Nintendo has announced Pikmin 4 — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy, a native release for the company’s next hybrid console.
Revealed during the September 9, 2026 Nintendo Direct and detailed in a Nintendo of America press release, the Switch 2 edition arrives on November 12, 2026.
Pikmin 4 was originally developed by Nintendo EPD and first launched on Nintendo Switch in July 2023; this new edition brings additional content and platform-specific features for the Switch 2 hardware.
Dandori Academy: a structured, time-limited competitive mode
Nintendo described Dandori Academy as an all-new mode built around short, skill-based exams.
Players will face weekly challenges designed to maximize treasure collected within a strict time limit.
Nintendo clarified that exam challenges will be available only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and each exam grants a single attempt per rotation.
The company also confirmed it will roll out 72 distinct challenges over time following launch.
Microphone control and platform-specific improvements
The Switch 2 edition includes platform-specific features: players can use the Switch 2 microphone to issue verbal commands to Oatchi, allowing direct voice-driven control of the companion on-screen.
Nintendo presented footage of Oatchi responding to spoken instructions during the Direct broadcast, highlighting how the title integrates the new console’s audio input.
Purchase options, pre-orders, and upgrade path
Pre-orders for Pikmin 4 — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy are live at launch announcement, and Nintendo confirmed a physical retail edition will be available.
For existing Pikmin 4 owners on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo is offering an upgrade pack to move to the Switch 2 edition; the company has made that upgrade available for pre-order as well.
Context and developer pedigree
Pikmin 4 continues the series developed by Nintendo EPD, following the franchise’s debut in 2001 and Pikmin 3’s later porting history.
The Switch 2 edition positions Pikmin 4 as a marquee title for Nintendo’s new hardware, combining the base game with a curated series of competitive challenges and new input methods.
Source: Nintendo of America press release and Nintendo Direct broadcast (September 9, 2026).
Revealed during the September 9, 2026 Nintendo Direct and detailed in a Nintendo of America press release, the Switch 2 edition arrives on November 12, 2026.
Pikmin 4 was originally developed by Nintendo EPD and first launched on Nintendo Switch in July 2023; this new edition brings additional content and platform-specific features for the Switch 2 hardware.
Dandori Academy: a structured, time-limited competitive mode
Nintendo described Dandori Academy as an all-new mode built around short, skill-based exams.
Players will face weekly challenges designed to maximize treasure collected within a strict time limit.
Nintendo clarified that exam challenges will be available only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and each exam grants a single attempt per rotation.
The company also confirmed it will roll out 72 distinct challenges over time following launch.
Microphone control and platform-specific improvements
The Switch 2 edition includes platform-specific features: players can use the Switch 2 microphone to issue verbal commands to Oatchi, allowing direct voice-driven control of the companion on-screen.
Nintendo presented footage of Oatchi responding to spoken instructions during the Direct broadcast, highlighting how the title integrates the new console’s audio input.
Purchase options, pre-orders, and upgrade path
Pre-orders for Pikmin 4 — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy are live at launch announcement, and Nintendo confirmed a physical retail edition will be available.
For existing Pikmin 4 owners on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo is offering an upgrade pack to move to the Switch 2 edition; the company has made that upgrade available for pre-order as well.
Context and developer pedigree
Pikmin 4 continues the series developed by Nintendo EPD, following the franchise’s debut in 2001 and Pikmin 3’s later porting history.
The Switch 2 edition positions Pikmin 4 as a marquee title for Nintendo’s new hardware, combining the base game with a curated series of competitive challenges and new input methods.
Source: Nintendo of America press release and Nintendo Direct broadcast (September 9, 2026).
