# Pikmin 4 Switch 2 Edition: what's new, Dandori Academy, the upgrade and what players think

> Pikmin 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy is out on 12 November. Everything Nintendo adds, how Dandori Academy's 72 stages and weekend exams work, how to upgrade for $9.99, how long Pikmin 4 takes, and what players make of it.

By Mercer. Published 8 November 2026.

> **What the Switch 2 Edition adds: Up to 4K, voice commands for Oatchi, Dandori Academy and GameShare battles.**
>
> It's out on 12 November. Owners of Pikmin 4 upgrade for $9.99, and a free demo is on the eShop now.

Pikmin 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy comes out on 12 November 2026, only on Nintendo Switch 2.[^1][^2] Everything below comes from Nintendo's own pages, checked on 8 November 2026, and from players who've tried the demo.

## What's new in the Switch 2 Edition?

**What Nintendo adds on Switch 2**

| Addition | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| Sharper picture | Resolutions up to 4K in TV mode, and a sharper image in handheld mode too |
| Voice commands | Nine spoken commands for Oatchi through the Switch 2 microphone, such as "Rush!" and "Go to work!" |
| Dandori Academy | A new mode of timed treasure-collecting stages with weekend exams and medals |
| Dandori Battles over GameShare | Two-player battles with a friend who doesn't own the game, locally or online through GameChat |
| Pikmin Bloom link | Exam results sent to the Pikmin Bloom phone app earn rewards there, including a cave map |

[^1][^2][^3]

## How does Dandori Academy work?

Each stage asks you to collect treasure, such as fruit and vegetables, as fast as you can. You can practise a stage as often as you like, and the exams run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with one exam attempt per week. Your results earn medals, which unlock rewards such as user icons.[^1][^2]

There are 72 stages in all, released over time at six a month, with easier ones for beginners.[^1] Taking exams and downloading new stages needs an internet connection, and the online features need a Nintendo Switch Online membership.[^1][^7]

## How do I upgrade Pikmin 4 to the Switch 2 Edition?

1. **Own Pikmin 4 for Switch**, on a game card or as a download.[^1][^5]
2. **Buy the Upgrade Pack** for $9.99 on the eShop, or as a download code from a shop.[^4][^5]
3. **Update the Switch game too.** The upgrade needs the latest version of Pikmin 4, Version 2.0.0, which has been out since 4 November.[^6][^7]
4. **Restart and look for "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition"** on the title screen. A pre-ordered pack can download early and opens on 12 November.[^6]

The full Switch 2 Edition, for players new to Pikmin 4, includes the Switch game and the upgrade pack in one.[^3]

## How big is the download?

12.8 GB for the full Switch 2 Edition, and 1.2 GB for the upgrade pack alone.[^1][^4]

## Is there a demo?

Yes. A free demo has been on the eShop since 2 November, with the Sun-Speckled Terrace opening area and two Dandori Academy stages.[^2]

## How long is Pikmin 4?

**How long Pikmin 4 takes**

|  | Hours |
| --- | --- |
| Main story | About 17.5 hours |
| Main story and extras | About 29 hours |
| Everything | About 40 hours |

Players' own finishing times for Pikmin 4, from 264 to 516 players in each row, read on 8 November 2026. Dandori Academy adds its stages on top, six a month.[^8]

## What do players think of the Switch 2 Edition?

**Many fans hoped for more.** In a Pikmin community poll of 813 players, the most common answer was disappointment, and fewer than one in ten said they were excited.[^9]

**How Pikmin fans feel about the Switch 2 Edition**

|  | Share of 813 votes |
| --- | --- |
| I'm disappointed | 38% |
| It's okay | 23% |
| I'm happy it exists | 18% |
| The worst thing Pikmin has done | 13% |
| I'm excited for it | 8% |

A players' poll that closed in September 2026, after the announcement.[^9]

