It may not be Nintendo’s most popular or famous franchise, but the latest entry in the Pikmin series has arrived on the Nintendo Switch. Pikmin 4 changes up the formula a bit by allowing players to create their own characters to explore a mysterious planet full of small, plantlike creatures known as Pikmin. If you’re unfamiliar with Pikmin 4 gameplay, it’s somewhat like a casual real-time strategy game. You grow, pluck, command, and overpower the Pikmin, which come in different types like fire and ice.
Additionally, Pikmin 4 introduces a lovable dog named Oatchi, who significantly changes how you approach solving the game’s puzzles. Currently, Pikmin 4 is sitting with an 88 on Opencritic and Metacritic, so clearly Nintendo has another hit on its hands. If you haven’t tried the franchise before, now’s a great time! It offers great, casual fun, and we’ll be working through it over the next couple of weeks to complete our review.
If you’re unsure, there’s a demo you can check out. Nintendo has also released remastered versions of the first two games.