Pikmin 4

I went from liking Pikmin to loving Pikmin with Pikmin 4. It’s just one of those games that I think is near flawless. It may have lost some of its difficulty, but I think all the things we gained in exchange are worth it.

Pikmin 4 is, to put it simply, Pikmin at its best.

Pikmin 4 is an absolute delight. It’s packed full of humor and charm and never failed to put a smile on my face. Whether you’re a hardened fan or a newcomer to the franchise, there’s plenty to love in this imaginative, morbid, satisfying sequel.

The story powers along at a gentle pace and can be a bit annoying, meaning a lot of dialogue skipping for me. But the gameplay itself is great - easy to get while complicated to conquer - and that 3rd person visual across a gloriously designed cartoon world can be beautiful. Its urge for exploration is everywhere and really helps to distinguish this away from other Switch titles.

Pikmin 4 fills itself and your time with a rich array of things to do, things to find, goals to chase and places to explore. It may start slow, but when it all comes together, it really does sing. It preserves the series' oddities - it doubles down on them in some regards - and yet opens the series up in a way Pikmin has never managed previously. It's a fine reward for a decade of fan patience and a lot of thought by Nintendo's top brass on how best to continue after Pikmin 3. It's a skillful evolution of a series which has been left feeling a little overlooked for too long. Is this Pikmin's true breakthrough moment? Who knows. But without a doubt it's one of Nintendo's best games in years.

After what seems like forever, we’ve finally got Pikmin 4 and it does not disappoint. Head into the undergrowth armed with a planty platoon and your trusty dog Oatchi to uncover mystery and treasures in a delightful adventure.

While there are some areas of of Pikmin 4 that have played it safe, and stuck to the established (and proven successful) formula, there are other aspects of Pikmin 4 that have done what fans have been pleading out for for years, and these evolutions and additions make Pikimin 4 definitively the best in the franchise.

Still, that aside, Pikmin 4 is an extraordinary experience. It’s the coziest installment in the series, especially since some of the new features eliminate the deadline pressure and other stressors from past installments.

Pikmin 4 is simply a brilliant game that has far exceeded all my expectations. Its impressive level design, refined core gameplay, enchanting story, and extremely sophisticated audiovisual presentation make it a game that is very hard not to enjoy and one that can hardly be found with serious errors. Nintendo and the team that Miyamoto left in charge of his highly prized creation, understood perfectly what makes the series so special and in a way that I frankly don't understand, they found clear areas for improvement and innovation to deliver a well-rounded experience.

Pikmin may be a somewhat overlooked Nintendo franchise, but it’s also consistently one of their best. Pikmin 4 is arguably the best game in the series, making it a perfect place for newcomers to start. And if you’ve played the previous games, it’s a fantastic reward for your patience between releases.

This is probably the best game in a criminally underrated series by Nintendo. Almost every gameplay element was handled with care, with very few mishaps. I know it really doesn't look like it, but Pikmin 4 is a game for hardcore gamers that are willing to dig deep to find one of the most fulfilling and exciting games out there.

Pikmin 4 is a deviously addictive and clever adventure, perfect for newcomers and experienced players alike. These sprouts may have taken a long time to grow, but this bounty was definitely worth the wait.

With the exception of the forced “Dandori Battles,” the game is an absolute joy to play filled with fun story twists, silly characters, and a fantastic art design. Pikmin 4 has taken everything good from the first three games, removed everything that doesn’t work, and somehow adds new things that make the over all experience something beyond what I could have expected from a Pikmin game.

As I was playing through Pikmin 4 and things really started to click, I thought to myself (with a smile on my face) - "I just want to play this forever."

Pikmin 4 is the culmination of all that’s come before it, modernised in a truly magical way. There is so much to do, it’s hard to think anyone wouldn’t find fun here.

Pikmin 4 is one of the best real-time strategy games I've ever played. The fun of exploring its zones, its large amount of collectibles, the strategy behind the Dandori battles and how adorable and useful Oatchi is are just some of the features that make this installment an outstanding game.

In the same interview quoted at the beginning, Shigeru Miyamoto guaranteed: "The Pikmin teams are always busy with the next chapter". We hope that with this fourth episode, the Nintendo series will finally reach a large audience in Europe as well. Obviously, the genre it belongs to makes Pikmin an IP far from the commercial potential of other Kyoto giants, such as Mario or The Legend of Zelda, but for our part we can't wait to find out what Pikmin 5 will come up with.