**The frame rate is the biggest letdown.** Players report that it still runs at 30 frames a second, and those who hoped for 60 on the new hardware say so in nearly every thread about it.[^9][^10][^11][^12]

**They also wanted mouse controls and co-op.** Players expected the Joy-Con 2 mouse to suit Pikmin's pointing, and some would pay more for proper co-op play.[^9][^10][^11]

**The sharper picture wins some over.** Players on large 4K TVs say the resolution alone makes the upgrade worth it, and newcomers see it as the version to start with.[^9][^10]

**Dandori fans are looking forward to it.** Players who loved Pikmin 4's Dandori challenges welcome 72 more stages. Others find a once-a-week exam and six stages a month slow, and some count the online membership as an extra cost.[^9][^11]

**The price gets credit.** For $9.99, players note the pack adds a new mode on top of the visual upgrade, where many Switch 2 Editions add only better visuals.[^9][^12]

## Is the upgrade worth it?

It's worth it if you play on a big TV and want the sharper picture, or you enjoyed Pikmin 4's Dandori challenges and want more of them. If you were hoping for 60 frames a second, mouse controls or co-op, none of them is on Nintendo's list of additions. The free demo is the easiest way to judge the picture and the Academy for yourself.[^1][^2][^9]

Our [Pikmin 4 Switch 2 Edition page](https://creativecult.digital/games/pikmin-4-switch-2-edition) keeps the editions and release details, and we'll add what players say once it's out.

## Sources

[^1]: Nintendo UK: Pikmin 4, Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy. https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-Switch-2-Edition/Pikmin-4-Nintendo-Switch-2-Edition-Dandori-Academy-3188744.html
[^2]: Nintendo, Nintendo declares November 1 Pikmin Day, 2 November 2026. https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/nintendo-declares-november-1-pikmin-day-in-recognition-of-all-things-pikmin/
[^3]: Nintendo US store: Pikmin 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy. https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/pikmin-4-nintendo-switch-2-edition-plus-dandori-academy-switch-2/
[^4]: Nintendo US store: Pikmin 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy Upgrade Pack. https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/pikmin-4-nintendo-switch-2-edition-plus-dandori-academy-upgrade-pack-switch-2/
[^5]: Nintendo Support, How to upgrade Nintendo Switch software to Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/68413/~/how-to-upgrade-nintendo-switch-software-to-nintendo-switch%26nbsp%3B2-edition
[^6]: Nintendo Support, Unable to access new features or content after purchasing an upgrade pack. https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/68414/~/unable-to-access-new-features%2Fcontent-after-purchasing-or-downloading-a
[^7]: Reddit, r/nintendo, Pikmin 4 Version 2.0.0 is now available, 4 November 2026. https://www.reddit.com/r/nintendo/comments/1xo3w8d/pikmin_4_version_200_is_now_available/
[^8]: HowLongToBeat: Pikmin 4. https://howlongtobeat.com/game/31013
[^9]: Reddit, r/Pikmin, General opinion on the Pikmin 4 Switch 2 Edition?, 17 September 2026. https://www.reddit.com/r/Pikmin/comments/1wiz6kj/general_opinion_on_the_pikmin_4_switch_2_edition/
[^10]: Reddit, r/NintendoSwitch2, Pikmin 4 Switch 2 Edition getting a free demo, 31 October 2026. https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch2/comments/1xkdaa3/pikmin_4_nintendo_switch_2_edition_dandori/
[^11]: Reddit, r/Pikmin, Pikmin 4 Switch 2 Edition announced, 9 September 2026. https://www.reddit.com/r/Pikmin/comments/1wbmu83/pikmin_4_switch_2_edition_announced/
[^12]: Reddit, r/NintendoSwitch, Pikmin 4 updated to version 2.0.0, 4 November 2026. https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/1xo3nem/pikmin_4_updated_to_version_200_adds_switch_2/

Page: https://creativecult.digital/research/pikmin-4-switch-2-edition-whats-new