Hey there Legend! Just to bring to your notice that some links and ad banners on this page are affiliates which means that, if you choose to make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We greatly appreciate your support!
Pikmin 4 Launches Free Photo Mode Update—But No Switch 2 Boost in Sight
October 23, 2025Pikmin 4 is getting a major free update next month, but don’t expect a shiny upgrade for Nintendo’s next console. The latest announcement from Nintendo confirms a November drop for the update, packed with creative features and difficulty tweaks, but fans hungry for a Switch 2 version will have to settle for what they’ve got. Here’s what’s coming, what fans wanted, and where the game sits after its best-reviewed chapter.
Photo Mode, Decor Pikmin, and Creature Activity Shakeups
First up, the big-ticket item: Photo Mode. You’ll get access through a new field camera item. The update lets you frame up your shots, adjust angles, and personalise each photo with a mix of decorations. Fans who spend hours tinkering with perfect screenshots will have a whole new playground in Pikmin 4’s lush environments.
But it doesn’t stop at pictures. The update marks the debut of Decor Pikmin on Switch, after making their first appearance in the mobile spin-off Pikmin Bloom. These Pikmin hide throughout levels, waiting for you to track them down, add them to your squad, or even transfer them into Pikmin Bloom if you’re playing both systems and mobile. It’s cross-game collecting made simple, but with that extra scavenger thrill, the series does so well.
The creature activity settings are getting an overhaul, too, thanks to updated enemy interactions. A new Relaxed mode makes the world friendlier than ever; creatures will leave you alone unless you pick a fight first. On the other end, Fierce mode dials up the challenge, making enemies more aggressive and keeping veteran players on their toes. These difficulty tweaks should please both newcomers and old-school Pikmin fans still hunting for a perfect run.
The update lands sometime in November. Nintendo is also dropping a new demo alongside it, letting anyone on the fence try before they dive in to hunt for Decor Pikmin themselves.
No Switch 2 Upgrade—And Why Fans Are Frustrated
Rumours have been swirling for weeks about a potential Switch 2 upgrade for Pikmin 4. With Nintendo’s recent strategy, upgrading hits like Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, and even the upcoming expanded edition of Super Mario Bros. Wonder many assumed Pikmin would follow suit. That’s not happening, at least not now. Pikmin 4 remains playable on Nintendo’s next console, but with no enhanced features or special additions. That’s a noticeable gap, especially for die-hard fans who were bracing for sharper visuals or extra performance juice.
Nintendo has been building up Pikmin buzz in other ways. Earlier this month, a cryptic animated short called Close to You was posted, showing a baby “haunted” by invisible creatures. Fans were quick to link the mystery to Pikmin, and were proven right when a revised cut appeared featuring everyone’s favourite plant critters. The short was the first warning sign that new Pikmin news was brewing, though it didn’t end up heralding a Switch 2 patch fans had imagined.
Still, Pikmin 4 hasn’t lost its shine. As the team at Eurogamer put it in their five-star review: “The Pikmin series blossoms anew, in a bouquet of fresh gameplay and the best bits from its roots.” Whether you’re jumping in again for Decor Pikmin, dialling up the challenge, or just framing up the ultimate squad selfie, Pikmin 4’s November update is shaping up as one of the most fun reasons to keep playing. Want to test the update before committing? Nintendo’s dropping a new demo in November to let you get a taste.
Share this:
While games are fun, it’s highly important to note that there’s more to life than sitting countless hours playing video games – there’s a purpose and more to life; seek out that purpose more often!
