatoon's main mode.

This mode returns in Splatoon 2, acting identically to how it did in the first game.

Join Friends

This option also allows players to join turf wars or ranked battles (although this can also be done in league battles). However, rather than joining a game with random players from around the world, it instead allows players to join any friend who is currently playing in a Regular Battle. If the friend is joinable, upon selecting their name, the player has to wait in a loading screen until their friend's match is over before being able to join. After the results screen is finished, and if one of the eight slots opens up in the friend's lobby, the player can then join them. It should be noted that this option does not guarantee that the two friends are put on the same team.

This mode returns in Splatoon 2 and Splatoon 3, acting identically to how it did in the first game.

Private Battle

Private Battles allow players to create a custom lobby that friends can join. The host of the lobby can change several different factors of the match, including which mode is played and which stage is played on. The host can also decide which players can go on each team. The team match-ups can range from any combination of one to four players. Players' ranks and levels are not affected in these battles. However, like Squad Battles, players can change their weapons and gear before the match, and any player can disconnect from the lobby at any time.

This mode returns in Splatoon 2. In addition to the eight players in each battle, there can now be up to two additional spectators added to the lobby. The host can also set a password for the lobby.

Recon

Recon, accessible by pressing while in the lobby, allows the player to freely explore any of the stages currently in the rotation for Regular Battles, Ranked Battles, and League Battles before going into an online lobby. This mode is useful for finding vantage points on a stage or getting used to a new stage in rotation. If the player does recon on any stage currently in the rotation for Ranked Battles, the Tower, Splat Zones, and Rainmaker will also be on the stage (along with any changes to the stage layout), depending on which mode is currently in rotation.

This mode returns in Splatoon 2, acting identically to how it did in the first game. With the addition of Clam Blitz, clams and the clam basket can appear on the stage as well.

Splatoon 2

To enter the lobby in Splatoon 2, the player must enter Deca Tower.

Options

Upon entering Deca Tower, the player is presented with six different connection options to choose from. These options are League Battle, Ranked Battle, Regular Battle, Join Friends, Private Battle, and Online Lounge. Selecting any of these options allows players to join online or create lobbies. A seventh option, Recon, is also available, although it does not connect players to online lobbies.

League Battle

League Battles allow players to join Ranked Battles. As the replacement for Squad Battles, it acts very similarly; rather than having eight random people from around the world join the lobby, this option instead allows any two or four friends to form a squad to battle in ranked matches against another squad. If a squad is comprised of only two players, it is paired up with another two-player squad which is put up against four other players. Four-player squads can only be put up against other four-player squads. Players' ranks are not affected. The matches are played on either of the two stages and the mode in rotation. Unlike other connection options, players can leave the lobby at any time.

Online Lounge

The Online Lounge allowed players to use the Nintendo Switch Online app to voice chat while playing the game. This option was discontinued on 28 July 2021, making it no longer playable.

Splatoon 3

Lobby tower

The lobby tower is the tower containing the lobby in Splatsville in Splatoon 3. It does not have an official name.

Appearance

The tower has a rounded, modern design. Three large screens are wrapped around the entire tower. The screens showcase the signature colors of, from left to right, Big Man, Frye, and Shiver. The walls not covered by the screens are made of glass, with patterns on the inside. In total, there are four steps leading up to the lobby, three leading up to a platform, one leading up to the entrance. The entrance is a clear automatic door, which opens when the player walks up the three steps leading to the platform. The inside is decorated with reflective glass, with the center being the entrance to the lobby. The door to the lobby has a white Turf War logo on it.

Other lobby towers

In Splatoon 3: Expansion Pass, Inkopolis Tower and Deca Tower return in Inkopolis Plaza and Inkopolis Square, respectively, and are used to access the lobby from those hubs. Their lobbies are identical to that of Splatsville's, though the music rotation is slightly different.

Options

Once the player enters the tower, the player will be able to access the online competitive modes: Join Friends, Tableturf Battle, Private Battle, Challenge, Turf War, and Anarchy Battle. Selecting any of these options allows players to join online or create lobbies. Unlike in previous games, recon is not a feature of the lobby, instead being an offline feature accessed by talking to the Recon Guide in the main hub.

