Pikmin 4

Pikmin 4 is a strategy adventure in which you lead small plant creatures through a vast everyday world. As part of a rescue team, you search for missing people, collect treasures and explore caves. Depending on type, the Pikmin take on different tasks. Dog Otschin helps with carrying, searching and getting past obstacles.

Pikmin 4 was released for Nintendo Switch on Jul 21, 2023. The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition with the Dandori Academy releases on Nov 12, 2026. It expands the original adventure with additional tasks and technical improvements.

The Switch game runs on Switch 2 via compatibility. The exclusive features of the new version require the Switch 2 Edition or the upgrade pack.

Pikmin 4 is available for Nintendo Switch and, from Nov 12, 2026, also as a standalone Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. The Switch version works on Switch 2 via backward compatibility, but there it does not offer the new exclusive features.

The Switch 2 Edition offers higher resolution, voice commands for Otschin and the Dandori Academy. Owners of the original Switch version can buy an upgrade pack.

You lead a group of Pikmin through expansive areas. The little helpers carry treasures, clear paths and solve tasks. Their different abilities determine which areas you can explore.

With a whistle, you call scattered Pikmin back to your group. On each expedition, you can use up to three types at the same time.

The Switch 2 Edition includes the original Pikmin 4 and the new Dandori Academy. If you own the Switch version, you can instead buy an upgrade pack for Switch 2. This requires the base game.

Without the upgrade, the Switch version works on Switch 2 via backward compatibility, but without voice control and the new tasks.

You search for stranded members of a rescue team and other missing people. To do so, you explore various areas and collect treasures. The Sparklium gained this way supports the spaceship's power supply.

At base camp, you take on further tasks, develop equipment and prepare for the next expedition.

Rescue dog Otschin carries your spaceman and a whole group of Pikmin. He pulls heavy objects, clears obstacles and helps with searching. Through training, he learns new abilities such as swimming and jumping.

Otschin can also take on tasks on his own while you deploy the Pikmin elsewhere.

The caves in Pikmin 4 contain multi-story puzzle areas and valuable finds. Different obstacles and creatures require a suitable mix of your Pikmin.

Treasures provide Sparklium for the rescue ship. Time passes differently in many underground areas than on the surface, so you can explore the multi-story levels at your leisure.

In Dandori tasks, what counts is how efficiently you use Pikmin and paths. Within a time limit, you collect as many valuable items as possible. In duels, you compete against a second player.

Whoever sends Pikmin to the right spots early and keeps transport routes clear gains an advantage. You can also practice the timed tasks on your own.

The Switch 2 Edition adds a Dandori Academy with 72 planned tasks in total. Six new levels are planned per month. There are several difficulty levels and medals for good results.

You can practice the tasks as often as you like. The actual exams take place Friday to Sunday and allow only one attempt per level per week. Your results may appear in leaderboards.

From Nov 2, 2026, you can try the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Pikmin 4 for free. The demo includes the first exploration area, Sun-Speckled Terrace, and two tasks from the Dandori Academy.

A separate demo is still available for the original Nintendo Switch version. There you meet Otschin, explore the first areas and can then transfer your save to the full version.

Pikmin 4 supports German on-screen text. English, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese and other languages are also available.

The Switch 2 Edition can be played in TV, tabletop and handheld mode. Compatible controllers are required for local multiplayer games.

On Nintendo Switch, local two-player play is possible. In story mode, the second player helps with a pointer and support items. In Dandori duels, two players face off against each other.

The Switch 2 Edition also supports GameShare for local and online duels via GameChat.

Each Pikmin type is suited to different tasks. Red Pikmin cope with fire, blue with water and yellow with electricity. Ice Pikmin freeze enemies and water surfaces. Glow Pikmin help at night.

Rock, winged, white and purple Pikmin have additional strengths. In the field, you can use up to three types at the same time.

At night, you protect special light sources from hostile creatures. The glow Pikmin help you fend off attacks. These missions have different goals than daytime exploration, where you mainly search for missing crew and treasure.

In the Switch 2 Edition, you can give Otschin nine different voice commands via the console microphone. For example, you can use them to have him transport treasures.

The enhanced edition displays the game world in higher resolution. According to Nintendo, TV mode supports resolutions of up to 4K.