Eagle-eyed fans ofSplatoon 3have discovered what certainly seems to be a reference to the filmBack to the Future 2. The movie, which takes viewers to the past and the future, seems to have inspired the development team.TheSplatoonseries has been full of pop culture references from the start. Prior examples include things like replicas of Nintendo consoles appearing in story mode orMarina and Pearl’s Octo Expansion gearresembling outfits worn by Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G., respectively, and now the series is showing some love for a classic sci-fi film.RELATED:Splatoon 3 Update Restores Missing Sea Snails and Fixes BugsInSplatoon 3, players have the option of playing Salmon Run, a PvE mode that pits four players against an onslaught of Salmonoid enemies. Completing runs rewards players with points that are exchanged for things like food tickets, ability chunks, or brand new gear that’s exclusive to Grizzco. This is where the references originate from. In the first month ofSplatoon 3’s launch, a holographic baseball cap was available via Salmon Run, strongly resembling the one Marty wears inBack to the Future 2. However, it’s this month’s reward that made it clear it was a reference.
For October, theSalmon RunGrizzco equipment award is the Lo-Vis Visor, a pair of 80s retro-futuristic silver sunglasses. They look just like those that Doc Brown wears in the same film, but it’s the way that they’re worn that nails the reference: the Inklings and Octolings wear it above their eyes, resting against the forehead, just as Doc frequently did in the movie.
There’s no telling why the development team honed in on this particular film as inspiration, but it’s a charming tribute to the popular movie. While time travel hasn’t played a role in theSplatoonseries, there is a lot to learn about thehistory of the Inklings and how it intersects with human historyin the games' story modes. Chances are that this is far from the last reference to pop culture to be seen in the latestSplatoongame.
Players inSplatoon 3have the opportunity learn more about the founder of Grizzco in the game’s story mode. The mysterious figure has been around sinceSalmon Run’s introduction inSplatoon 2, but not much has been known about him other than his voracious desire for golden salmon eggs. Those who want the new shades should drop in on Salmon Run before the end of October. However, for anyone who misses it,Splatoon 2would occasionally reward players with older items, so there’s a good chance players will get another shot at it at some point after October.
