Rumors surrounding Nintendo’s new console have been at play for a long time, and are finally starting to reach a fever pitch. Fans are incredibly curious to learn of the next iteration in the Nintendo Switch line, and talks of an imminent reveal have only increased the anticipation. One element of the supposed Nintendo Switch 2 that hasn’t been discussed as heavily is its prospective lineup of games, and whether Nintendo will be able to build as strong a library as it has with the current-generation Switch. With this in mind, Nintendo would be wise not to forget about the Pikmin series on the Switch 2.
2023 saw the release of Pikmin 4, which went on to be a rousing success for Nintendo, but its path to release was not as simple and clean as one might hope. With the new console on the horizon, it would be in Nintendo’s best interest to position Pikmin 5 as a heavy hitter in its first-party library.
Why Pikmin 4's Oatchi is the Perfect Companion for the Franchise
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Pikmin 5 Should Be A Bigger Deal For Nintendo
Pikmin Games Have Been Announced Very Early Before
The Pikmin series has a history of leaving long time gaps between announcement dates and release dates. For example, Pikmin 3 was announced for the first time at E3 2008, but would not see a proper release until 2013, five years later. It even jumped ahead a console generation, as its initial development began on the Wii before being moved to the Wii U around 2011.
Pikmin 4 was an even greater example of this, having been announced in 2015 but not seeing a release until 2023, an eight-year time gap. While in development, it was noted that the game was “a lower priority” for Nintendo, and it was even speculated to be vaporware at one point. It would be best if Nintendo didn’t let the same fate befall Pikmin 5, and if it was treated as a greater priority on the Switch 2.
Pikmin Has Exploded In Popularity For Nintendo
There’s good reason to make Pikmin a high priority as well, as the franchise has seen great success since coming over to the Switch. While the first three titles each sold a million copies, it wasn’t until 2020’s Pikmin 3 Deluxe that a game in the franchise became a multi-million seller. At the time, it outsold its Wii U iteration by over a million copies, and Pikmin started to hit an even greater stride as far as mainstream popularity.
Nowhere would this become clearer than with the long-awaited release of Pikmin 4, which quickly took the previous entry’s crown as the highest-selling entry in the franchise by a comfortable margin. With well over three million copies sold, fans have clearly shown Nintendo that there’s a huge demand for Pikmin. Perhaps the publisher should respond in kind by making sure those fans don’t have to wait nearly as long for Pikmin 5.
It would be best if Nintendo didn’t let the same fate befall Pikmin 5, and if it was treated as a greater priority on the Switch 2.
Nintendo Seems To Agree That Pikmin Fans Shouldn’t Have To Wait As Long
It also seems like Nintendo is aware of how long Pikmin 4 took and doesn’t want to repeat the cycle with the next entry. Takashi Tezuka, the producer of Pikmin 4, even noted in an interview that it would try its best not to keep fans waiting as long for Pikmin 5. Given that Pikmin 4 was once considered a “low priority,” it's important to ensure that fate doesn’t befall its successor, especially with the next Nintendo platform on the horizon.
Amidst all the Switch 2 rumors, the most important part of the system will be the games. The Nintendo Switch has succeeded in the way that it has thanks to its fantastic library of games, and surely, Nintendo is building just as strong a library for its next-generation platform. Here’s hoping the next Pikmin game becomes a major piece of that lineup, and here’s hoping fans don’t have to wait another eight years for it.
Pikmin 4
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 88 /100 Critics Rec: 96%
- Released
- July 21, 2023
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Pikmin
WHERE TO PLAY
Guide pint-sized creatures in an endearing expedition! Meet Pikmin: small, plantlike creatures with distinct abilities that you can grow, pluck, guide, and overpower enemies with! Use your Pikmin’s miniature might (and a bit of strategy) to explore this mysterious planet in search of your crew—and treasure.
Lead your loyal and curious squad To succeed, you’ll have to balance caring for the Pikmin with leading them into dangerous situations. Do your best out there!
Pikmin grow from pellets and wildlife that you can bring to your ship. Pluck them from the ground to have them join you. Go team!
Lead your squad through vast explorable areas to find treasures, discover new paths, and battle enemies of all sizes. You can also direct the Pikmin to collect and carry resources that are helpful for your mission. Up to three Pikmin types can be with you in the field at a time—the rest will hang back until you need them.
When their task is done, the Pikmin will wait in place for you. Get close and blow your whistle to summon them to your side! This handy action can also help you protect the Pikmin from danger, do a headcount, or simply bring them with you to your next task.
