Written by Matthew Whitaker

Starting with a nonchalant announcement in 2015…followed by years of silence…and then a sudden Nintendo Direct announcement in September 2022, fans of the Pikmin series were on a wild ride that finally culminated in July 2023 when Pikmin 4 was launched to critical acclaim from both critics and Pikmin fans alike.

What about non-Pikmin fans? Are they wondering if the series is worth trying? The answer to that is a resounding yes! If you’re curious but uncertain if Pikmin’s for you, this may help!

What is the Pikmin series about? As any fan knows, that’s a difficult question to answer – but an easy answer to experience. Simply put, it’s a game in which you command lovable plantlike creatures known as Pikmin to accomplish almost anything. Need to collect treasure? Your Pikmin will carry it wherever you need it. Is there a frightening beast blocking your path? Lead your Pikmin into battle against it! The fun of Pikmin is found in an idea called “dandori,” which means completing tasks in an organized and efficient manner.

Every day in Pikmin has a time limit, from sunrise to sunset, and your goal is to accomplish as many tasks as possible during that period. Each Pikmin game has a different overall objective, like collecting parts for Captain Olimar’s broken spaceship or finding treasure to pay off a seemingly insurmountable company debt. Of course, the best way to understand the Pikmin series is to try it. Fortunately, Nintendo is offering a free demo of Pikmin 4 on the Nintendo eShop!

Pikmin 4’s demo is very beginner-friendly, offering explanations on how to play the game while gently easing players into its world. There is no need to play the previous games in the Pikmin series before diving into Pikmin 4. Several features have been introduced to help new players, like easier controls that lock onto interactable objects, as well as the ability to rewind time allowing players to erase mistakes. The demo is more than just a tutorial; however, a sizable portion of the game can be experienced for free. Explore a beautiful terrace, dive into mysterious caves, and rescue castaways, all with your loyal Pikmin as you enjoy this fun-filled demo.

If you do decide to purchase the full game, your saved data from the demo will carry over so that you can continue your adventure. Pikmin 4 includes plenty of new ideas for the Pikmin series, like the rescue pup Oatchi as well as two new types of Pikmin.

BONUS: If you would like to try a full Pikmin game before Pikmin 4, all other games in the main series are available on Nintendo Switch as well. Pikmin 1, Pikmin 2, and Pikmin 3 are all worth a playthrough, being brilliant gems in Nintendo’s long history of beloved titles. Pikmin 3 has a free demo available, so there’s a terrific opportunity to try before you buy!