Tableturf Battle

This option allows players to join lobbies or create lobbies for player-versus-player Tableturf Battle. After a game, points are added to the player's Tableturf Rank based on how many spaces they inked.

Challenge

Challenge is a temporary game mode, similar to how Salmon Run is scheduled in Splatoon 2, that replaces Splatoon 2's League Battle. Challenges are competitions with unique conditions for the players. Challenges take place on different modes, with some taking place in Anarchy Battle game modes and others on Turf War. Winning five challenges awards the player with Shell-Out Machine Tokens for free rolls.

Anarchy Battle

Anarchy Battle is the successor to Splatoon and Splatoon 2's Ranked Battle. The mode uses a ranking system that groups players of the same level together for battles. Players earn more for winning than they do losing, and losses given more severe penalties than in other modes.

In Splatoon 3, Anarchy Battle has two versions, Open and Series. Series Battle is similar to Ranked Battle, and can only be played solo. Players pay rank points to enter a series of games; if they can win five before losing three, they will earn a large sum of points that count towards their Anarchy rank. If the player loses before then, they are given a smaller sum of points that typically results in a net loss.

Open Battle is a less competitive version of Series Battle. Players are still ranked, but play one game instead, and are given points depending on whether they won. Unlike Series, Open Battle can be joined by friends.

The game modes in Anarchy Battle are the same in Splatoon 2: Splat Zones, Tower Control, Rainmaker, and Clam Blitz.

X Battle

X Battle is the successor to Splatoon 2's X Rank. Similar to Anarchy Battle (Series), the player is entered into a series in which the player must win a certain number of games. Additionally, it uses X Power, similar to Splatoon 2. However, instead of being a separate rank, the player only has to be in S+0 or higher to unlock X Battles.

The player must complete five placement matches to determine their initial X Power, halving the amount from Splatoon 2. Unlike Anarchy Series, the player only needs to win three matches instead of five. The player either gains or loses points of their X Power depending on the outcome of the series.

X Battles are separated into two divisions, each sponsored by a gear brand:

• Takoroka Division covers players from Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand
• Tentatek Division covers players from North America, South America, and Europe

Players choose their division the first time they play X Battles in a given season, and are unable to change the division until the next season.

Lobby mechanics

“	Welcome to the lobby! It's your portal to online battles... and where you stash all your gear. As you splat forth in online battles, you'll level up and earn cash, to boot. Why level up and get cash? So you can access and afford the freshest gear in Splatsville! And some battle modes are restricted to players at a higher level too. So get that level up!	”
— In-game description

Unique to Splatoon 3, the lobby is now a physical area inside the towers that the player can walk around in. The lobby houses a test range where players can practice while queuing for a match, the locker room, and the Crab-N-Go, where players can purchase food and drinks. Anyone on the player's friends list can be found inside near the exit, where each friend is represented as a ghost. Players can interact with these ghosts and use them to join their friends in an online battle. Anyone queued for battle alongside the player will also be represented as a ghost to said player, with their actions in the test range being displayed in real-time. Additionally, as of version 3.0.0, the player can join Pools that allow them to coordinate with specific groups from the lobby menu.

At the back right of the test range area, there is the Copy Machine. On the inkable wall to the left of the machine is a drawing of the lobby layout.

The lobby has an upstairs café area accessible by walking up the staircase next to the terminal. Once a player steps on the staircase, their weapons and specials are removed until they re-enter the ground floor of the lobby. Additionally, the player's user interface is changed, displaying their level, cash, Anarchy Battle rank, amount of Super Sea Snails, and any experience or cash boosts they may have active. A jellyfish referred to simply as Cool Jelly in Tableturf Battle is seen attending the café counter, stocked with miscellaneous café items such as coffee machines, mugs, and bean bags. On the same floor, there are five arcade-like machines used for accessing online Tableturf Battles. A studio is visible in this area operated by two jellyfish, one being the Aggro Jelly seen in Tableturf Battle.

Beneath the café is the locker room. To get to the locker room, the player must be level 4 or higher and simply walk up to the sliding doors, which will open just as the player gets to them. The sliding doors remain blacked out at a distance and before the player hits level 4. Once inside, the player can view their own locker, edit it if they so desire, and view the lockers of players they have recently played with, as well as a random selection of highly 'Fresh' rated lockers.