Nintendo has grown and evolved the Pikmin franchise to become one of their best franchises with Pikmin 4. Excellent in terms of visuals and very accessible to all audiences, it is an entertaining, relaxing, and immersive game that will put your organizational skills into practice in a hyper-realistic and charming world.

Pikmin 4 is not so much better than its predecessor, but it is more. In terms of gameplay, variety of levels and puzzles, upgrades and creature types, the delicious Pikmin formula is pushed to the max in this phenomenal sequel. Dandori is my new way of life.

Pikmin 4 marks the return of one of Nintendo's most beloved series, and this return could not have happened in a better way. Thanks to its exquisite audiovisual world, slick gameplay mechanics, an enveloping strategic component, and the adorable relationship between the player and the little alien creatures, Pikmin 4 is nothing short of a jewel on the crown of the Nintendo Switch.

As a newcomer (mostly) to the series, Pikmin 4 has been fantastic to experience. It oozes charm, and I love how it eased me into the action throughout the campaign. While Pikmin 3 Deluxe didn't click with me, I'm glad I got into the series with Pikmin 4, and will be playing Pikmin 1 and 2 in the near future on Switch. This is a gem, and another essential from Nintendo in 2023.

Pikmin has secretly belonged to the pantheon of Nintendo series for more than two decades. Secretly, because it never managed to reach the general public like Mario, Zelda and Pokémon. Volume four proves once again what a shame that is. The great level design, the colorful world, refined gameplay and the many innovations are the epitome of Dandori: the quickest and most efficient way to fun.

Oatchi – a cute dog that learns new abilities throughout the game – was all that the Pikmin series needed to become more approachable. The series’ wide array of gameplay elements are implemented in the story, and some of them are tough enough to make even fans of the series feel challenged. Pikmin 4 is a great game that can satisfy both fans and newcomers alike.

Pikmin 4 will please players from all ages, whether they're longtime fans or not. With few hours of main story, anyone can get lost in the huge levels and in the cuteness of its characters. But even allowing a lot of freedom, the game may leave players feeling stuck on repetitive missions.

A game that is clearly the pinnacle of the Pikmin series. A near-perfect adventure that blends the best of the old Pikmin games.

Pikmin 4 is the most accessible and addictive installment of the entire saga. It has beautiful and varied maps and many things to do. All these gameplay mechanics make it an experience that you keep playing time after time. Although sometimes it comes to feel too simple for his good.

Pikmin 4 is an example of a perfect sequel. The designers introduced relatively small changes which turned out to be crucial in terms of gameplay, thus proving that you don’t need a revolution to create a game that lets fans rediscover the series.

Pikmin 4 almost always had fun surprises in store with me for each day’s adventures. Every biome, cave, and challenge brought about new threats and surprises, and my versatility between my own upgrades and those to Oatchi and our Pikmin made sure we almost always had new and fun ways to approach each situation. Pikmin 4 does a good job of retracing steps in the series, bringing back features that players liked, and making them feel good in the new setting. It also keeps the new adventure compelling with fun objectives and loads of secrets. Oatchi is a clear contender for Shacknews Best Pet of 2023, and Pikmin 4 might just be the best blend of charming and intense that I’ve played all year.

Pikmin 4 is everything I could’ve wanted from a new Pikmin game and more. It is simultaneously a return to form with a heavy focus on Dandori and also a leap forward with entirely new mechanics and big improvements to returning mechanics. There are some flaws—nighttime missions are a drag and the early tutorials are dreadfully slow—but those warts don’t outweigh everything Pikmin 4 manages to achieve. This is a new standard for Pikmin; all we can do now is hope it doesn’t take another ten years for Pikmin 5.

Pikmin fans should of course dive in, as even with a gentler touch on the main road there are plenty of intriguing side lanes that will satisfy. A superb experience all around.

Overall, Pikmin 4 is a great and fun time. This is the most beautiful game yet in the series and the best-looking Switch game to date. Plenty of new features elevate the Pikmin formula but also take some steps back in key areas. Being able to create your character is fun, and I love all the charming character conversations. The night mode and new Pikmin are also a welcome addition, adding variety to the series. By far, the best addition is Oatchi and all the abilities you can upgrade.

