Back in October, when Nintendo announced Pikmin 4’s free Decor Pikmin update, I said it was possible the company was holding back a Switch 2 Edition with sizable DLC, similar to what it did with Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Today’s Nintendo Direct confirmed exactly that, as Pikmin 4 Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy launches November 12, sold as a physical release and as a digital upgrade pack for anyone who already owns the game on Switch.
The headline feature is voice control for Oatchi, using the Switch 2’s built-in microphone to issue commands to the rescue pup and, per Nintendo, give him some well-earned praise. The other addition is Dandori Academy, a new mode built around collecting treasure as quickly as possible across a variety of stages. It comes with three difficulty levels, medals based on performance, and online leaderboards that show scores from friends and players worldwide. Exams run every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and Nintendo plans to release 72 Dandori Academy stages over time rather than all at once.
Nintendo hasn’t shared pricing for the physical version or the upgrade pack, and there’s no word yet on resolution or frame rate targets for the Switch 2 version. What’s confirmed is limited to the microphone feature and the new mode. Physical preorders open later today at the Nintendo Store and select retailers, and the upgrade pack is available to preorder on the Nintendo eShop.
As a newcomer to the series who put over 30 hours into Pikmin 4 back in 2023, I called it in my review a perfect entry point and one of the best-looking games on the original Switch, which is part of why I’ve been expecting Nintendo to give it the Switch 2 treatment.
