Pikmin 4 Celebrates its 2nd Anniversary: Two Years of Strategy and Charm

July 21st, 2025 marks two years since the release of Pikmin 4 — Whether you're a veteran Pikmin player or a newcomer to the planet of PNF-404, it's hard to deny the impact Pikmin 4 had on both fans and the franchise.

Customizable Captains

For the first time in the series, Pikmin 4 lets players create their own captain. This wasn’t just a palette swap — it was full character customization. From facial features and hairstyles to body types and skin tones, players can make a space explorer that truly feels like theirs.

Oatchi: The Goodest Boy in the Galaxy

Of course, no look back at Pikmin 4 would be complete without mentioning its breakout star: Oatchi, the rescue pup!

More than just a sidekick, Oatchi is a full-on playable captain — and arguably the most game-changing addition. Oatchi can sniff out treasures, carry heavy loads, swim across water with your Pikmin riding on his back, and even fight enemies. As the game progresses, you can train Oatchi to become stronger, faster, and even smarter — eventually letting you swap between your custom captain and Oatchi.

New Mechanics and New Depth

Beyond the characters, Pikmin 4 introduced fresh mechanics that shook up the formula:

• Night Expeditions: For the first time, you can explore during nightfall — introducing tower-defense-style gameplay with Glow Pikmin and terrifying nocturnal enemies.

• Dandori Battles: These new special caves test your efficiency in collecting resources and Pikmin management. It's a clever way to challenge veterans and introduce new tactics.

• Expanded Base Camp System: With more freedom to explore, rest, and upgrade between missions, the game feels more immersive, allowing players to feel like they are making a true impact to their in-game home world and community

• Ice Pikmin & Glow Pikmin: New Pikmin types offered inventive ways to approach puzzles and enemies, such as freezing water or defending against swarms during nightfall

Impact and Legacy

In its first two years, Pikmin 4 has continued to attract new players, especially thanks to its charming art style, family-friendly appeal, and layered strategy.

It also brought Pikmin to a wider audience — from longtime Nintendo fans from the GameCube era to players who were introduced through Pikmin Bloom or even Super Smash Bros.

Pikmin 4 remains one of the Switch’s most inventive and lovingly crafted titles. It honored the DNA of the series while boldly pushing it forward — with your custom captain and Oatchi leading the charge.

Whether you're plucking your first Pikmin or orchestrating a perfect Dandori victory, now’s a perfect time to revisit Pikmin 4 and celebrate the strange, strategic joy of commanding a garden-sized army.

Happy 2nd Anniversary, Pikmin 4!

Written by Seth Kaliroff