There is now a way for Splatoon 3 players to get emotes and other cosmetic items from past catalogs. With Splatoon 3 now in its third season, there is a vast array of gear, titles, and other cosmetics available for players to unlock.
The catalog in Splatoon 3 is an in-game item that functions similarly to battle passes seen in other multiplayer games like Fortnite and Apex Legends. The game's seasons, each of which lasts about three months, all come with their own catalogs that allow players to earn rewards by leveling up. With the new weapons and maps launched in Splatoon 3's Fresh Season, gamers now have access to the newest catalog. However, many people have wondered how they might be able to get rewards from previous catalogs they missed out on, something that is particularly relevant to new players.
Fans finally got their answer to this question with the newest Splatoon 3 update. A page on Nintendo's website states that past cosmetic catalog items like emotes and titles will return as rewards available through the Shell-Out Machine in Splatoon 3. The Shell-Out Machine is available in the multiplayer lobby and lets players spend cash in exchange for a randomized reward. Gamers can get a discounted play on the machine once a day for 5000 Cash, with each subsequent purchase made the same day costing 30,000 Cash.
Unlike other new Fresh Season content, such as the addition of online play in Splatoon 3 Tableturf Battle, this change to the catalog was not promoted by Nintendo on the official North American Splatoon Twitter account. A fan on the Splatoon subreddit named Sappie297 discovered this change when they unlocked an emote from the previous catalog through the Shell-Out Machine. Other fans replied to their post with excitement that they would now have the chance to get items they missed out on, though there was skepticism on whether all previous rewards would be available.
Battle passes have been a staple of online multiplayer games since the system was pioneered by games like Fortnite, but they have remained controversial among gamers. For example, the Season 3 battle pass in Overwatch 2 recently came under fire from fans who felt that it was deceptive in how it presented rewards. The inclusion of the catalog in Splatoon 3 remains a somewhat contentious issue, particularly because it means players who aren't able to level up quickly enough will potentially miss out on rewards. However, these fans can rest assured that they will still have ways to earn items they previously missed out on, ensuring that future players will still be able to enjoy previous cosmetic items.
Splatoon 3 is available on Nintendo Switch.