We’re here for Oatchi.
After a decade since the last mainline title, Pikmin 4 is almost here – and it was looking great when we first saw gameplay earlier this year.
Hopefully we’ll get to see even more of our wee plant-pals at the next Nintendo Direct, which is taking place very shortly.
Shigeru Miyamoto revealed to the world back in 2015 that development for Pikin 4 was underway and was apparently not far from being launched.
Here we are eight years later, so clearly something went awry – but we’re glad to see it now with a new Ice Pikin and a dog-like creature to command.
In a curious departure from the usual Nintendo form, the game is utilising Epic’s Unreal Engine 4, perhaps shedding some light on technical issues faced by the developers along the way – but whatever the reason, it’s looking like it could be one of the most interesting titles on the Switch.
If you too like guiding little fellows to safety, then let us guide you to the rest of this article to discover all you need to know about the Pikin 4 release date, where to pre-order, the latest trailers and everything we know about the story and gameplay.
When is the Pikmin 4 release date?
The Pikmin 4 release date is Friday 21st July 2023, Nintendo has confirmed. Given that the game was confirmed some years ago and Nintendo kept quiet on it for ages, it’s nice to finally have that release date locked in. Fingers crossed it doesn’t get delayed.
Can I pre-order Pikmin 4?
Yes, you can pre-order Pikmin 4 at different retailers, including through GAME. It’s currently selling at RRP for £49.99.
It’s worth bearing in mind that as we near the 21st July release date, you may find it cheaper than £49.99. You can also pre-order the game digitally via the Nintendo eShop.
Which consoles and platforms can play Pikmin 4?
Pikmin 4 is a Nintendo Switch exclusive developed by Nintendo. It is not available on any other platform and, unless Nintendo has a massive and completely unprecedented change of heart, it will remain a Switch-exclusive game for the foreseeable future.
You won’t be playing this on PC, PS5 or Xbox Series X in any universe. The only way this game is playable on a console that isn’t the Switch is if it’s ported to a future Nintendo console.
Pikmin 4 gameplay and story details
!["Pikmin]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2023/03/Pikmin-4-release-date-gameplay-722f174.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"Pikmin")
In Pikmin 4, you appear to play as a new character who is part of a group of four wearing red suits. It’s unclear if you can swap between the four of them as you can with the three in Pikmin 3.
As far as we can gather from the single trailer, it will be up to this band of daring explorers to save castaways who got lost after they were sent out to search for seeds and other treasures.
When searching for these lost castaways, you will have to use your Pikmin as in other games to defeat enemies, solve puzzles and collect treasures. A new kind of Pikmin has been confirmed, too: the Ice Pikmin. This will be joining your army of Red, Blue, Yellow, White, Purple, Rock and Winged Pikmin.
Ice Pikmin can be used to freeze enemies and bodies of water — just don’t put them in a literal line of fire. That’s what the Red Pikmin are for. As in previous games, each type of Pikmin has its own strengths and weaknesses and you’ll need to collect and use the correct types against enemies and environmental puzzles.
Another major new gameplay feature is Oatchi. This dog-like creature is larger than you and your Pikmin. You can ride Oatchi and command it to complete tasks. A strong creature, Oatchi will swim you over bodies of water, charge through breakable objects, and carry items with the strength of 10 Pikmin.
Finally, the caves are returning, but it’s unclear if they are randomly generated as they are in Pikmin 2, and nighttime looks as though it could make enemies crazed/more aggressive. The Nintendo site also mentions that it is playable with up to two players, so expect there to be some kind of co-op/multiplayer mode as in previous entries.
Is there a Pikmin 4 trailer?
Yes! There is a Pikmin 4 trailer that shows off the game’s gorgeous visuals, story, gameplay, and release date. It’s perfect for those needing an overview of the game. Watch it below:
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