Pikmin 4 is a triumphant return for one of Nintendo’s most delightful series. The focus on dandori feels like a revelation that lets everything click together so well you’ll want to sneak in just one more day. It may be a tad too easy, but the real challenge is completing the game quickly and efficiently. This is a gorgeous and engaging title that’s surprisingly lengthy, and another feather in the Switch’s cap.

While every Pikmin game has followed the winning formula that was established two decades ago, each has added its own tweaks here and there. Pikmin 4 seems to have taken the biggest leap in that regard, and yet everything feels like a logical and fitting next step. The core of the gameplay is the same and provides the hours of whimsical RTS challenge and fun that fans expect, while the new modes and mechanics keep it from feeling stale. Every mainline game has been an improvement on the last, and Pikmin 4 is no exception. Other than the co-op, there’s really nothing negative about the game, besides perhaps the loading times. But it’s really a testament to how great Pikmin 4 is that waiting 30 seconds to get back into it is too long.

There is nothing out there that plays or feels quite like Pikmin. This might be part of the reason why it hasn't "exploded more in sales," as Shigeru Miyamoto put it in a July Nintendo Ask the Developer interview, pertaining to, though not directly, a little bit of that "difficulty" he describes. It could also be posited that there is a factor of abstraction to being the sole agent in control of every facet of one's own fate (a factor that was attributed erroneously to The Last Guardian as a criticism, too), preventing it from mass appeal. It's not helped by the fact that Pikmin 4 has been put out at a time relatively close to Nintendo's behemoth The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and an otherwise already hugely stacked year for video games. Make no mistake about it, though, Pikmin 4 is one of the best video game releases of 2023.

Pikmin 4 is a tiny titan, another triumph from Nintendo on a console that has gradually become the best place to play many of its most esteemed franchises. It looks great, plays great, and should appeal to all players regardless of their Pikmin proficiency. With captivating gameplay, a beefy postgame and tons of things to collect, this game has earned its place as one of the best Nintendo games in years.

A perfect entry point for newcomers, and a delightful return for experienced players.

The ultimate Pikmin experience, not very hard, not very long, but crafted with care and passion for one of Big N's smartest franchises. Well done.

Pikmin 4 is the best the series has produced so far. It brings with it elements that have worked before to give us a complete package that keeps the magic of Pikmin alive.

From the very beginning until reaching the postgame, I never had anything less than a blast with Pikmin 4. While we may have waited a long time for the latest installment in this wonderful series, the wait was worth it. With several cool new types of Pikmin, an excellent new canine companion, and more variety than ever, this is easily the best installment in the series. It won’t necessarily change the minds of anyone who has bounced off past games in the series, but if you’ve remotely enjoyed any of the games or are new to Pikmin you should absolutely give Pikmin 4 a try.

Pikmin 4 brings back a storied franchise in a way that will appeal to players both old and new. The significant amount of freedom allows players to craft their own journey with so much to be discovered. New modern tools help assist players by making the experience more streamlined without ever feeling like hand-holding.

Pikmin 4 is well worth the long wait, and the best iteration of this unique and charming strategy series to date.

Pikmin 4 feels so much different than that with such an inviting urge to pull in new players to this world where they can be their own individual and be a part of the crew looking to save their friends and allies and work alongside these mysterious plant creatures to make it out alive. The biggest accomplishment of Pikmin 4 is the fact that it’s so packed full of fun that it’s hard to stop playing. This is not a title that should be missed out on by Pikmin fans or those who have been waiting to finally try it out.

Pikmin 4 is one of the best Switch experiences I’ve had. There’s an addictive gameplay cycle where every moment spent playing is rewarded with vast new areas to explore and tools to discover. Further, the added Dandori Battles for multiplayer and rankings provides appreciated replayablity. The expanded narrative isn’t overbearing on the experience, and Oatchi only adds to the overall charm found during every moment of gameplay. Sure, the lengthy opening tutorial isn’t completely necessary, but getting past that reveals one of the most wholesome gaming experiences you’ll have this year.