As of version 3.0.0, there is a jukebox near the Crab-N-Go, replacing one of the vending machines. Players can use it to change the background music in the lobby to a song of their choice. Certain songs must be unlocked by hearing them in the game before they can be selected. Selecting a new song in a Private Battle room also sets it to play in the lobbies of other players in that room.

Lobbies

Lobbies are the areas where players wait for battles to begin. Once a player joins a lobby after selecting any of the options listed above, they cannot leave or change their weapon or gear, unless it is a Private Battle.

Before a battle

When the player selects one of the connection options, Nintendo's matchmaking service finds a lobby for the player to join. If there is no joinable lobby for the option the player selected, they are placed in a waiting screen with a timer that shows when the first joinable lobby will become available. Upon joining a lobby, the player must sit on a lobby screen until the battle begins. This screen displays eight slots on the right of the screen, each of which fills up as players join the lobby. The screen also displays several other things, including:

• The names of the players currently in the lobby, their Levels, and their rank, if in a Ranked Battle.
• The current mode and stages.
• The player's vibe meter or Splatfest Power during a Splatfest as well as their amount of cash.
• A countdown in the upper-left corner of the screen. If this countdown reaches zero before eight players have joined the lobby, everyone in the lobby is disconnected.

While waiting for the battle to start, as well as while waiting to join a lobby, the player can play a minigame on the by pressing . Squid Jump is the only minigame available from the start, but more minigames can be unlocked by playing through amiibo challenges. Once eight players have joined the lobby, the screen will display "BATTLE TIME!" in the North American version of the game, and "Let Battle Commence!" in the European version. Then the minigame will pause and the battle will start.

After a battle

After the battle has finished and Judd has determined which team has won, each player is taken to a results screen, which shows how many splats and deaths each player had and how many Battle Points each player earned. After this, the player's Rank (Ranked Battle only) and level may change depending on performance, and the player is given the option to either play another round in the same lobby or disconnect from the lobby. If the player chooses to disconnect, they are taken back to the lobby.

Matchmaking

Matchmaking mode choices are available from the lobby menu. The matchmaking mode determines which stages a player can play on, which game modes can be played, and how opponents are chosen.

In Ranked Battles, players play against players with the same letter grade as the players are split between different skill brackets.

Each matchmaking mode in Splatoon 2 has a specific "index number" assigned to it. These indices differ between regions. Each number represents a specific matchmaking configuration. While everyone is put into the same matchmaking pool (per matchmaking mode), the matchmaking server will attempt to match a player using the configuration for their region and matchmaking mode. To determine which session someone should be matched with, each criterion in the configuration is assigned a score value, and the session with the highest total score is chosen.

Here is the list of criteria that Nintendo can assign scores to, among others:

• The difference in power level between the session owner and the joining player
• The difference in the rate of disconnection between the owner and joining player
• How far the distance between the owner and the joining player is
• If the country of origin matches
• How long the session has been waiting for players^[1]

Team breakdown

In Ranked Battles, before Splatoon 2 version 4.3.1, the number of players using weapons from different classes, such as shooters or rollers, had a significant impact on team breakdown. From version 4.3.1 onward, the specifications for each specific weapon are given more weight when splitting up teams. Each weapon got a rating value named matchmaking range that is relative to its firing range. The matchmaking server forms teams with a similar average of the weapons' matchmaking range.

Communications error

If a player's internet connection is not good enough to stay in the lobby or battle, they are disconnected from the lobby. This is also called a communications error. If this occurs before the battle starts, the player simply receives a message that states that "A communications error occurred" and they are disconnected from the lobby. If this happens during or directly after a battle before the results screen, a message comes up saying the same thing, and the player will again be disconnected. On the results screen, it shows that the disconnected player had zero splats and deaths, and in Regular Battles, it shows that they inked zero points of turf (unless their team won, in which case it shows that they earned 1000p). In both instances, the disconnected player returns to the lobby. If a player disconnects too often, they will not be able to play online for a while.

