Splatoon Getting New Ranked Battle Mode

Nintendo's quirky team-based shooter Splatoon will be updated with a new ranked battle mode called Tower Control.

The mode will be available on July 1 at 7 PM PT, and tasks players with jumping onto a tower placed in the middle of the map and defending it as it moves towards a goal point placed in enemy territory.

"Once someone jumps onto the tower, it starts moving along a set path toward the other team's goal," Nintendo explains. "If the tower doesn't arrive at their goal before time runs out, the team that's moved it closes toward their opponent's goal wins."

"Ride the tower all the way into the other team's goal though, and you'll get a decisive knockout victory."

On June 26, Nintendo added two new weapons to the game in advance of the first Splatfest event.

The first of these new weapons is the Carbon Roller, which excels in mobility. Its fling attack has limited range, but you'll have access to Burst Bombs and the Inkzooka while using it.

The Custom Dual Squelcher, meanwhile, features both a high rate-of-fire and range. With it equipped, you'll be able to use Squid Beakons and the Killer Wail.

Splatoon has performed strongly at retail. It was recently revealed that the game sold more than one million units worldwide since its launch in late May.