After a full decade of absence, Pikmin is back! With new areas to explore, new Pikmin and more strategy, Pikmin 4 is gearing up to becoming this summer’s most popular game. Some hiccups might t show up here and there but despite this, Pikmin 4 can safely guarantee many hours of exploration, battles, collections all in Dandori style.

Pikmin 4, despite some minor flaws, is the classic video game experience that you would never want to stop playing and remains in many ways the best episode in the series.

The closer camera, the new controls and the revamped progression system, with gradual acquisition of upgrades for the onions, our astronaut and his canine companion, make for another kind of adventure. A more relaxed and accessible one, but also one that still preserves that Nintendo touch. Not always easy to put into words, but evident as soon as you pick up the controller.

Pikmin 4 is THE game of the summer, that's for sure. It's fresh, affordable, cute as can be and quickly addictive. Yes, it uses the same ingredients as ten years ago and the new features can be counted on the fingers of one hand, but they all hit the nail on the head and are even enough to allow us to enjoy the journey without getting bored. The icing on the cake is that Pikmin 4 hides a few secrets at the very end that should satisfy fans of the franchise, but it also boasts a solid and highly entertaining multiplayer mode that would be a shame to underestimate. As a bonus, it's playable with just one Switch, so it's perfect for travel and holidays. Pikmin 4 is a real success.

Quotation forthcoming.

Although the first Pikmin seem too surly in their gameplay, this experience is much more pleasant without "insulting" our gaming capacity. In addition, it is much more beautiful and enormously varied. It has it all, explorers.

Pikmin 4 is simply the biggest, most ambitious and good-looking title of the franchise yet: it offers the well known and loved gameplay of the series with a lot of twists and surprises, and at least three times the content squeezed in Pikmin 3. Definitely a must play for Switch owners.

Pikmin 4 keeps the solid gameplay foundations of the chapters that preceded it intact, however adding to the original formula a series of (small) innovations capable of making the game even more fun and satisfying. A strategic management suitable for all tastes, from those who like to take things lightly just for fun to those who prefer to go deeper and test themselves by completing the missions in the most complete and efficient way possible.

My love for Pikmin 4 only grew stronger the more I played. This is a great Pikmin entry to delve into as a newcomer and all the new features and characters should offer enough of a change to seasoned Pikmin players. The animation is incredibly endearing and creates a wonderful atmosphere throughout the game. The creepier sections may be too overwhelming for very young players but will be highly appreciated by older gamers. If you don’t mind a breezy game that doesn’t offer up much of a challenge, I implore you to check out Pikmin 4 and see what these cutesy little creatures have to offer.

Pikmin is Nintendo's ugly duckling. The idea of having plants that act like worker ants, of different colors and qualities, isn't all that appealing. Funnily enough, it works: I surrendered to the gameplay, creativity, lightness and relaxation that Pikmin 4 manages to deliver. Admittedly, there is still work to be done on other components, such as strengthening the cooperative mode, local and online, in order to offer a more interesting shared experience for all players. Still, the solo story mode made me feel the Nintendo magic again, the one I felt when I first played Pokémon, Super Mario, Wario or Zelda. It's a title that proves how little our age matters in the face of a game, only mattering how it makes us feel.

Pikmin 4 is a sequel lives up to the saga, an expansion that naturally integrates a greater amount of content, presenting new mechanics that, through Ochín, enable the creation of new challenges. A must have for the fan of the saga, and a great sequel which is perfectly capable of attracting new looks.

With the progression and gameplay tweaks, Nintendo EPD manages to make playing something we had played many times before more fun and interesting. It also looks and sounds much better, and together with its innate charm and its unique proposal, it just became the game of the summer for me.

It all combines to create the most approachable Pikmin entry ever. It's not removing the challenge entirely though, as there are plenty of moments that force you to make quick decisions or make small Pikmin sacrifices in the name of the greater good – or greater Dandori. The later stages of Pikmin 4 are formidable if you're looking for 100% completion, and with my current play time now sitting at almost 50 hours, there's plenty here to see and do and so much fun to be had along the way.

The Pikmin series has always been one of my personal favourites of Nintendo’s, delivering something not only unique in their long-illustrious catalogue but the industry as a whole. And with each new entry managing to improve on the last, Pikmin 4 had a lot to live up to, high expectations, particularly from a fan like myself. Yet, somehow Nintendo has raised the bar once again creating perhaps its biggest and most well-rounded Pikmin adventure yet.

