Nintendo expanded its lineup for the rumored Nintendo Switch 2 platform with a new version of Pikmin 4 announced during the September 2026 Nintendo Direct.
Pikmin 4 originally launched for Nintendo Switch on July 21, 2023; the title was developed by Nintendo EPD and continues the studio’s long-running strategy-adventure series created by Shigeru Miyamoto.
The headline addition for this release is “Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy.” Nintendo presented Dandori Academy as a time-focused game mode that tasks players with collecting treasure as quickly as possible across a variety of stages.
The publisher said the mode will include weekly exams on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, support online leaderboards, feature medals for performance, and offer three difficulty levels to master.
Nintendo also confirmed that 72 Dandori Academy stages will be rolled out over time.
In journalistic terms: Nintendo describes Dandori Academy as a rotating set of short, efficiency-focused challenges where players compete for the best clear times, earn medals for optimized runs and compare scores on global leaderboards, with scheduled exams appearing on weekends.
The Switch 2 Edition announcement reiterates core Pikmin 4 gameplay and new series additions introduced in 2023.
Players command swarms of Pikmin — small but powerful helpers — to explore environments, solve puzzles, battle wildlife and recover treasure.
Pikmin 4 reoriented camera perspective closer to the ground compared with earlier entries and added new Pikmin types and companions: Red Pikmin retain flame resistance and strong attacks; Ice Pikmin can freeze enemies and environmental hazards; new Glow Pikmin emit light and can stun foes in dark areas.
Oatchi, the series’ canine companion introduced in Pikmin 4, returns with abilities to smash obstacles, carry heavy objects and transport the player and multiple Pikmin on his back.
Nintendo’s Direct also highlighted subterranean cave systems where time flows differently, night expeditions that increase enemy aggression and a competitive Dandori Battles mode for local head-to-head efficiency contests.
A trailer for the new edition was shown during the presentation.
For players tracking availability, Nintendo has not provided a specific release date for the Switch 2 Edition in the Direct segment covered here; interested players should watch official Nintendo channels and the eShop for further updates and release details.
Pikmin 4 originally launched for Nintendo Switch on July 21, 2023; the title was developed by Nintendo EPD and continues the studio’s long-running strategy-adventure series created by Shigeru Miyamoto.
The headline addition for this release is “Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy.” Nintendo presented Dandori Academy as a time-focused game mode that tasks players with collecting treasure as quickly as possible across a variety of stages.
The publisher said the mode will include weekly exams on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, support online leaderboards, feature medals for performance, and offer three difficulty levels to master.
Nintendo also confirmed that 72 Dandori Academy stages will be rolled out over time.
In journalistic terms: Nintendo describes Dandori Academy as a rotating set of short, efficiency-focused challenges where players compete for the best clear times, earn medals for optimized runs and compare scores on global leaderboards, with scheduled exams appearing on weekends.
The Switch 2 Edition announcement reiterates core Pikmin 4 gameplay and new series additions introduced in 2023.
Players command swarms of Pikmin — small but powerful helpers — to explore environments, solve puzzles, battle wildlife and recover treasure.
Pikmin 4 reoriented camera perspective closer to the ground compared with earlier entries and added new Pikmin types and companions: Red Pikmin retain flame resistance and strong attacks; Ice Pikmin can freeze enemies and environmental hazards; new Glow Pikmin emit light and can stun foes in dark areas.
Oatchi, the series’ canine companion introduced in Pikmin 4, returns with abilities to smash obstacles, carry heavy objects and transport the player and multiple Pikmin on his back.
Nintendo’s Direct also highlighted subterranean cave systems where time flows differently, night expeditions that increase enemy aggression and a competitive Dandori Battles mode for local head-to-head efficiency contests.
A trailer for the new edition was shown during the presentation.
For players tracking availability, Nintendo has not provided a specific release date for the Switch 2 Edition in the Direct segment covered here; interested players should watch official Nintendo channels and the eShop for further updates and release details.
