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Nintendo has surprised fans with a new Pikmin-themed Direct presentation, revealing updates for its popular gaming franchise. Hosted by legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, the presentation introduced November 1 as the official annual Pikmin Day. The broadcast also shared new details about Pikmin 4 - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy, upcoming features for Pikmin Bloom, and a new animated short-film series.
Miyamoto explained that the date has a connection to the franchise's original three Pikmin characters: Red, Blue, and Yellow. Their arrangement resembles the number 111, which inspired Nintendo to designate November 1 as Pikmin Day. The first Pikmin game debuted on the Nintendo GameCube in 2001.
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Nintendo confirmed that Pikmin 4 - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy will launch on November 12, 2026. The updated version will let players use the console's built-in microphone to give voice commands to Oatchi.
It will also introduce Dandori Academy, a new mode featuring timed treasure-collection challenges. Players must plan routes, manage their Pikmin and collect as many items as possible within a time limit. Weekly exams will take place from Friday to Sunday, with medals awarded based on performance. A free demo will arrive on November 2.
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Nintendo also announced a new feature called Secret Caves for its mobile game Pikmin Bloom. Scheduled to arrive this winter, the update will allow players to send Pikmin into underground caves to explore, battle creatures and collect treasure.
Players will need cave maps to access these locations. These maps may appear on postcards, while completing Dandori Academy exams will also offer opportunities to obtain special maps. Pikmin can be directed to attack enemies or recalled when they face difficulties.
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The presentation also introduced Hello! Pikmin, a new animated short-film series developed with Nintendo Pictures. The first episode was showcased during the broadcast, with additional releases planned for November. From December onwards, Nintendo intends to release one short every month.
Japanese actress Fuka Koshiba also joined Miyamoto as a guest to help promote the franchise. While Nintendo did not announce a new game or provide details about Pikmin 5, the presentation highlighted its plans to expand the franchise through gaming updates and animated content.