In a year with dozens of game releases of massive scale and scope, it's easy for a relatively calming game like Pikmin 4 to be overlooked. But Pikmin 4 is a fantastic reminder that sometimes, games that are simply charming, cozy, and small can still have a massive impact.

Nintendo's Pikmin 4 beautifully builds upon the franchise’s quirky strategy formula to deliver new mechanics and dense locales that make you feel even more like an interplanetary explorer.

When it comes to iterating on the standard Pikmin gameplay established by the first release, Pikmin 4 is the smoothest, best-controlling, best-looking version, and all the additions are worthwhile and fun to play. The variety of tasks, which you can tackle in the order of your choice, prevents you from doing the same thing for too long, and I enjoyed saving other survivors and expanding my home base roster. Pikmin may never rise to the top of the Nintendo heap, and it’s probably unfair to expect it ever could, but the latest Pikmin is the best effort yet.

Pikmin 4 adds variety to the series' traditional gameplay by offering options other than the grab-and-throw formula of the past, and brings an extra helping of top-tier levels after the credits roll.

Pikmin 4 is simply a delight to play. Its world is effortlessly charming and its core gameplay is more than enough to keep you invested for hours on end. Combine that with the extras such as the Night Expeditions, and Nintendo has crafted another big winner in what is already an incredible 2023 for the company.

I'd call Pikmin 4 a near-perfect return of the series and well-worth the agonising wait for the game's release. Pikmin 4 feels like a game that took so many years to make, as it's practically overflowing with creativity. It lovingly combines the best parts of the first three Pikmin games, whilst implementing its own fresh new ideas into the mix.

This is the most approachable Pikmin to date, with satisfying gameplay systems that will appeal to a broad variety of players.

Pikmin 4 is a sumptuous strategy adventure that serves up tons of fun for returning fans of the franchise whilst also adding lots to entice new players into giving it a try. Oatchi is the star of the show in our eyes, a very good boy who is woven cleverly into the core of the puzzle action. Series-best dungeons, a hugely inventive overworld, night missions, Dandori battles, and post-credit goodies only sweeten the deal. Yes, the co-op is disappointing, and the campaign's not gonna be challenging enough for some diehard fans, but overall Nintendo has nailed it here, serving up a magical Pikmin adventure that we reckon could see the series finally getting all of the attention it fully deserves.

Pikmin 4 goes full steam ahead with an array of exciting new features. Unexpectedly good ones include delving into underground levels, embarking on Night Time Expeditions, riding on the back of Oatchi, and discovering new Pikmin units. This refreshing experience makes it easy to forget its 20-year-old roots, as it feels entirely new once again.

Just when you think you’ve done everything, Pikmin 4 is waiting to hand over another fun task for you to spend the next few hours enjoying, on the universe’s most crashed-on planet.

This is my first true Pikmin experience, and even as a newcomer to the series, I found myself completely enthralled by the vibrant landscapes, intuitive gameplay, and charming characters I encountered on my journey.

It feels like Pikmin 4 revitalises the Pikmin series. Bringing Oatchi along for this new adventure improves navigating the oversized world and its many dangers. Nintendo has managed to make the series more approachable than ever whilst not holding back on swiftly wiping out your entire party if you get caught up in a surprise attack. Not only is there plenty to do, but it's all enjoyable enough you want to 100% every area. I wouldn't be surprised if there is a fair wait until the next Pikmin game, but it'll be hard to top Pikmin 4.

Pikmin 4 adds or reintroduces a lot to the series’ formula, including caves, nighttime missions, and an adorable doggy sidekick, to the point the game starts to feel a bit busy and unfocused. Fortunately, like a well-managed Pikmin squad, the game comes together in charming, effective fashion by the end. While the franchise may have bloomed slightly brighter in the past, Pikmin 4 will still provide a bountiful harvest of fun for longtime fans.

Pikmin 4 is a tour de force, carefully balancing the franchise's tried-and-true freeform structure with new mechanics and systems that don't force players into one specific playstyle. Our one big gripe? For some reason, you can't pet the dog.

