Halloween surprise from Nintendo: Instead of spooky announcements, today brought a nine-minute Direct for the inaugural Pikmin Day on November 1st. It was hosted by Shigeru Miyamoto himself. There was no Pikmin 5, but the little plant creatures still brought some tangible news.
The date, by the way, isn't a release anniversary. Miyamoto explained that originally there were only three Pikmin, which when placed side-by-side look like '11.1' – hence November 1st.
What's New in Pikmin 4 for the Switch 2?
The centerpiece of the Direct: Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy will be released on November 12, 2026. This is unusually short notice for Nintendo releases – and fits with the fact that there will be something to try out very soon.
- Demo: A free demo for the Switch 2 version will be available starting November 2nd. It features the starting area Sun-Speckled Terrace and two Dandori Academy stages. Save data can be carried over to the full version.
- Microphone Control: The built-in microphone of the Switch 2 will be utilized. Dog Oatchi responds to voice commands like “rush” or “go to work.”
- Dandori Academy: This new mode introduces timed trials that take place on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Those who succeed collect medals.
For owners of the original, the demo is worth checking out: it lets you experience how voice commands feel in daily gameplay without any risk. Pikmin 4 originally launched on the first Switch in 2023 and was rated 9/10 by IGN – so the new edition is an update of an already very well-received game, not a new installment.
What does the Winter Update bring for Pikmin Bloom?
The mobile game Pikmin Bloom is also getting new content. This winter brings Secret Caves: you send your Pikmin into caves, search for treasures, and fight against familiar enemies. First, you'll need a cave map, which you can find through things like postcards. The teaser showed found items like a rubber duck, a sword, a cookie, and a chef's hat. In battle, you decide when your squad attacks or retreats. The trials from Dandori Academy in Pikmin 4 also provide maps – a nice interweaving of both games.
Are there new Pikmin short films and what does the Direct mean for the series?
Yes: there was a new 'Hello! Pikmin' short film, in which a Red Pikmin tries to take a baseball from a frog. In the future, a new short film will be released every month via the Nintendo-Today! app and other channels. A new episode arrives tomorrow, with the next in November. Miyamoto produces them together with Nintendo Pictures. Also featured was Japanese actress Fuka Koshiba, who popularized self-knitted Pikmin hats.
From our perspective, the message is clear: Nintendo is currently expanding Pikmin from a niche favorite into a brand with its own holiday. While Pikmin 5 wasn't teased, Miyamoto's statement 'I want people to learn more about Pikmin in the future' suggests the series will remain in the spotlight for longer. However, this is just an assessment – nothing has been confirmed.
Source: IGN
Will you get the demo on November 2nd – and do you wish for a Pikmin 5? Let us know in the comments!
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