Splatfest

During Splatfest, the lobbies are a bit different than normal. Upon first entering the lobby, the player is not given the five normal connection options. Rather, the only options in the lobby are to create a Private Battle or to join a Splatfest Battle. Upon joining a Splatfest lobby, one can notice other differences in the online lobbies as well. Rather than having eight player slots on the right of the screen all in a row, the eight slots are divided into two groups of four. These two groups represent the players that will be battling for both Splatfest teams. Once all the players of one team have joined, the screen says that that team is ready. Once the other team joins, the game says that they are ready, and then the battle starts.

Counters and meters

Several different counters and meters are displayed in the lobby, each serving a different purpose.

Level

Main article: Level

The level meter indicates how "fresh" a player is. This is a general indicator of that player's playtime but is necessary for things like being granted access to shops or Ranked Battle.

Vibe

Main article: Vibe

The vibe meter shows how well a player is doing in the current game session. It is measured using flags, with every victory scoring one extra flag, but every loss decreasing the number of flags by a variable amount. A player's vibe determines the amount of cash they get from Judd when they talk to him.

Splatfest Power

Main article: Power level

Rank

Main article: Rank

The rank meter shows what rank the player is at and how close or far they are to going up or down a rank. Ideally, players in Ranked Battle get paired up with players with similar ranks.

Splatfest rank

Main article: Splatfest#Reward Tiers

During Splatfest, players had a meter that started them off at the lowest classification, and as they battled more, it went up. A player's classification determined how many Super Sea Snails they got at the end of the event.

Cash

Main article: Cash

The cash counter shows how much cash the player currently has.

Super Sea Snails

Main article: Super Sea Snail

The Super Sea Snail counter shows how many Super Sea Snails the player currently has. It only appears once the player collects their first Super Sea Snail. Using up all the snails does not remove the counter.

Music

Splatoon

Lobby plays on the lobby's mode selection screen, and Dubble Bath plays when waiting for a match.

Fictional band	Song name	Audio sample
N/A	Lobby	Lobby
Bob Dub	Dubble Bath	Dubble Bath

Splatoon 2

Without a Dop Doubt plays on the lobby's mode selection screen, and Dubble Bath (DIY Remix) plays when waiting for a match. While waiting for a match, the player can press buttons or move the control sticks on the controller to trigger alterations to the music, such as changing the pitch.

Fictional band	Song name	Audio sample
N/A	Without a Dop Doubt	Without a Dop Doubt
Bob Dub	Dubble Bath (DIY Remix)	Dubble Bath (DIY Remix)

Splatoon 3

In Splatoon 3, a variety of music plays in the lobby, including both new songs and multiplayer battle songs from the previous games. The music in the lobby plays with a filter that makes it sound somewhat muffled, which dynamically changes in different parts of the lobby; the filter is not present while the player is viewing the match menu in the battle pot or viewing the jukebox. Outside of Splatfests, the music that plays in the lobby by default follows a consistent weekly schedule, changing music every hour at the top of the hour. Hourly music rollovers occur independently of reloads triggered by map rotation updates; if the player prevents the bi-hourly reload from occurring immediately by remaining in a menu, the lobby music will still update.

