Nintendo’s October 31, 2026 surprise Pikmin Direct marked the series’ 25th anniversary by establishing November 1 as an annual Pikmin Day. The presentation focused on animated shorts and updates to existing games; it did not announce a new Pikmin game.
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November 1 is now Pikmin Day
Shigeru Miyamoto announced that Nintendo will mark November 1 as Pikmin Day each year. Nintendo Life pointed to the date’s playful visual connection: the three ones resemble three Pikmin standing together.
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Hello! Pikmin brings the series back to animation
Nintendo introduced Hello! Pikmin, a series of animated shorts made with Nintendo Pictures.
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43 Its debut short features a red Pikmin trying to take a baseball while an apparently sleeping toad turns out to be awake—and hungry.
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The Direct also featured actor Fuka Koshiba alongside Miyamoto.
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14 Nintendo Life reported that more shorts were planned for release through the Nintendo Today! app and other channels.
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Pikmin 4’s Switch 2 edition gets a demo date
Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy is scheduled to launch on November 12, 2026. It adds microphone-based commands for Oatchi, including “rush” and “go to work.”
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Dandori Academy asks players to practise a strategy, then collect treasure within a time limit. Exams take place Friday through Sunday, and players get one attempt at each exam.
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25 A free demo is due November 2, featuring the opening area, Sunspeckled Terrace, and two Academy stages.
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A report on the mode also described plans for 72 stages over time and online leaderboards.
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Pikmin Bloom’s Secret Caves arrive this winter
A winter update will add Secret Caves to Pikmin Bloom. Players can send Pikmin into caves where familiar creatures and new treasure await.
4 Cave Maps are needed to enter; they may come with postcards, and players can also earn a special map by meeting certain requirements in Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy.
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A celebration, not a new-game reveal
For longtime fans, the Direct’s main news was a date to celebrate the series, alongside fresh ways to revisit its existing games and characters. Nintendo did not reveal a new game during the presentation.
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