Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy comes out on Thursday, November 12, 2026. If you already own Pikmin 4 on Switch, the upgrade pack costs $9.99 on the US eShop. It adds improved visuals, the 72-stage Dandori Academy mode, voice commands for Oatchi and GameShare battles. The same day, GTA 6 code-in-box copies reach stores.
Last checked on November 8, 2026. Official The date and the $9.99 upgrade price come from Nintendo’s US eShop listings, which show “Releases 11/12/26” and a release date of 2026-11-12. Nintendo of Canada’s November 4 demo post confirms November 12 too. Nintendo Life and Pixel Herald reported the same date.
Release date, prices and sizes
| Item | Detail | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | Thursday, November 12, 2026 | Official Nintendo eShop US, Nintendo of Canada |
| Upgrade pack (US) | $9.99, needs Pikmin 4 for Nintendo Switch | Official Nintendo eShop US |
| Upgrade pack (UK) | £7.99 | Reported Nintendo Life |
| Pikmin 4 for Switch (US) | $59.99 | Official Nintendo eShop US |
| Full Switch 2 Edition | $69.99 / £58.99 | Reported Nintendo Life listing; the US eShop page showed no price when we checked |
| Download size | 12.8 GB (Switch 2 Edition), 1.2 GB (upgrade pack) | Reported Pixel Herald, citing Nintendo listings |
| Unlock time | Midnight local time is the usual eShop pattern | Reported Nintendo has published no hour |
Our math Buying Pikmin 4 for Switch at $59.99 and then the $9.99 upgrade pack comes to $69.98, one cent less than the reported $69.99 full edition. The upgrade only saves money if you already own the game.
What the Switch 2 Edition adds
Official Nintendo’s eShop listing names four Switch 2 features:
- Improved visuals for the Nintendo Switch 2 system.
- Dandori Academy, a series of exams where you earn in-game medals. Nintendo of Canada says 72 stages “will be released over time” across several difficulties.
- Voice commands for Oatchi through the Switch 2 system microphone.
- Dandori Battles against friends, even if they don’t own the game, via GameShare locally or online through GameChat.
Official Online features, GameChat included, need internet access, a Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and a Nintendo Account, according to the listing’s fine print. Reported Pixel Herald reports that the weekend Dandori exams run on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with one attempt each. Nintendo has not said whether the game runs at 60 frames per second, so we don’t claim a frame-rate upgrade.
Upgrade pack or full edition: which to buy
| You have | Buy | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pikmin 4 on Switch (digital or cartridge) | Upgrade pack, $9.99 | Nintendo says the pack enhances your existing game for Switch 2. |
| No copy of Pikmin 4 | Full Switch 2 Edition | It includes the Switch game plus the upgrade pack, per Nintendo’s listing. |
| Only a Switch 1 | Nothing new | Switch 2 Edition features run only on Switch 2. |
| Not sure yet | The free demo | Nintendo says demo saves move to the full Pikmin 4 or Switch 2 Edition. |
Pikmin 4 and GTA 6 in the same week
Our read November 12 is also the day GTA 6 code-in-box copies start shipping, a week before the November 19 launch. Polygon framed Pikmin as a Nintendo release going up against GTA 6 that day. The two barely overlap: GTA 6 is on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S only. A Switch 2 owner who also bought GTA 6 has a full week of Pikmin before Leonida opens. Plan your storage on each console separately with our GTA 6 storage calculator.
Launch checklist
- Check which Pikmin 4 you own. If you have the Switch game, buy only the upgrade pack.
- Free up about 13 GB on your Switch 2 (reported 12.8 GB for the full edition).
- Try the demo first if you are new. Nintendo says the save carries over.
- Renew Nintendo Switch Online if you want online Dandori Battles or GameChat.
- Pre-order the upgrade pack to be ready at launch. Nintendo says pre-ordering it lets you play the Switch 2 Edition at launch.
FAQ
When does Pikmin 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition come out?
Thursday, November 12, 2026, according to Nintendo’s eShop listings and Nintendo of Canada.
How much is the Pikmin 4 Switch 2 upgrade pack?
$9.99 on the US Nintendo eShop. Nintendo Life lists £7.99 in the UK. You need Pikmin 4 for Nintendo Switch to use it.
How much is the full Pikmin 4 Switch 2 Edition?
Nintendo Life lists $69.99 and £58.99. Nintendo’s US eShop page showed no price when we checked on November 8, so treat that as reported.
What does Dandori Academy add?
A series of Dandori exam stages where you earn in-game medals. Nintendo says 72 stages will be released over time at different difficulty levels.
Does the Switch 2 Edition need Nintendo Switch Online?
Only for online features such as GameChat and online Dandori Battles. Nintendo’s fine print lists internet access, a Nintendo Switch Online membership and a Nintendo Account for those.
What time does it unlock?
Nintendo has not published an hour. Nintendo eShop releases usually unlock at midnight local time, which in the US is midnight ET (9 PM PT on November 11), as reported by Pixel Herald.
Keep reading on HUDWire
Sources
- Nintendo eShop US: Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy
- Nintendo eShop US: Upgrade Pack ($9.99, releases 11/12/26)
- Nintendo of Canada: Try the Pikmin 4 Switch 2 Edition demo (November 4, 2026)
- Nintendo Life: Pikmin 4 gets its Switch 2 Edition in November
- Pixel Herald: Pikmin 4 Switch 2 Edition release time
- Polygon: Nintendo release going up against GTA 6 on Nov. 12