Pikmin 4 Switch 2 Edition launches Nov 12 with Dandori Academy

The Pikmin 4 Switch 2 Edition arrives on November 12, 2026, and it is built around a new mode called Dandori Academy. Nintendo's store page lists the release as Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy, with sharper visuals, Oatchi voice commands and GameShare multiplayer.

What launches on November 12

Pikmin 4 first came out on Nintendo Switch on July 21, 2023, developed by Nintendo EPD and Eighting. According to Wikipedia, it sold 3.48 million copies worldwide by March 31, 2024, making it the best-selling game in the series, and it won Best Sim/Strategy Game at The Game Awards 2023.

The Switch 2 Edition includes the Nintendo Switch game plus an upgrade pack that adds Switch 2 features and enhancements. Nintendo sells it in two ways: as the full Switch 2 Edition, or as an upgrade pack for people who already own the Switch version. Nintendo notes that the full Pikmin 4 game is required to use the upgrade pack, and that you can pre-order the pack in advance.

Trailer for the Switch 2 Edition. Video: Nintendo UK.

Dandori Academy: 72 exam stages

Dandori is the art of commanding Pikmin efficiently, and the academy turns that into a series of exams. Nintendo describes it as an extensive series of Dandori exam stages where you test your skill and earn in-game medals. A total of 72 stages will be released over time, and they vary in difficulty so you can pick the ones that match your level.

A Nintendo Treehouse video described on the store page shows three difficulty levels of exams, with the hardest featuring an Empress Bulblax. Because the stages arrive over time, it is safest to expect only part of the 72 on launch day. Nintendo has not said how many will be available on November 12.

New features for Switch 2

• Oatchi voice commands. Your dog partner can now listen for voice commands through the Switch 2 system microphone. Nintendo's own line is that you should not be shy about telling him how good he is.
• Higher resolution. Nintendo promises improved high-resolution visuals in both TV mode and handheld mode, with sharper detail.
• Dandori Battles via GameShare. You can play a friend on the same system, or invite them through GameShare locally or online via GameChat, even if they do not own the game. The Switch 2 system must start the session, and GameShare players can only play during that session.

Upgrade path and file size

Nintendo's estimate for the file size is 11.3 GB on Nintendo Switch and 12.8 GB on Nintendo Switch 2. If you own the Switch version already, check the upgrade pack listing in the eShop for the current price, since the store page we reviewed did not show a clear price for the pack.

The Switch 2 Edition is part of a wider run of Nintendo upgrades. For another Switch 2 release this week, see our story on Ocarina of Time on Switch 2. More coverage lives on the Pikmin 4 game hub and in our news section.

FAQ

When does the Pikmin 4 Switch 2 Edition come out?

November 12, 2026, on Nintendo Switch 2, according to Nintendo's store page.

How many Dandori Academy stages are there?

Nintendo says a total of 72 stages will be released over time, so not all of them are necessarily available on day one.

Can I upgrade if I already own Pikmin 4?

Yes. Nintendo sells an upgrade pack for owners of the Switch version. The full Pikmin 4 game is required to use it.

Do I need Nintendo Switch Online?

Online features, including GameChat, require a Nintendo Switch Online membership and a Nintendo Account, per Nintendo's page.

How we got here

1. Jul 21, 2023Pikmin 4 launches on Nintendo Switch.
2. Sep 2026Nintendo announces the Switch 2 Edition for November 12.
3. Nov 12, 2026Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy launches.

Ana Kowalski News editor

Covers release dates, studios, and the business of games. Has been tracking GTA VI since the 2022 leak.