STACK #265 November 2026

GAMING FEATURE

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PNF-404 to gather fruit and seeds. New tactical layers were added to the game with the introduction of Rock Pikmin and Winged Pikmin, while the missions highlighted resource scarcity and keeping your

trio of leaders coordinated. In 2020, the game came to Nintendo Switch as Pikmin 3 Deluxe , adding quality-of-life improvements, extra missions, and co-op options. DYK? 2017’s Hey! Pikmin on the Nintendo 3DS was the series’ first handheld game. It was a side-scrolling puzzle-platformer. Pikmin 4 (2023) Released for Nintendo Switch in 2023, Pikmin 4 modernised the series while remaining faithful to its roots. Players controlled a customisable member of the Rescue Corps, tasked with recovering castaways and ultimately locating the missing Captain Olimar. It also introduced Oatchi, a super-cute space dog companion who could fight, carry items, and ferry Pikmin about, significantly altering the way that movement and combat worked. New mechanics included night expeditions, which weren’t possible in previous series entries, and expanded Dandori Challenges that emphasised efficient multitasking. Controls were also refined, new Pikmin types – Ice and Glow - were added, and the game was gentler on those who were new to the series’ unique spin on the strategy genre. Dandori Academy (2026) As Pikmin 4 gets a juicy coat of Switch 2 polish – improved visuals, the ability to issue voice commands to faithful Oatchi, and GameShare compatibility both locally and online - it also brings us a whole new mode.

GENRE: Strategy/Puzzle MULTIPLAYER: Yes

FORMAT:

Those delightful little Pikmin are back this month, making their way onto the Nintendo Switch 2 in an enhanced take on Pikmin 4 , complete with an exclusive new challenge mode. In celebration, let’s take a trip into all things Pikmin… Words Amy Flower LEAF IT TO THE EXPERTS! LEAF

Pikmin (2001) Our introduction to the wonderful world of Pikmin came on the Nintendo GameCube, bringing into our lives Captain Olimar and the real-time strategy/puzzle mixture that went on to define the series. After crashlanding on an Earth-like planet which we later discovered is named PNF-404, Olimar had 30 in-game days to recover his ship parts before his life-support fails. Players commanded Pikmin – little plant-animal hybrids grown from seeds - to battle hostile fauna, carry objects, and navigate environmental hazards. This original game established the day–night cycle, colour-coded Pikmin abilities (such as red resisting fire, and blue swimming), and a focus on efficient task management, which was dubbed Dandori later in the series. DYK? The planet designation PNF-404 is a riff on the internet HTTP 404 Page Not Found error, substituting ‘Planet’ for ‘Page’.

Pikmin 2 (2004) Three years on, the GameCube brought us our next instalment, with Pikmin 2 expanding the formula quite significantly. Olimar returned to PNF-404 with his co worker Louie, out to collect valuable treasures and to repay their employer’s massive debt. This sequel saw the strict 30-day limit abandoned, allowing more open exploration. It also introduced two-leader control, deeper cave systems, and a wider variety of Pikmin types, including hefty purple and versatile white. DYK? Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto has said that the idea for Pikmin sprung from watching ants working together in his garden. Pikmin 3 (2013) After a nine-year break, Pikmin 3 arrived on the Wii U in 2013, with focus shifting to a trio of new protagonists in Alph, Brittany, and Charlie, who hailed from the planet Koppai. Facing a food shortage at home, they travelled to

Dandori Academy is a series of exams – fun ones - that involve using your Pikmin to collect as much treasure as possible within a time limit. While you can pick the stages that you want to play in, you can only take the final exam once, so practice and more practice will be the key to scoring the shiniest medals!

• Pikmin 4 - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy is out Nov 12

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NOVEMBER 2026

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