Weekly music schedule
Hour (UTC)	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
00:00	Heliocentri City Wading Room	Weekday selection	Pour It On Missing Ink	Blop Bop Bonfire	Fuzzy Dazzler New Shores	Weekday selection	Slick Moves Crevasse
01:00	Weekend selection	Dorsal Slicer Nothing in My Wave	Blop Bop Bonfire	Dressed to Krill Coral Kiss	Weekday selection	Clashing Colors Medusa	Weekend selection
02:00	Legacy battle music playlist
03:00	Fuzzy Dazzler New Shores	Blop Bop Bonfire	Belly Flop Aquariyum	Weekday selection	Pop 'n' Schlock Chroma Chaos	Blop Bop Bonfire	Weekend selection
04:00	Weekend selection	Gilded Cage All Swell	Weekday selection	Clashing Colors Medusa	Blop Bop Bonfire	Slick Moves Crevasse	Pour It On Missing Ink
05:00	Clashing Colors Medusa	Weekday selection	Slick Moves Crevasse	Blop Bop Bonfire	Dorsal Slicer Nothing in My Wave	Weekday selection	Weekend selection
06:00	Weekend selection	Heliocentri City Wading Room	Blop Bop Bonfire	Pop 'n' Schlock Chroma Chaos	Weekday selection	Fuzzy Dazzler New Shores	Dorsal Slicer Nothing in My Wave
07:00	Belly Flop Aquariyum	Blop Bop Bonfire	Fuzzy Dazzler New Shores	Weekday selection	Gilded Cage All Swell	Blop Bop Bonfire	Weekend selection
08:00	Weekend selection	Gillty Pianissimo	Weekday selection	Belly Flop Aquariyum	Blop Bop Bonfire	Pour It On Missing Ink	Heliocentri City Wading Room
09:00	Gilded Cage All Swell	Weekday selection	Dressed to Krill Coral Kiss	Blop Bop Bonfire	Gillty Pianissimo	Weekday selection	Weekend selection
10:00	Legacy battle music playlist
11:00	Weekend selection	Pop 'n' Schlock Chroma Chaos	Blop Bop Bonfire	Heliocentri City Wading Room	Weekday selection	Gilded Cage All Swell	Fuzzy Dazzler New Shores
12:00	Slick Moves Crevasse	Blop Bop Bonfire	Gillty Pianissimo	Weekday selection	Clashing Colors Medusa	Blop Bop Bonfire	Weekend selection
13:00	Weekend selection	Belly Flop Aquariyum	Weekday selection	Fuzzy Dazzler New Shores	Blop Bop Bonfire	Heliocentri City Wading Room	Dressed to Krill Coral Kiss
14:00	Pop 'n' Schlock Chroma Chaos	Weekday selection	Gilded Cage All Swell	Blop Bop Bonfire	Pour It On Missing Ink	Weekday selection	Weekend selection
15:00	Weekend selection	Dressed to Krill Coral Kiss	Blop Bop Bonfire	Slick Moves Crevasse	Weekday selection	Dorsal Slicer Nothing in My Wave	Gilded Cage All Swell
16:00	Gillty Pianissimo	Blop Bop Bonfire	Dorsal Slicer Nothing in My Wave	Weekday selection	Belly Flop Aquariyum	Blop Bop Bonfire	Weekend selection
17:00	Weekend selection	Clashing Colors Medusa	Weekday selection	Gillty Pianissimo	Blop Bop Bonfire	Dressed to Krill Coral Kiss	Belly Flop Aquariyum
18:00	Legacy battle music playlist
19:00	Pour It On Missing Ink	Weekday selection	Clashing Colors Medusa	Blop Bop Bonfire	Heliocentri City Wading Room	Weekday selection	Weekend selection
20:00	Weekend selection	Slick Moves Crevasse	Blop Bop Bonfire	Pour It On Missing Ink	Weekday selection	Gillty Pianissimo	Pop 'n' Schlock Chroma Chaos
21:00	Dorsal Slicer Nothing in My Wave	Blop Bop Bonfire	Heliocentri City Wading Room	Weekday selection	Dressed to Krill Coral Kiss	Blop Bop Bonfire	Weekend selection
22:00	Weekend selection	Fuzzy Dazzler New Shores	Weekday selection	Gilded Cage All Swell	Blop Bop Bonfire	Belly Flop Aquariyum	Clashing Colors Medusa
23:00	Dressed to Krill Coral Kiss	Weekday selection	Pop 'n' Schlock Chroma Chaos	Blop Bop Bonfire	Slick Moves Crevasse	Weekday selection	Weekend selection

Pop 'n' Schlock, Clashing Colors, and Dorsal Slicer were added to the game in version 4.0.0.

