Nintendo celebrated its newly designated Pikmin Day with a special Pikmin Day Direct on October 31, 2026, outlining updates for Pikmin 4 and Pikmin Bloom alongside a new series of animated shorts. Shigeru Miyamoto warned before the presentation that it would not include news about a new game, but Nintendo still packed the broadcast with a free Pikmin 4 demo, 72 planned Dandori Academy stages, voice commands for Oatchi, Pikmin Bloom’s Secret Caves, and more.
The biggest immediate update is for Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy, which launches November 12. Pikmin Bloom players also have a substantial winter update ahead, while Nintendo plans to continue Pikmin Day programming on November 1 with a Treehouse stream.
November 1 Is Now Pikmin Day
Nintendo will recognize November 1 as Pikmin Day beginning this year. Miyamoto explained that the date draws on the three original Pikmin colors—red, blue, and yellow—which appeared in the first game in 2001. Standing together, the trio evokes the three “1” figures in 11/1.
The franchise has expanded well beyond those original colors, with nine Pikmin types now introduced across the series. Nintendo also briefly highlighted the four mainline games—Pikmin, Pikmin 2, Pikmin 3 Deluxe, and Pikmin 4—all of which can be played across Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.
Pikmin 4 Switch 2 Edition Gets a Free Demo
A free demo for Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy launches November 2 on Nintendo Switch 2. It includes the opening Sunspeckled Terrace area from Pikmin 4 plus two stages from the new Dandori Academy mode. Save progress from the demo can transfer to the full game.
The complete Nintendo Switch 2 edition launches November 12, 2026. Players who already own Pikmin 4 on Nintendo Switch can purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 Upgrade Pack for $9.99 in the United States.
Beyond the new Dandori Academy content, the Switch 2 version features higher-resolution visuals. It also expands Dandori Battles through GameShare, allowing another player to join without owning the game. GameShare works locally and can also be used online through GameChat where supported.
Dandori Academy Includes 72 Challenge Stages
Dandori Academy builds a larger challenge mode around the series’ efficiency-focused play. Each time-limited stage asks players to collect treasure as quickly and effectively as possible, rewarding route planning, smart Pikmin selection, and practice.
Players can repeat stages to improve their approach before taking an official weekly exam. Exams are held on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and players receive one attempt to put their preparation to the test. Results award medals, while online rankings make it possible to compare scores with other players.
Nintendo plans to release 72 Dandori Academy stages over time. That makes the mode more than a small collection of side challenges: it is designed as an ongoing test of how efficiently players can organize their Pikmin and complete objectives under pressure.
Oatchi Can Respond to Voice Commands
Nintendo Switch 2’s built-in microphone enables another new feature: spoken commands for Oatchi. Players can call out instructions to Pikmin 4’s canine companion instead of relying only on standard controls.
Nintendo did not announce broader voice-control functionality for the game, so the feature is specifically tied to issuing commands to Oatchi. Along with GameShare support and the visual upgrade, it is one of the Switch 2-specific additions accompanying Dandori Academy.
Pikmin Bloom Secret Caves Are Coming This Winter
Pikmin Bloom will add Secret Caves this winter, introducing an underground treasure-hunting activity to the mobile game. According to the official Secret Caves announcement, players need Cave Maps to begin an expedition. Those maps may sometimes appear alongside postcards.
After obtaining a map, players can send a large group of Pikmin underground. The squad moves through the cave automatically until it encounters familiar creatures from the Pikmin series. During those battles, players direct their Pikmin to attack and can blow the whistle to call them back when danger approaches.
Secret Caves will not permanently remove Pikmin that take too much damage. Affected Pikmin temporarily leave the battle and recover after some time. Defeating creatures can reveal hidden treasure, and discoveries are recorded in a new Treasure Catalog.
Nintendo has announced only a winter release window for Secret Caves. No exact launch date was given during the presentation.
Pikmin 4 Connects With Pikmin Bloom
The new Pikmin 4 edition also connects with Pikmin Bloom through unlockable rewards. Meeting supported requirements in Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy can provide special Cave Maps and postcards for Pikmin Bloom, as well as a Pikmin 4 Oatchi-Rider Costume for the player’s Mii.
The connection gives players an additional reason to take part in Dandori Academy while tying the console release to Secret Caves. Nintendo has not suggested that Pikmin Bloom is required to play the Switch 2 edition; the announced benefits are rewards for players who use both games.
Nintendo Announces Hello! Pikmin Animated Shorts
Hello! Pikmin is a new series of original animated shorts produced with Nintendo Pictures. The first video was shown as part of the Pikmin Day programming, with another short scheduled for November 1 and one more planned for later in November.
Beginning in December, Nintendo plans to release approximately one new Hello! Pikmin short per month. The shorts will appear through Nintendo Today! and other official Nintendo channels. Hello! Pikmin is an animation project, not a newly announced game.
Nintendo Treehouse Will Show More Pikmin 4
Pikmin Day programming continues November 1 with Nintendo Treehouse Plays: Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy. The stream begins at 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET and will provide another look at the release before its November 12 launch.
Nintendo’s Japanese presentation also mentioned Pikmin Bloom Journey in Kobe, a paid real-world event scheduled for November 21–22, 2026, in Kobe, Japan. The Japan-specific event is separate from the global in-game Secret Caves update.
No New Pikmin Game Was Announced
Despite the range of updates, Nintendo did not announce Pikmin 5 or any other new Pikmin game. Miyamoto made that clear before the Pikmin Day Direct, telling viewers that the presentation would not contain information about new games.
The broadcast instead focused on expanding current Pikmin experiences: the November 12 Switch 2 edition of Pikmin 4, its November 2 demo and Dandori Academy mode, the winter Secret Caves update for Pikmin Bloom, and a continuing schedule of animated shorts.
Which Pikmin Day announcement are you most excited about?
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