Unobtainable Gear

Octoleet Set#

While the developers only ever released the Octoleet Goggles through Salmon Run, leftover files indicate the rest of the Octoleet set was planned to be released as well. They're completely finished with their own icons and name entries in the message files. These later returned in Splatoon 3 as scale rewards.

Tentacles Helmet#

The only other non-promotional gear from Splatoon aside from the Octoleet set that was never released. Oddly enough, it was shown off in the trailer for 3.0.0, indicating they had plans to release it. It's completely finished with its own icon and name entry in the message file.

RVL003#

Even though the Octoling Shades used by Elite Octolings are never meant to be used by players, they have their own icon for player usage. Curiously, when they're forcefully equipped the game seems to intentionally block the kelp physics, unlike in the first game.

Hidden Gear in 'Invisible' Gear#

While the gear itself technically isn't unused or unobtainable, as it's used in scenarios where no specific gear is called for, all 3 actually have real gear meshes set to not display. These pieces of gear likely date back to the well-known rabbit prototypes of the original Splatoon, and these hidden meshes are in the first game's 'invisible' gear too. The visor, except in a different color can be seen in this development screenshot.

The Fake Contacts also have a hidden piece of gear, that being the original game's White Headband.