Certain hours will play different music depending on which of the three hubs (Splatsville, Inkopolis Plaza, or Inkopolis Square) the player is in:

Weekday and weekend selections
Hub	Weekdays		Weekends
Splatsville		Sinkopated Backwash		Drip Feed Turf Love
Inkopolis Plaza		Inkopolis Lobby		Inkopolis News Squid Sisters
Inkopolis Square		Without a Dop Doubt		Inkopolis News Off the Hook

At 2AM, 10AM, and 6PM UTC, the lobby will play one of six playlists of select battle themes from previous Splatoon games, rotating through songs in a set order every five minutes until the hour is up. The playlist will be played for all three of the designated hours in a particular day, then rotate to the next playlist in sequence for the next day. For instance, if Wet Floor's playlist occurs on a Wednesday, then Thursday will feature the Bottom Feeders playlist, and the next occurrence of the Wet Floor playlist will be the following Tuesday.

If the player is in the lobby within the first minute of the legacy playlist hour, or if the player is in a menu when the hour rolls over, a version of Opening will play corresponding to the game that the playlist's leading song originates from. Since Opening is not an available song in the jukebox, it will display the cover and title of the previous song that played if the jukebox is open while the transition occurs, or the cover and title of the playlist's leading song if the lobby is entered during the first minute of the legacy playlist hour.

The following lists the legacy playlists in the order of their daily rotation.

Legacy battle music playlists
Featured band(s)	Opening		Playlist
Squid Squad		Opening Squid Squad		Splattack! Squid Squad
				Ink or Sink Squid Squad
				Seaskape Squid Squad
				Kraken Up Squid Squad
				Metalopod Squid Squad
Chirpy Chips		Opening Squid Squad		Shellfie Chirpy Chips
				Split & Splat Chirpy Chips
				Blitz It! Chirpy Chips
				Wave Prism Chirpy Chips
Hightide Era Ink Theory		Opening Squid Squad		Hooked Hightide Era
				Sucker Punch Hightide Era
				Broken Coral Ink Theory
				Riptide Rupture Ink Theory
Wet Floor		Opening Wet Floor		Inkoming! Wet Floor
				Rip Entry Wet Floor
				Undertow Wet Floor
				Don't Slip Wet Floor
				Endolphin Surge Wet Floor
Bottom Feeders		Opening Wet Floor		Shipwreckin' Bottom Feeders
				Fins & Fiddles Bottom Feeders
				Seafoam Shanty Bottom Feeders
SashiMori Diss-Pair		Opening Wet Floor		Chopscrewey SashiMori
				Entropical SashiMori
				Seasick Diss-Pair
				Kinetosis Diss-Pair

During Splatfests, only Soak & Stomp plays in the lobby, except in special Splatfests, which each have their own lobby music instead: Deepers Creepers plays in Splatoween, Yule Tide plays in FrostyFest, Meadowlark plays in SpringFest, Suntan Ocean plays in Summer Nights, and Soak & Stomp (Grand Mix) plays in the Grand Festival. The lobby music changes to a slightly different version in the second half of a Splatfest. Since version 5.0.0, for 24 hours after a Splatfest ends, the lobby music is Daybreaker Anthem in Splatsville, Maritime Memory in Inkopolis Plaza, and Into the Light in Inkopolis Square. For the Grand Festival, Maritime Memory, Into the Light, and Daybreaker Anthem were played in that order on loop, but only for 2 hours after the end of the Splatfest (until the results announcement), after which the lobby music returned to normal.

Additional tracks also dynamically play when the player is near the Lobby Terminal or the Crab-N-Go. The Crab-N-Go jingle is different during special Splatfests. In version 3.0.0, the jukebox was added, allowing the player to change the music in the lobby; while the jukebox is playing music, the Crab-N-Go jingle stops playing, but the Lobby Terminal jingle does not.