Just when you think Nintendo has drained the well of creativity, it once more releases a sequel that refines an already quality experience to another level. Pikmin remains one of its best franchises that deserves more time in the spotlight, and Pikmin 4 is no exception.

Not only by abolishing the most frustrating function, Pikmin 4 becomes easier than its predecessor. But that is just one negligible part of the truth. The other is that Pikmin 4 delivers the best, biggest and most complex overworld levels including a diverse set of underworld dungeons with very special challenges. Beside all the other minor and major improvements, Rescue Pup Oatchi dye alone is a huge enrichment by itself. The game also does a great job concerning all the things that made Pikmin such a beloved series with its clever, often puzzle-like strategy gameplay or its sweet and just wonderful presentation. For series' lovers and fans of the genre, Pikmin 4 is a need-to play.

Pikmin4 successfully inherited the franchise's unique characteristics. While the game lowers entry barrier by deleting the time limit for main missions, its new contents are also making the whole experience deep and rich.

The most extensive and by far the best game in the series: Pikmin 4 offers franchise fans and anyone who wants to become one an all-round successful real-time strategy, where only the challenge and the lack of a real co-op mode stand out as major flaws.

All in all, Pikmin 4 feels like a game determined to play all of the hits, but its new offerings make it worthwhile for seasoned crew members and new explorers alike.

Pikmin 4 is a finely crafted experience from start to finish, with an addictive and highly satisfying gameplay loop that encourages and rewards exploration in a way that will make you want to uncover everything it has to offer. Those new to the franchise or less proficient with strategy games will find this a gentle and enjoyable experience with excellent quality-of-life features like the Rewind function to help offset frustration, and those seeking the more challenging gameplay that previous entries in the series are known for will find it in the postgame. Those looking for a co-operative multiplayer experience may be better off turning to Pikmin 3 Deluxe, but otherwise this is an easy recommendation to make for both newcomers to the series and long-time fans alike.

I had an excellent time with Pikmin 4 and I'm sure you will, too. It's not only a culmination of nearly everything in the series so far, it also introduces plenty of welcome new features that'll make you happy to be reacquainted with your Pikmin chums yet again.

Quotation forthcoming.

Pikmin 4 captures the essence of the franchise, even if it doesn't redefine the gaming landscape. While it doesn't revolutionize gaming, it delivers the familiar real-time strategic gameplay and introduces interesting changes. The open philosophy in level design and beautiful atmosphere will immerse players in a miniature world. Though it may be too easy and lacks an intriguing story, Pikmin 4 is a solid addition to the series.

Pikmin 4 is a fun adventure full of exploration and strategy that also becomes the most feature-rich and accessible entry in the series.

For many players, Pikmin 4 will be the best entry in the series. It's the most fast, dynamic and action-based of them, and even the most long and rich. For the players who loved the artistic part of Pikmin, however, it's the less refined one.

Although I love the battles, the strategic depth, and the characters, it’s this game’s pace that kept me hooked. You’re able to take things one day at a time. Even your less productive days still feel accomplished. Maybe it’s just the allure of that ‘100% explored’ announcement, but I was ready to sniff out every corner of this game. It’s a bummer watching Pikmin die, but it’s also a great motivator to learn from your mistakes. I was expecting the rescue/resources activity split to get boring, but it never did. If you’re hoping for a compelling narrative, you’ll be disappointed. But Pikmin 4 is more about the core gameplay loop than anything else. Slowly exploring every part of this game, gathering your tiny army, and looting every piece of possible treasure is its own reward. Whether you’re a newcomer or a series veteran, Pikmin 4 will be an excellent adventure.

Pikmin 4 brings together engaging cave exploration and a charming world to explore to offer up the most complete Pikmin experience so far. While the multiplayer offerings feel like a step back from Pikmin 3 and the game is too easy to begin with, Pikmin 4 more than makes up for these shortcomings with its adorable canine companion, vast sandboxes and gripping strategic combat.

Pikmin is back in a new entry that retains the cornerstones of the franchise: exploration that will make us use all of our brain power as well as multiple types of Pikmin that will allow us to overcome a variety of scenarios. The game also features new mechanics, for instance: night expeditions, the dog Orchin and Dandori Battles, these being the funniest thing you'll find playing the game.

