Splatoon 2 Testfire is coming March 24, but Nintendo is already releasing the pre-load in some regions. The Japanese Nintendo Switch eShop has the Splatoon 2 multiplayer demo ready to download, but there is an unfortunate catch.

Upon downloading the Splatoon 2 Global Testfire and launching it, you'll be taken to a screen that simply states, "The Splatoon 2 Global Testfire hasn't started yet." The Splatoon 2 download is 408 MB, and it's likely that Nintendo released it so early so as to lessen stress on their servers when the multiplayer testfire takes place from March 24-26.

It's possible due to the Nintendo Switch's region-free feature to quickly create a Japanese eShop account. However, more than likely the North American and European eShops will receive the Splatoon 2 Global Testfire pre-load soon. The testfire will, unfortunately, be relatively brief so you'll want to make sure to hit it at one of the following times so you can play.

Splatoon 2 Global Testfire Play Schedule

3/24

• 12:00 - 12:59pm PT/3:00 - 3:59pm ET
• 8:00 - 8:59pm PT/11:00 - 11:39pm ET

3/25

• 4:00 - 4:59am PT/7:00 - 7:59pm ET
• 12:00 - 12:59pm PT/3:00 - 3:59pm ET
• 8:00 - 8:59pm PT/11:00 - 11:39pm ET

3/26

• 4:00 - 4:59am PT/7:00 - 7:59pm ET

Although some Switch launch titles like Fast RMX have online multiplayer, the Splatoon 2 Global Testfire will be the first real test placed on the new console's multiplayer servers. The full version of Splatoon 2 will launch sometime this Summer. Multiplayer will initially be free, but starting sometime in Autumn Nintendo will launch its full paid online multiplayer service.