New lobby music in Splatoon 3

Fictional band	Song name	Audio sample
Backwash	Sinkopated	Sinkopated
Turf Love	Drip Feed	Drip Feed
Wading Room	Heliocentri City	Heliocentri City
New Shores	Fuzzy Dazzler	Fuzzy Dazzler
Bonfire	Blop Bop	Blop Bop
All Swell	Gilded Cage	Gilded Cage
Coral Kiss	Dressed to Krill	Dressed to Krill
Crevasse	Slick Moves	Slick Moves
Aquariyum	Belly Flop	Belly Flop
Pianissimo	Gillty	Gillty
Missing Ink	Pour It On	Pour It On
Chroma Chaos	Pop 'n' Schlock	Pop 'n' Schlock
Medusa	Clashing Colors	Clashing Colors
Nothing in My Wave	Dorsal Slicer	Dorsal Slicer
Anglerfish	Soak & Stomp	First half version: Soak & Stomp (first half) Second half version: Soak & Stomp (second half)
Bloody Hook	Deepers Creepers	First half version: Deepers Creepers (first half) Second half version: Deepers Creepers (second half)
Decksterity	Yule Tide	Yule Tide
Saplings	Meadowlark	Meadowlark
Reel Deel	Suntan Ocean	First half version: Suntan Ocean (first half) Second half version: Suntan Ocean (second half)
Anglerfish feat. Cory	Soak & Stomp (Grand Mix)	First half version: Soak & Stomp (Grand Mix) (first half) Second half version: Soak & Stomp (Grand Mix) (second half)
N/A	Lobby Terminal	Lobby Terminal
	Crab-N-Go

Quotes

“	With that out of the way, let's talk a bit more about how the lobby works in Splatoon 3. At the center of all multiplayer battles, the lobby is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to help Inklings and Octolings get matched up in Turf War battles and more.	”
— @SplatoonNA on Twitter[2]

“	Splatlands' main tower is home to the all-new lobby. Here, you can customise your locker, warm up on the test range, view recent results and replays, and team up with friends by talking to their ghost!	”
— @NintendoEurope on Twitter[3]

“	Welcome to the lobby! It's your portal to online battles...and where you stash all your gear. As you splat forth in online battles, you'll level up and earn cash, to boot. Why level up and get cash? So you can access and afford the freshest gear in Splatsville! And some battle modes are restricted to players at a higher level too. So get that level up! First things first. Why don't you check out the battle pot over there and select Regular Battle. That'll get you into a Turf War battle. Your team will have three minutes to ink the most turf! Eh, less chat, more splat. Let's get started!	”
— When a player enters Splatoon 3's lobby for the first time.

“	Hey, you leveled up! Congrats! Didja know you can use the Sheldon License you got on shiny new weapons? Well, you can! Head to the square and check out Ammo Knights. Happy shopping! And...Pardon the interruption, but we're picking up a pretty fresh vibe from you lately...Did you know that there are a few shops around here with gear that can help you out? I'm talking clothes, shoes, headgear, and even new weapons. And a general store too! Check 'em out...and tell 'em this disembodied voice sent ya!	”
— When reaching level 4 for the first time.

Gallery

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  The "Lobby" icon on the map.

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  Alternate icon with outline.

• 

  Transparent

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  Lobby menu (pre-version 2.0.0.

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  Lobby menu during a Splatfest (pre-version 2.6.0.

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  A Private Battle lobby.

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  Loading screen in the lobby.

• 
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  Splatoon 2 menu icon.

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  Splatoon 3 menu icon.

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  Splatoon 3's lobby menu.

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  A player inside the battle pot.

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  Splatsville's tower during a Splatfest.

Trivia

• In Splatoon, while in the lobby, if the player presses and opens the Friends List, a communications error occurs when the player returns to the game, being sent back to Inkopolis Plaza and having to connect to the internet once again.
  • In Splatoon 2, this occurs if the player stays on the Home Screen of the Nintendo Switch for 30 seconds or more.
• On Splatoon 2's lobby screen, the player can make their own remix of Dubble Bath (DIY Remix) while waiting for the remaining players to join. Pressing any button will play a unique recording or special effect or change the song in some way. The and will adjust the volume and distort the sound respectively. , , and will add different "echoing" voice effects. , , , and play different voice recordings. This feature is unavailable in Private Battle lobbies.
• The battle pot's design seems to be based on an electric water boiler.