Pikmin 4 brilliantly shows how to take the same set of mechanics and throw them into a new mode or challenge in order to keep things fresh, even if it can come off as repetitive at times.

Pikmin 4 is the perfect game for in-between, complete with great innovations, which only leaves co-op fans a bit crestfallen.

Pikmin 4 is the best and most entertaining RTS game of Nintendo Switch. It is a game that deserves to be tried by the players with the innovations it adds without harming the structure of the series.

Pikmin 4 may not be GOTY candidate, is not on everyone's lips and will probably not gather a massive following. However, its simple, carefree pleasure in great quantities is more than enough to make it worth your time.

Pikmin 4 is downright charming and playful from start to finish. The simple elements of strategy mean that even the most inexperienced tactician can delegate responsibility, collect treasure and send creatures into war with a smile on their face.

Even with the empty worlds and the uneven approach to difficulty and puzzles, Pikmin 4 won me over with its charm. Sure, I miss the stronger emphasis on strategy, but roaming the dense woodlands and distant shores of a familiar alien beach with Oatchi and a crew of stalwart root vegetables is rewarding in itself. I just hope Nintendo leans into that exploration element even more in the next Pikmin.

Pikmin 4 breathes new life into a franchise that was starting to feel lost to time, welcoming new players into a well-loved yet underrated Nintendo series, while simultaneously reminding older players as to exactly why they fell in love with the goofy world of Pikmin in the first place.

The emotional core of the game remains the interdependency between you and the Pikmin, and the sense of responsibility and gratitude that you feel towards them. Walking through my local park after playing it for a day, I felt that if I crouched down under a tree and remained still, I’d see little lines of them ferrying things around among the ants and beetles. The most memorable games are always the ones that inject a little magic into your every day life.

Cute, charming, flexible: Pikmin 4 skillfully combines the qualities of its predecessors into a varied, elegant package, and I'm quite taken with Ochin. It's a bit of a pity that it doesn't reveal its best tricks a tad earlier.

Pikmin 4 isn’t only the definitive evolution of the formula created by Shigeru Miyamoto, but a surprisingly all-purpose game. Hardcore fans and new players alike will find something for them in this adventure. Above all, those akin to strategy games will easily be won over by this game.

Pikmin 4 bundles the best of all previous parts and removes the most common criticisms. On paper, that produces the best Pikmin game ever, but due to all the improvements, the game lacks some urgency.

Pikmin 4 doesn’t revolutionize Miyamoto’s nearly quarter-century old concept. Instead, in much the same way as the pikmin themselves continue to gradually evolve, it grows the franchise’s ideas and themes slowly and naturally, with a bit of sci-fi whimsy and a feel-good, family-friendly vibe. I’m here for it.

The point is that those Dandori Battles really elevate the Pikmin 4 experience. Without them, what you’re looking at is a perfectly pleasant but too-iterative addition to the Pikmin series. However, with them, Pikmin 4 becomes the finest execution of the Pikmin philosophy to date. With any luck, Nintendo will see this as an opportunity for a dedicated spinoff, and continue to build on the excellent foundations it has established here.

We understand better why it took so long for a new opus. Pikmin 4 is an exemplary sequel and the gaming world would certainly be much better off if all licenses followed its example. While keeping its DNA, the title does not just offer a few anecdotal novelties: it explores new horizons. Something to delight both fans of the license and perhaps tempt a new audience. In any case, trying out the Pikmin formula with this new opus is clearly your best option. Pikmin 4 indeed surpasses the already excellent Pikmin 3, and this for our greatest pleasure. But we wouldn't have said no to a little visual refresh and the return of the coop mode of its predecessor. Two big shadows that come to tarnish an experience yet sublimated on all the rest.

Pikmin 4 is a blast, and a game I never expected to be quite as intensely engrossing as it is. From stunning visuals to hugely endearing gameplay, it's a fresh return for the series.

Pikmin 4 is largely a strong step forward for Nintendo and is a game that both longtime fans of the series and newcomers should find a lot of enjoyment with. Even though some new aspects that Nintendo opted to include in Pikmin 4 got stale quickly, the basic gameplay loop remains quite satisfying and features far more than ever before for you to sink your teeth into.

