Pikmin 4: Release date, trailers & everything we know

Pikmin 4 is the long-awaited next installment in the popular Pikmin franchise. Along with a release date, we also have a bunch of info about the game as well as some flashy trailers and gameplay footage.

It’s hard to believe that it’s close to 10 years since the release of Pikmin 3 for the Nintendo Wii U. So it’s fair to say that fans of the real-time strategy and army management game have been starving for a new entry.

This was followed by a Pokemon Go-style mobile game — Pikmin Bloom — created by PoGo developers Niantic. However, this entry didn’t satiate the hunger of die-hard fans and garnered a similar reaction to Hey! Pikmin for the Nintendo 3DS.

Worries and fears have finally been allayed as Pikmin 4 marks the return to home consoles as intended with a fresh take on gameplay, updated graphics, and new characters commanding the inhabitants of the franchise’s strange worlds.

Contents

• Pikmin 4: Release date
• Pikmin 4: Gameplay & story
• Pikmin 4: Trailers
• Pikmin: Original games coming to Switch

Pikmin 4: Release date

Pikmin 4 has an official release date: The cutesy puzzle game will be available to buy on Nintendo Switch from July 21, 2023.

The projected 2023 release period for the game was updated during February’s Nintendo Direct show, as not only was more footage shown to potential buyers but the full release date was unveiled too.

A Bulborb is pictured sleeping peacefully before being disturbed by an army of Pikmin

Pikmin 4: Gameplay & story

Outside of a few still frames of Bulborbs sleeping and Pikmin being tossed, the first trailer didn’t reveal much about Pikmin 4. However, Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto shed some light on what players can expect from the new entry.

First, he stated that players would be playing with the camera angle close to the ground, similar to the perspective of the Pikmin. “Nintendo Switch has made controlling the game simpler,” Miyamoto stated. “Meaning you can further concentrate on the core essence of Pikmin gameplay.”

He referred to this style of play as “Dandori” or strategically planning, deploying, and commanding your Pikmin army.

Since then, the footage from February’s Nintendo Direct presentation has given fans an insight into what to expect with lots more puzzles, teamwork-based problems, and new characters and abilities.

The June 2023 Nintendo Direct discussed how Pikmin 4 will incorporate Dandori Battles and allow players to explore after sunset. In previous Pikmin titles, you had to return to the ship before nightfall hits.

Pikmin 4: Trailers

Pikmin 4 first came to light at the September 13, 2022, Nintendo Direct event, and fans of the franchise were finally allowed to get excited thanks to the reveal trailer.

Something more substantial was needed to keep fans ticking over, and that’s exactly what they got in the form of the 3-minute release date trailer in 2023.

On June 6, 2023, Nintendo unveiled another trailer for Pikmin 4 ahead of its July 21 release date. The video showcases the anticipated sequel’s character creation toolkit – with different hairstyles and skin tones.

The trailer also hinted at players having to rescue Captain Olimar again as a member of the Rescue Corps.

The June 2023 Nintendo Direct provided more information about game modes present in Pikmin 4. The presentation also revealed prospective players could download the Pikmin 4 demo from the Nintendo eShop starting June 28, 2023.

Pikmin: Original games coming to Switch

In addition to the upcoming installment, the Nintendo Direct also announced the first two Pikmin games would be coming to Switch on June 21.

You can either buy the games individually or in a digital bundle for a discounted price. Physical versions of Pikmin 1 & 2 will be available for purchase on September 22, 2023. Now Pikmin fans can enjoy all four installments on the Nintendo Switch.

So, there you have it, everything we currently know about Pikmin 4. Make sure you check out our other upcoming game release hubs below:

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