Names in other languages

Translation notes

References

Locations in Splatoon

Places Inkopolis (Inkopolis Plaza) • Inkopolis Tower (Lobby) • Battle Dojo • Booyah Base • Test range • Octo Valley (Octarian domes) Stages Urchin Underpass • Walleye Warehouse • Saltspray Rig • Arowana Mall • Blackbelly Skatepark • Port Mackerel • Kelp Dome • Bluefin Depot • Moray Towers • Camp Triggerfish • Flounder Heights • Hammerhead Bridge • Museum d'Alfonsino • Mahi-Mahi Resort • Piranha Pit • Ancho-V Games Octo Valley Area 1 • Area 2 • Area 3 • Area 4 • Area 5 Shops Ammo Knights • Cooler Heads • Jelly Fresh • Shrimp Kicks Other Inkopolis Café • Inkopolis News Studio • Calamari County

Locations in Splatoon 2

Places Inkopolis (Inkopolis Square) • Deca Tower (Lobby) • Grizzco Industries • The Shoal • Galleria • Test range • Octo Canyon (Octarian domes) • Deepsea Metro (Central Station) Stages The Reef • Musselforge Fitness • Starfish Mainstage • Humpback Pump Track • Inkblot Art Academy • Sturgeon Shipyard • Moray Towers • Port Mackerel • Manta Maria • Kelp Dome • Snapper Canal • Blackbelly Skatepark • MakoMart • Walleye Warehouse • Shellendorf Institute • Arowana Mall • Goby Arena • Piranha Pit • Camp Triggerfish • Wahoo World • New Albacore Hotel • Ancho-V Games • Skipper Pavilion • Shifty Station Shifty Stations Wayslide Cool • The Secret of S.P.L.A.T. • Goosponge • Windmill House on the Pearlie • Fancy Spew • Zone of Glass • Cannon Fire Pearl • The Bunker Games • Grapplink Girl • Zappy Longshocking • A Swiftly Tilting Balance • Sweet Valley Tentacles • The Switches • The Bouncey Twins • Railway Chillin' • Gusher Towns • The Maze Dasher • Flooders in the Attic • The Splat in our Zones • The Ink is Spreading • Bridge to Tentaswitchia • The Chronicles of Rolonium • Furler in the Ashes • MC.Princess Diaries Salmon Run stages Spawning Grounds • Marooner's Bay • Lost Outpost • Salmonid Smokeyard • Ruins of Ark Polaris Octo Canyon Tentakeel Outpost • Suction-Cup Lookout • Beaker's Depot • Slimeskin Garrison • Cephalon HQ Shops Ammo Knights • Headspace • Ye Olde Cloth Shoppe • Shella Fresh • Crust Bucket Other Inkopolis Café • Inkopolis News Studio • Calamari County • Mount Nantai • Inkopolis Tower

Locations in Splatoon 3

Places The Splatlands (Splatsville) • Inkopolis (Inkopolis Plaza • Inkopolis Square) • Lobby tower / Inkopolis Tower / Deca Tower (Lobby • Test range • Locker room) • Grizzco Industries • The Shoal • Tableturf Battle Dojo • Train station • Booyah Base • Galleria • The Crater • Alterna • Memverse (Order Sector • Spire of Order) • Grand Festival Grounds Stages Scorch Gorge • Eeltail Alley • Hagglefish Market • Undertow Spillway • Mincemeat Metalworks • Hammerhead Bridge • Museum d'Alfonsino • Mahi-Mahi Resort • Inkblot Art Academy • Sturgeon Shipyard • MakoMart • Wahoo World • Brinewater Springs • Flounder Heights • Um'ami Ruins • Manta Maria • Barnacle & Dime • Humpback Pump Track • Crableg Capital • Shipshape Cargo Co. • Robo ROM-en • Bluefin Depot • Marlin Airport • Lemuria Hub • Grand Splatlands Bowl Salmon Run stages Spawning Grounds • Sockeye Station • Gone Fission Hydroplant • Marooner's Bay • Jammin' Salmon Junction • Salmonid Smokeyard • Bonerattle Arena Alterna Future Utopia Island • Cozy & Safe Factory • Cryogenic Hopetown • Landfill Dreamland • Eco-Forest Treehills • Happiness Research Lab • Alterna Space Center (The Spirit Lifter) Shops Ammo Knights • Naut Couture • Cooler Heads • Headspace • Man-o'-Wardrobe • Jelly Fresh • Ye Olde Cloth Shoppe • Crush Station • Shrimp Kicks • Shella Fresh • Hotlantis • Crab-N-Go Other Inkadia (Deepsea Metro • Mount Nantai • Octo Valley • Octo Canyon • Calamari County)