Splatoon 2 and Amiibo release date set for July, new co-op mode shown off today

Splatoon 2 isn't far off, and also it has a brand new PvE mode.

Splatoon 2 now has a release date of July 21.

The release date was announced during today's Nintendo Direct, along with word that new Splatoon 2 Amiibo will launch the same day.

A new Splatoon 2 mode called Salmon Run also made its debut; you can see some footage in the video above.

The four player co-op mode has Splatoon 2 players battling the Salmonid, which “might even be more lethal than the Octarians”.

Looking like some sort of Horde mode, it has a unique little twist in line with Splatoon 2's themes – to revive fallen team mates, you have to “ink them off on the battlefield”.

It's great to finally have a release date for Splatoon 2, as the Switch release slate was nebulous until today. Following on from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's tremendous release, Splatoon 2 is the next big thing for the console. It's a relief to see solid release dates at last.

The first Splatoon game was a huge success in Wii U terms, but with any luck there Switch has an active enough user base that this family friendly but very satisfying shooter will command the larger audience it deserves.