Though faithful fans might be put off by a more laid-back sequel that’s over-eager to hold players’ hands, Pikmin 4 is a purposeful reconstruction of Nintendo’s most niche series. A stressful comedy of errors becomes a digestible puzzle-strategy hybrid that gives players valuable organization strategies that are just as useful in real life as they are on their Nintendo Switch adventure.

Pikmin 4 exhibits the most demanding and multifaceted use of the series mechanics yet, with several situations and game modes that push your ability to strategically think and plan ahead under pressure. Pikmin 4 deftly accomplishes several things: staying true to the challenge and identity of the Pikmin series while expanding its ideas, making its concepts and obstacles more approachable, and simply being a beautiful and charming realisation of the Pikmin world.

Pikmin 4 is still as unique, fun, and weird as it ever was, but you'll have the best experience if you haven't even played the previous installments. In addition to all the new gimmicks and features, this is still the same great game that now just has more mechanics and fancy new graphics that are finally more up-to-date with today's times.

Nintendo successfully reinvents Pikmin as a Stardew Valley style cosy game, that’s both much bigger and more approachable than ever before.

Pikmin 4 is here and, like previous games, it is an incredibly fun game to play. There is plenty to explore and do in the world, the new additions such as new Pikmin, craft abilities and more, make it a fun adventure. It's a shame though that the full co-op experience is no longer present and the performance can't be called optimal, but those aren't points to make a purchase hinge on. A fine platformer that will certainly please fans, as well as newcomers.

Pikmin 4 is a lovely slice of zen management, giving you a frantic gang of little guys to corral and a host of moreish hubs to explore while you do so. Its extra modes are welcome, even if none of it feels radically new.

There's a pleasing mixture of the familiar and the new within Pikmin 4. The fresh camera view and tweaks to the gameplay make it feel more accessible, but for returning players, the focus on the Dandori ethos of planning, efficiency and adaptability provides new arenas to test your skills. Oh, and Oatchi's a real cutie too.

Pikmin 4 is a smart and content-packed refinement of one of Nintendo’s most underrated series, but long-time fans may be put off by how long its generous campaign takes to get going.

Pikmin 4 doesn’t require players to have played Pikmin before so if you’re on the fence about it and don’t have any experience, don’t worry! You won’t be lost for not having played other games in the series. It’s fun and quirky even if a bit too chatty. I can eagerly recommend Pikmin 4 but be aware of the issues I’ve brought up. If things like online play are really important to you, it might be better to wait for a sale or to see if Nintendo can get their crap together and fix it. Despite its issues, Pikmin 4 is a great addition to the franchise, and hopefully there’s more Pikmin yet to come.

Although the core mechanic is not unique anymore, Pikmin 4 proves that it can still be fun and engaging to control your little army through a variety of nicely designed levels thanks to a few tweaks to the series formula.

A curious world of delightful wonder, Pikmin will never fail to be a series that invites warmth and joy with its vibrant world and colourful companions. New gameplay ideas are plentiful with Pikmin 4, many of which work towards expanding the game in interesting new directions. Not every new mechanic lands as elegantly as others, with Night Expeditions and co-op mode being two notable disappointments. Though overall, Pikmin 4 still finds a way to bring about that same glee that has lasted within this series since its inception.

Too childish, and too little new compared to previous games.

The real surprise is that Pikmin 4 is mostly content to coast on its strengths. As sequels go, it could have used more dandori. [Issue#388, p.104]

Pikmin 4 is an incredibly charming and fun experience for the most part, but its new additions aren't quite revolutionary enough to stave off a feeling of repetitiveness in the later hours.

Give Pikmin 4 enough of your time and these small joys work beautifully in tandem with the soothing repetition of real-time planning and execution, sustaining a pleasantly stimulating flow.

Pikmin 4 isn’t quite the best game in the series, but it’s certainly the most confident. With this new entry, Nintendo has decided to wipe away much of the past tedium in favour of ensuring moment-to-moment gameplay is more enjoyable than ever. But eradicating its past frustrations also removes much of the challenge and depth from the game’s battles and puzzles. Commanding its multicoloured armies and pilfering this planet of its treasures while gathering a motley crew of comrades kept me enraptured for hours, just don’t come into this expecting the harsh journey back home to be little more than a leisurely stroll.