Nintendo has released an updated version of Pikmin 4 for the Switch 2, featuring higher resolution visuals and a new challenge mode called Dandori Academy, which is set to receive new content well into next year. The upgrade is priced at £7.99 for existing owners, or £58.99 as a standalone purchase.
The Switch 2 Edition increases the resolution to 4K in TV mode and adds GameShare support for the competitive Dandori Battle mode, along with voice commands for the dog-like companion Oatchi. However, the most significant addition is the Dandori Academy mode, which directly addresses a key criticism of the original release: its low difficulty.
A New Mode Designed for Challenge
Dandori Academy presents players with a set of six stages, split into two each of easy, normal, and hard difficulty. The goal is to achieve the highest possible score and compare it against other online players. Players can practice as often as they like, but their official online score comes from a one-off exam, with a set exam period after which retakes become impossible.
The mode encourages forward planning and effective organisation, concepts central to the Japanese term 'dandori'. The stages already released are described as cleverly designed and nicely varied, with the hardest ones being several steps beyond anything in the base game.
Planned Content and Future Updates
Nintendo has promised 72 new stages in total, released in batches of six each month. This rolling release schedule is intended to keep players engaged, with new sets of stages due over the course of this year and next. Players earn various cosmetic trinkets based on their performance.
While the base game remains unchanged, the Dandori Academy mode offers a more challenging, less open-ended version of Pikmin 4's gameplay. The review notes that the original's streamlined interface and reduced combat emphasis made it feel more like a cosy game than a complex puzzle or real-time strategy title.
Verdict and Pricing
The review concludes that the Switch 2 Edition is the best version of the most recent Pikmin entry, worth the upgrade for those who already own the game. The Dandori Academy mode is described as a unique concept for console games, with nothing else quite like it currently available.
The game scores 8/10, with praise for its charming story campaign, accessible controls, and impressive graphics, while noting the base game's lack of challenge and less depth compared to previous entries. The release date is set for 12th November 2026, published by Nintendo and developed by Nintendo EPD and Eighting.
