Splatoon

Splatoon is the boldest new franchise Nintendo introduced during the Wii U generation, and also proof that even in an overcrowded genre like the online shooter there's still room for a genuinely fresh angle. You play as squid-like Inklings, and the goal in the core Turf War mode isn't kill count but how much of the arena's surface your team manages to cover in your own color by the end. Hitting an opponent is just a means to claim territory. And color isn't cosmetic here: while in your own color you can turn into a squid, swim quickly beneath the surface, refill your ink, and climb painted walls, whereas an opposing color slows you down and gives away your position.

Out of this single mechanic grows a surprisingly deep layer of tactics. Every weapon covers ground differently, from a roller to a sniper rifle to a spray gun, each paired with its own set of support grenades and special attacks. The result is a shooter that even a player with no aiming experience can pick up, since scoring points is possible just by painting the floor. The single-player campaign isn't merely a drawn-out tutorial, but a proper series of platforming levels that gradually introduce every mechanic and build up to several inventive boss fights. Controls aim by combining the GamePad's gyroscope with the stick, and the map on the second screen lets you jump straight to a teammate's position.

Visually the game leans on bold colors, street aesthetics, and poster-style graphics; the music mixes surf rock with pop sung in a made-up language, and the whole world has its own fashion culture and idols. For several months after launch Nintendo kept expanding the game for free with new weapons, maps, and modes, which helped keep the community together. Reviews were very positive, and the franchise became one of the console's few genuine successes, one that Nintendo went on to build further sequels around. Today Splatoon is mainly of historical importance, since the Wii U's online services are no longer running, but its core idea remains one of the smartest in modern game design.