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Best accessories to use for Splatoon 2 LAN Play feature

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Splatoon 2 is one of the few current-gen games to support LAN Play. This feature allows you and your friend to link their Nintendo Switch systems together, via a wired connection, to play multiplayer matches. So what are the best accessories to use for Splatoon 2 LAN Play? You can find out in our buying guide below.

Splatoon 2

In order to use the LAN Play feature in Splatoon 2, each player needs to own a copy of the game. This can either be a digital or physical copy. If you don’t have enough copies of the game, you can purchase them with the following links on Amazon: Digital Version and Physical Version.

Nintendo Switch Systems, Nintendo Switch Docks and Televisions

Furthermore, each player also needs his or her Nintendo Switch system (you can check out the available options here) as well as the Nintendo Switch Docks (which are included with the systems). The participant must have his or her television or other HDMI-display device as well since they won’t be able to use Splatoon 2’s LAN Play in handheld mode.

LAN Adapter

The Nintendo Switch does not come with an Ethernet port. Fortunately, you can purchase a compatible LAN Adapter. In addition to using it for LAN Play, you can also use the same accessory to play online Switch games over a wired connection. So, LAN Adapters have multiple benefits on the Switch.

Nintendo teamed up with Hori for the officially licensed Switch Wired Internet LAN Adapter, which is available for purchase with this link.

There is also a cheaper version, with the same exact ASIX AX88179 chipset available. If you are interested, you can check out the Plugable USB 3.0 to 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN Network Adapter via this page.

Network Router

Of course, you will also need a Network Router to connect all the Nintendo Switch systems, with their LAN Adapters, together. Although you may have a router already installed in your house, there could be some complications such as the lack of open LAN ports as well as the inconvenience of its location. Therefore, you are better off getting a dedicated network router for LAN Play.

One of the most popular network routers available is the Nighthawk AC1750 Smart Dual Band WiFi Router, which you can check out here.

Network Switch

Splatoon 2 supports up to eight players over LAN. If you don’t have enough open ports on your router, then you can purchase a network switch. If you are interested in doing so, we recommend the NETGEAR GS308 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Home Switch via this link.

Ethernet cables

Last but not least, you will also need Ethernet cables. One of the best brands when it comes to networking cables is Mediabridge. There are multiple length options available on Amazon via the following pages:

Make sure to measure out the distance needed to connect each Nintendo Switch system to the router before building your LAN setup for Splatoon 2.

Setting up the LAN Network for the Nintendo Switch

In order to set up a LAN Network for the Nintendo Switch, take the following steps:

  1. Connect the LAN adapter to one of the USB ports of the Nintendo Switch. The system must be placed inside its dock.
  2. Use an Ethernet cable to connect one end of it to the LAN adapter and the other end to the router (if you are using a network switch, connect the other end of the cable to the network switch and then connect the network switch to an open LAN port of your router).
  3. Rinse and repeat the aforementioned steps with the other Nintendo Switch systems you want connected to the LAN Network.
Setting up a LAN wired connection

Next up, take the following steps to set up the LAN wired connection on all the Nintendo Switch systems you planned on using:

  1. From the main menu of the system, select “System Settings.” Afterwards, select “Internet,” “Internet Settings,” “Wired Connection” and then “Connect to the Internet via Wired Connection.”
  2. The system will then test the Internet connection. If the router you are using for LAN is not connected to the internet, you will get an error code. This is fine as you don’t need the router to connect online for LAN Play.
Hosting LAN Play in Splatoon 2

Once you have everything set up, one of the Nintendo Switch systems will need to host a multiplayer game in Splatoon 2. To do so, you have to take the following steps:

  1. In the Inkopolis Square, press the X button on your controller to bring up the menu. From there, select “The Shoal” in the Map section.
  2. In The Shoal, you have to hold down the L button, R button and left analog stick. After a few seconds, the “Preparing LAN Play” message should appear.
  3. Afterwards, you can select either “Host a Private Battle” or “Host Salmon Run” options. In addition to selecting the multiplayer modes, you can also used the left side of the lobby screen to change the stage and other options. Once you are satisfied, you can then wait for the other players to join.
Joining a Hosted LAN game in Splatoon 2

In order to join the aforementioned hosted LAN game in Splatoon 2, take the following steps:

  1. Press the X button while in Inkopolis Square and then select “The Shoal” in the Map section.
  2. After arriving at The Shoal, hold down the L button, R button and left analog stick for a few seconds until you get the “Preparing LAN Play” message to appear.
  3. From there, select the “Find room” option and then select the name of the player hosting the LAN game. Select the “Yeah” option to confirm your decision.
  4. Once all the players joined the hosted game, everyone (including the host) have to select the “Ready” option for the game to start.

With the accessories we mentioned above, you should be to get a great connection for Splatoon 2 LAN Play.