Nintendo's first ever Pikmin Day came with a free taster of the Switch 2 Edition. Here's what's in the demo, where to find it, and whether it's worth grabbing if you already own the game on Switch.

If you've been on the fence about Pikmin 4 on Switch 2, Nintendo's made the decision a lot easier. A free demo of Pikmin 4 - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy goes live on the Switch 2 eShop on Monday, November 2, ten days before the full game launches on November 12.

Best of all, it isn't a throwaway taster. Anything you do in the demo carries over to the full game, so you won't be replaying the opening hours if you decide to buy it.

Ready to test your skills at Dandori Academy? A free demo of #Pikmin4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy will be available on Nov 2.

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) October 31, 2026

What's in the Pikmin 4 Switch 2 demo?

The demo covers two things:

• Sun-speckled Terrace. This is the game's opening area, where you crash-land, meet Oatchi and start building your Pikmin squad. It's a decent chunk of game, not just a tutorial.
• Two stages of Dandori Academy. This is the new mode that's exclusive to the Switch 2 Edition. You take on timed exams, collect treasure against the clock and earn medals based on how well you do.

It's a smart split. Newcomers get a proper feel for the main game, while anyone who's already played Pikmin 4 on Switch can jump straight into the new content.

Does your demo save transfer to the full game?

Yes. Nintendo has confirmed that save data from the demo transfers to the full game, so any progress you make in Sun-speckled Terrace comes with you.

If you remember the original Pikmin 4 demo from 2023, this works the same way. Back then, the full game asked whether you wanted to import your demo save the first time you booted it up. We'd expect the same again, so keep an eye out for that prompt on launch day rather than skipping past it.

What time does the demo come out?

Nintendo hasn't given a release time, just the date. Demos usually appear on the eShop without much fanfare, so if it isn't there when you first check on Monday, give it a little while and try again.

To find it, open the Nintendo eShop on your Switch 2 and search for Pikmin 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. The demo should sit on the same page as the full game. You'll need a Nintendo Account and some free storage, though Nintendo hasn't shared the file size yet.

What's new in the Switch 2 Edition?

If you've already played Pikmin 4, here's what the Switch 2 version adds:

• Improved visuals that make the most of the Switch 2's extra power.
• Voice commands for Oatchi. You can shout orders like "Rush" and "Go to work" at your space dog using the Switch 2's built-in microphone. Whether you'll actually use this on the sofa is another question.
• Dandori Academy, the new exam mode covered in the demo.
• Dandori Battles with GameShare, so you can take on friends locally or online even if they don't own the game.

How much is Pikmin 4 on Switch 2?

The full game launches on November 12 and is listed at £58.99 in the UK ($69.99 in the US).

If you already own Pikmin 4 on the original Switch, you don't need to buy it again. An Upgrade Pack costs £7.99 ($9.99) and unlocks the Switch 2 Edition and Dandori Academy. In that case, the demo is mainly a free look at the new mode before you decide whether the upgrade is worth it.

Wait, what's Pikmin Day?

The demo was announced in a short, surprise Pikmin Direct on October 31, where Shigeru Miyamoto declared that November 1 will be Pikmin Day every year from now on. His reasoning is quite sweet: if you imagine the original red, blue and yellow Pikmin as the number one, you get 1/11.

There was no new Pikmin game, but there were a couple of other bits:

• Pikmin Bloom is getting a Secret Caves update this winter, where you send Pikmin into caves to battle creatures for treasure. Some cave maps can be unlocked by passing exams in Dandori Academy, which is a nice link between the two games.
• Hello! Pikmin, a new series of animated shorts from Nintendo Pictures. The first one aired in the Direct, two more are due this month, and then one a month from December on the Nintendo Today app and Nintendo's other channels.

If you've got a Switch 2, the demo's free and your progress carries over, so there's really no reason not to grab it on Monday. And if you're new to the series, our ranking of every Pikmin type from least to most useful is a handy primer before you start plucking.