Nintendo's breakout third-person shooter Splatoon is set for a significant free software patch, due August 6th.

The update introduces two new matchmaking options, which enable players to play in ranked matches in squads made up of friends, rather than randomly-selected players.

Regular and Ranked modes see level caps raised from 20 to 50, and ranks raised from the previous maximum of A+ to S and S+.

Two new weapons will also be introduced: the bucket-like Slosher and the rapid-fire Splatling gun.

Finally, forty pieces of new gear - including a sushi chef costume - will hit the game's shopfronts.

Despite - or because of - Nintendo's comparative lack of shooter experience, Splatoon has become a surprising success, selling over a million copies and receiving near-unanimous praise for its innovative mechanics and fun art style.

Splatoon is available now exclusively for the Wii U.