Rumors about Nintendo's new console have been in the works for a long time, and they're finally starting to peak. Fans are incredibly curious about the next iteration in the Nintendo Switch line, and talk of an imminent reveal has only added to the anticipation. One element of the alleged Nintendo Switch 2 that hasn't been discussed as much is its potential lineup of games and whether Nintendo will be able to build a library as strong as it did with the current-gen Switch. With this in mind, Nintendo would be wise not to forget about Pikmin series on Switch 2.
2023 saw its release Pikmin 4which went on to be an amazing success for Nintendo, but the path to release wasn't as smooth and clean as one might hope. With the new console on the horizon, it would be in Nintendo's best interest to position itself Pikmin 5 as a heavy hitter in his primary library.
Pikmin 5 should be a bigger deal for Nintendo
Pikmin games have been announced very early before
The Pikmin The series has a history of leaving long gaps between announcement dates and release dates. For example, Pikmin 3 it was first announced at E3 2008, but wouldn't get a proper release until 2013, five years later. It even crossed a console generation, as its initial development began on the Wii before being moved to the Wii U around 2011.
Pikmin 4 was an even bigger example of this, being announced in 2015 but not getting a release until 2023, a gap of eight years. During development, it was noted that the game was “a lower priority” for Nintendo, and it was even speculated that it would be vaporware at some point. It would be best if Nintendo didn't let the same fate befall them Pikmin 5and if it was treated as a higher priority on Switch 2.
Pikmin exploded in popularity for Nintendo
There is a good reason to do so Pikmin also a high priority as the franchise has seen great success since coming to the Switch. While the first three titles each sold a million copies, it was only in 2020 Pikmin 3 Deluxe that one game in the franchise became a million seller. At the time, it sold over a million copies of its Wii U version and Pikmin began to reach an even greater step in terms of mainstream popularity.
Nowhere would this become clearer than with the long-awaited release of the Pikmin 4which quickly took the previous entry's crown as the best-selling entry in the franchise by a comfortable margin. With over three million copies sold, fans have made it clear to Nintendo that there is a huge demand for Pikmin. Perhaps the publisher should respond in kind by making sure those fans don't have to wait so long for Pikmin 5.
It would be best if Nintendo didn't let the same fate befall them
Pikmin 5
and if it was treated as a higher priority on Switch 2.
Nintendo seems to agree that Pikmin fans shouldn't have to wait that long
It also looks like Nintendo knows how long Pikmin 4 took and does not want to repeat the cycle with the next entry. Takashi Tezuka, the producer Pikmin 4he even noted in an interview that he would try his best not to make fans wait that long Pikmin 5. given that Pikmin 4 was once considered a “low priority,” it's important to make sure that fate doesn't befall its successor, especially with Nintendo's next platform on the horizon.
Amid all the Switch 2 rumors, the most important part of the system will be the games. The Nintendo Switch succeeded the way it did thanks to its fantastic library of games, and Nintendo is certainly building an equally strong library for its next-gen platform. Here's hoping for the following Pikmin game becomes a major piece in that line, and hopefully fans don't have to wait another eight years for it.
