New Pikmin 4 Details and Gameplay Revealed During Nintendo Direct 2023

Pikmin 4 got a raft of new details and gameplay during Nintendo Direct 2023.

Pikmin 4, the first mainline Pikmin game since 2013’s Pikmin 3, features a Dandori Battle mini-game in which you have to collect more items than your opponent to save the castaways. Your dog friend, Oatchi, can carry items, smash obstacles, and even become a floatation device. Collect treasures, such as a Game Boy Advance, scattered around the planet to fix your ship’s radar.

In the past Pikmin games you had to return to your spaceship before sundown. In a first for the series, PIkmin 4 lets you set out for night expeditions. New glow Pikmin only appear at night.

Here’s the official line from Nintendo on Pikmin 4:

“Welcome to the Rescue Corps. In this game, you are the newest recruit, and you’ll customize your character before setting off to meet the capable Rescue Pup Oatchi and the plant-like creatures called Pikmin. New to the series? Don’t worry – this is a great entry point for anyone that wants to learn more about Pikmin. Collect treasures around the planet to fix the Rescue Corp’s spaceship’s radar and open new areas to explore, including underground caves, where a completely different environment from the surface awaits.

“Pikmin 4 also features Dandori Battles – try to collect more objects than your opponent within the time limit to win and save the castaway. Plus, for the first time in the Pikmin series, you can eventually set out for night expeditions. But nightfall sends creatures into a frenzy, so stay alert. Thankfully, you’ll come across the new Glow Pikmin to drive them away. Much more awaits on this uncharted planet.”

Nintendo announced a Pikmin 4 demo comes out on the eShop June 28. Meanwhile, Nintendo announced HD versions of the first two Pikmin games are available today from the eShop. Here’s the official line on those:

“HD versions of the first two Pikmin games, originally released on the Nintendo GameCube system, will launch in Nintendo eShop and in the My Nintendo Store on Nintendo.com later today. The games will be available individually or in a digital bundle that contains both games at a discounted price. A physical version that includes both games will also be available on Sep 22. With the inclusion of these two games on Nintendo Switch, all four main games in the Pikmin series – Pikmin 1, Pikmin 2, Pikmin 3 and, as of July 21, Pikmin 4 – will be playable on one system.”

In case you missed it, here’s everything announced during Nintendo Direct June 2023.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].