The National Times - Pikmin 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy Review: A Challenging New Era

Nintendo has released an updated version of Pikmin 4 for the Nintendo Switch 2, titled the "Pikmin 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy." The release introduces higher resolution visuals and a substantial new challenge mode designed to test players' strategic planning abilities. According to the publisher, this edition will receive new content well into next year.

The update addresses a common critique of the original Pikmin 4 release: that its streamlined interface and reduced emphasis on combat made it feel too easy compared to previous entries in the franchise. While the core game remains largely unchanged, the upgrade includes significant technical improvements. The resolution has been increased to 4K in TV mode, and players can now utilize GameShare for competitive play in the Dandori Battle mode. Additionally, the update allows users to issue voice commands to Oatchi, the dog-like companion, via the console's microphone.

The most significant addition is the "Dandori Academy," a new mode that shifts the focus from open-ended exploration to precise, timed execution. The term "dandori" is Japanese for forward planning and effective organization. While these skills are useful in the base game, they are essential for success in the Academy. The mode presents players with a set of six stages—two each at easy, normal, and hard difficulties—which must be completed in order to achieve a high score. Players can compare their results against online competitors.

The structure of the Academy mimics an academic setting. While players can practice the stages as often as they like, using tutorials to refresh their memory on controls if necessary, the official online score is derived from a single "exam." This exam period is limited; once it closes, the opportunity to earn that specific score is lost. This design encourages players to develop and refine a strategy beforehand rather than relying on trial and error during the timed event.

Nintendo has confirmed that new sets of stages will be released monthly over the course of this year and next. The total content update will include 72 new stages, delivered in batches of six. Players can earn various cosmetic trinkets based on their performance in these exams. Early reviews of the released stages suggest they are cleverly designed with varied obstacles and Pikmin limitations, with the hardest difficulties offering challenges that exceed anything found in the base game.

The original Pikmin 4, released previously, saw players control a small alien stranded on an Earth-like planet. The objective is to collect parts of a crashed ship and other items by commanding armies of plant-like Pikmin. These creatures come in various color schemes, each with specializations for fighting fauna, breaking obstacles, or navigating hazards like water and fire. While the franchise has historically been compared to real-time strategy games, Pikmin 4 moved away from complex puzzles toward a more accessible, "cosy" experience.

Despite the base game's lower difficulty, it retains moments of tension, particularly in the Dandori battles involving Leafling creatures. The new Academy mode aims to recapture the strategic depth that fans of earlier titles may have missed. For those interested in a more challenging, less open-ended version of the story mode, the Academy provides a unique and engaging twist on the core gameplay.

Looking ahead, Nintendo's plans for the Pikmin series remain somewhat unclear. Teases from last year appeared to point toward a new series of animated shorts rather than an immediate sequel like Pikmin 5. However, given that Pikmin 4 was the most commercially successful entry in the series, further development is expected.

The "Pikmin 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy" is available now for £58.99, with an upgrade pack priced at £7.99 for existing owners. The game carries a PEGI 3 age rating and was developed by Nintendo EPD and Eighting.

While the base game lacks the depth and puzzle complexity of its predecessors, the new edition offers a charming story campaign with impressive graphics and accessible controls. The Dandori Academy stands out as a highly interesting addition, providing a huge amount of content and play styles that justify the upgrade for dedicated fans.

S.M.Riley--TNT