Mini Review: Pikmin 4 - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy (Switch 2)

Nintendo has released Pikmin 4 - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy for the Switch 2. According to Mashable, the official title of the release is comically tedious, but it serves as a $10 upgrade for players who already own the original game on Switch 1. Comics Gaming Magazine, Checkpoint Gaming, and Nintendo Life also reviewed the new package. Mashable notes that the Switch 2 version features a boost in resolution, making the colorful environments, expressive lighting, and welcoming atmosphere pop even more on a nice TV. The frame rate remains capped at 30 frames per second on the Switch 2, which Mashable describes as a bummer rather than a deal-breaker. Comics Gaming Magazine points out that the upgrade includes fast loading times and crisp visuals. Additionally, players can use the Switch 2 microphone to bark voice commands at Oatchi, their loyal space dog friend, though Mashable reports turning this feature off immediately because it makes holding a conversation while playing impossible. The beefiest addition to the package is Dandori Academy, which brings a series of new challenge levels for veterans to explore. GoNintendo reports that Nintendo is currently working on a patch to fix a motion control issue affecting the game. Checkpoint Gaming notes that the title asks whether players are facing a skill issue or a dandori issue. Pikmin 4 itself revolves around plucking cute little plant dudes from the dirt, color-coded by their unique abilities, to clear obstacles, open shortcuts, defeat enemies, and carry treasures back to a spaceship to unlock upgrades. Mashable highlights that the absence of an overall time limit is a huge boon for players who easily stress out over time-limit mechanics. Mashable further argues that the Switch 2 is the best current-gen console for clearing out a backlog, noting that the console can play most Switch 1 games alongside extensive re-releases, remakes, and Nintendo Classics libraries.