A First Look at Pikmin 4: Adorable Aliens, Intriguing Changes, and More

It feels like just yesterday that we heard game legend Shigeru Miyamoto share that the latest installment in the Pikmin franchise was almost at the finish line. Well, fast forward from 2015 to 2023, and the real-time strategy game's highly-anticipated trailer has dropped. And, oh boy, is it a sight to behold.

For some, the decade that separates the release of Pikmin 3 and the upcoming Pikmin 4 might seem substantial. But let's not forget that nine long years stretched between the releases of Pikmin 2 and Pikmin 3. The most devoted Pikmin fans, ever optimistic, aren't bothered in the slightest. Stephen Totilo of Kotaku perfectly captured this sentiment back in 2019, extolling the virtues of the game as a testament to Nintendo’s exceptional game design principles. The consensus among fans? A masterpiece like Pikmin 4 is worth the wait.

True to its predecessors, Pikmin 4 will continue to offer players control of a colorful array of Pikmin creatures. These adorable, bulbous aliens are your means to crack puzzles and vanquish enemies. The latest trailer, aptly named "Rise to the Occasion," gives us a sneak peek of a familiar face in distress: Captain Olimar. This time, our beloved bubble-nosed spacefarer is not the one to call the shots; he needs saving, along with a stranded rescue team.

"There is a beacon of hope,” the trailer’s announcer announces. "It's you—the Rescue Corp's newest recruit who's risen to the occasion. You can do it, brave explorer."

But here's where Pikmin 4 introduces an exciting twist. For the first time, we'll have a customizable character leading the charge. The character creator, teased in the trailer, lets you put your spin on the hero with editable features like skin color, facial features, and your ID badge. And the best part? You can make adjustments to your character's appearance and name as you progress in the game.

Pikmin Character Cusomization | Image: Nintendo

Now, I know many of you are wondering: what's in it for us if we pre-order? Unfortunately, the U.S. buyers don’t have any specific Pikmin 4 pre-order bonus to look forward to. However, for those of you in Hong Kong and Taiwan, there's a cute little perk — a Pikmin-branded drink cover with a miniature sprout sticking out. But don't let the lack of a pre-order bonus discourage you. The $60 game is available for pre-order right now and qualifies for a Nintendo Game Voucher. Plus, you can score a $10 discount on physical copy pre-orders from Super Shop using a GameSpot coupon. Just remember, your game will only ship on the day of release, July 21.

So, is the oven timer ready to ding on this fresh and wholesome Nintendo treat? One thing is certain: Pikmin 4 is gearing up to be a new adventure worth savoring. And we can't wait to meet your custom characters when the game launches this summer. Until then, let's keep our eyes peeled for more juicy Pikmin updates.