Bloomin’ ‘Eck! Pikmin 4 Gets a Fresh Coat of Paint, But Nintendo’s Keeping the Switch 2 Magic in the Shed

AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·

Bloomin’ ‘Eck! Pikmin 4 Gets a Fresh Coat of Paint, But Nintendo’s Keeping the Switch 2 Magic in the Shed

Pikmin 4 is snagging a free November update with a fancy Photo Mode and mobile game crossovers, but Nintendo is curiously skipping a Switch 2-specific performance boost.

Right, so I’ve been tinkering with this story all morning, and bloody hell, it’s a bit of a curious brew Nintendo has cooked up for us this time. You know that feeling when you find a forgotten potion in the back of your lab—it’s glowing, it smells like lavender, but you’re not entirely sure if it’ll turn you into a frog or just give you really shiny hair? That’s essentially the vibe of the latest *Pikmin 4* news, courtesy of the folks over at Eurogamer.

Our mates at Eurogamer, specifically Ed Nightingale, have dropped the word that Nintendo is gifting us a free update for *Pikmin 4* next month. Now, before you go summoning a celebratory feast, there’s a bit of a catch that’s got my wizardly beard twitching with skepticism. While the update brings some lovely quality-of-life bits and bobs, it’s conspicuously lacking that shiny 'Switch 2' upgrade everyone’s been whispering about in the digital corridors.

Let’s dig into the tea leaves and see what we’ve actually got here, shall we?

### The 'Say Cheese' Update First off, we’re getting a proper Photo Mode. Now, I know what you’re thinking—'Jeff, mate, every game has a photo mode these days.' And you’re right. But in the world of *Pikmin*, where everything is viewed from the perspective of a very brave, very confused carrot, a 'field camera' item is actually a bit of a game-changer.

We’ll be able to adjust angles and slap decorations onto our shots. It’s the kind of whimsical nonsense I live for. There’s something inherently hilarious about meticulously framing a shot of a Bulborb right before it snacks on your hard-earned squad. It’s about capturing the chaos, isn’t it? It’s that human touch in a digital world that I’m always banging on about.

### The Crossover We Didn’t Know We Needed (But Sort of Expected) Now, here’s where things get interesting for the tech-curious among us. Nintendo is introducing 'Decor Pikmin' to the main game. If you’ve been wandering around outside with your phone out like a lost apprentice, you’ll recognize these from *Pikmin Bloom*, the mobile game.

They’re adding a layer of collectability where you find these specially dressed-up critters hidden around levels and can transfer them to your squad. But wait, there’s more—you can also transfer them back to the mobile game.

Now, as a digital wizard who spends far too much time looking at Web3 and the idea of 'interoperability,' this makes my ears perk up. It’s not blockchain, obviously—Nintendo would probably rather fight a King Bulblax barehanded than touch that right now—but the *concept* is the same. Moving a digital asset from one ecosystem (mobile) to another (console) is exactly the kind of 'what if' scenario that actually serves the player. It’s a tiny bridge between worlds, and I reckon we need more of that.

### Choose Your Chaos: Relaxed vs. Fierce They’re also messing with the difficulty sliders, which is a brilliant move for accessibility. We’re getting 'Creature Activity' levels.

In 'Relaxed' mode, the local wildlife won’t attack unless you swing first. It’s basically a pacifist run for people who just want to enjoy the scenery without the constant threat of being eaten. On the flip side, 'Fierce' mode makes the enemies more aggressive. It’s for the players who think the current game is a bit too much of a walk in the park and want a proper, bloody-knuckled struggle for survival.

### The Switch 2 Elephant in the Room Here’s where my gentle skepticism kicks in. This update is coming in November, alongside a new demo. But as Ed Nightingale pointed out in the original Eurogamer report, there’s no specific Switch 2 upgrade.

Why does this matter? Well, look at the neighbors. *Zelda*, *Kirby*, and even *Super Mario Party Jamboree* are getting the 'Pro' treatment for the next-gen hardware. Even *Super Mario Bros. Wonder* is getting an expanded version next year. So, why is our favorite plant-based strategy game being left out in the cold?

It’s a bit baffling, isn’t it? *Pikmin 4* is a gorgeous game, arguably one of the best-looking titles on the current Switch. You’d think Nintendo would want to show off what those tiny, translucent Onion ships look like with a bit more horsepower behind them. Is it because the game is already 'perfect'? Or is Nintendo holding back a certain kind of magic for a later date?

We recently saw that bizarre 'Close to You' animated short—the one with the invisible creatures terrorizing a baby (honestly, a bit dark for Nintendo, but I loved the edge). Fans rightly guessed it was a *Pikmin* teaser. We expected a grand reveal of a Switch 2 version, and instead, we got a Photo Mode and some hats.

### The Jeff Verdict Look, I’m a 'glass-half-full-of-mana' kind of guy. A free update is a free update, and the fact that Nintendo is still supporting *Pikmin 4* with new content is a win for the community. The tie-in with *Pikmin Bloom* is a clever bit of cross-platform play that actually rewards long-term fans.

But I can’t help but feel a little twitch of doubt. In an industry where 'Remastered' and 'Enhanced' are the buzzwords of the day, skipping a Switch 2 upgrade for a flagship title feels like a missed opportunity—or perhaps a sign that Nintendo is being more selective with their wizardry than we thought.

Is it a disaster? Fair dinkum, no. *Pikmin 4* is still a masterpiece (Eurogamer gave it five stars, and I’m inclined to agree). It’ll run on the Switch 2 just fine, but without those extra bells and whistles, it feels a bit like being invited to a royal ball and being told you have to wear your old gardening boots.

So, what do you lot reckon? Are you excited to snap some high-res photos of your Pikmin getting bullied by a giant ladybug, or were you hoping for that 4K, 60FPS plant-plucking experience?

Either way, I’ll be there in November, camera in hand, trying to find those elusive Decor Pikmin. Just don't expect me to play on 'Fierce' mode—this wizard prefers his adventures with a side of 'Relaxed' and a pint of nectar.

*** *Source: Eurogamer (Author: Ed Nightingale)*

Tags: Pikmin 4, Nintendo Switch 2, Gaming News, Pikmin Bloom, Nintendo

Original article: Eurogamer