This week's Nintendo Direct certainly made waves in the world of Pikmin fans. Nintendo made good on its promise, providing an in-depth preview of the much-anticipated Pikmin 4, coupled with the exciting announcement of a free demo slated for release on the 28th of June.
Overview
This time around, you, as a new member of the Rescue Corps, find yourself crash-landed on an uncharted planet, with nothing but some Pikmin pals and a canine companion named Oatchi (or should we say, pupmin) by your side. Your mission? Fix your broken spaceship and save the stranded members of the Rescue Corps using scattered items like spare parts, timepieces, and even a Game Boy Advance SP to spruce up your ride.
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Gameplay
Staying true to its roots, Pikmin 4 retains the core gameplay of its predecessors, where the industrious Pikmin collaborate to transport objects. The addition of Oatchi lends some fresh energy to the team, contributing muscle to remove barriers, the ability to swim and combat skills.
You can enhance Oatchi's abilities further by upgrading your spaceship and rescuing more cadets marooned on the planet.
But wait, there's more! You're not just confined to exploring the great outdoors. Expect to do some indoor spelunking within people's houses.
Pikmin 4 has also taken a page from another recent Nintendo success, allowing you to delve into subterranean areas. Be on the lookout for an Olimar look-alike roaming about with his own pupmin sidekick. These characters form the centerpiece of Dandori Battles, where you compete to gather the most objects within a given timeframe.
The game introduces a brand-new exploration feature — nocturnal expeditions. Traditionally a no-go in Pikmin games (remember, the night is teeming with danger), Pikmin 4 allows you to venture into the darkness. Sure, it's filled with some particularly irate foes, but you'll also discover a new ally: the luminous Glow Pikmin.
So there you have it — our first detailed look at Pikmin 4. With its stunning graphics and an array of fresh elements to play with, we're itching to navigate the perils and joys of this new planet with the Rescue Corps.
The release date for Pikmin 4 is July 21, 2023!
In other exciting Pikmin-related news from Nintendo's Direct event, Pikmin 1 & 2 have officially launched on the Switch, with a physical bundle set to be released in the following weeks. Hold on to your game controllers, folks, because this year's going to be a wild ride for all Pikmin enthusiasts!
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