Pikmin 4 Beginner’s Guide: 9 Things You Should Know Before Getting Started with Pikmin 4

Pikmin 4 is the same micromanaged creature game we all know and love, with some new features that spice up the gameplay, like the inclusion of Ice Pikmin, Oatchi, and the sprawling cave system.

The core gameplay is still the same as in the previous games. You are tasked with rescuing some people who are stranded on a mysterious planet. You do this with the help of Pikmin, obedient little creatures that you toss around (and command to carry your stuff, too). Pikmin can bring enemies and bullets back to them Onion grow more Pikmin and carry treasures to your ship to unlock more areas to explore.

This Nintendo IP is not so popular for nothing. So if this is your first Pikmin game (or maybe it’s been a while since you’ve played one), we’ve got a set of tips to help you navigate Pikmin 4 under.

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Don’t forget Oatchi

Oatchi (the cute dog) is the biggest addition to the game (alongside Ice and Glow Pikmin) and definitely not to be forgotten. You should ride Oatchi most of the time to avoid having a large crowd of easy-to-target Pikmin trailing behind you.

Oatchi can also sniff out treasure, swim across water, knock over objects high up, and even carry large amounts of weight. At max upgrade, Oatchi can carry 100 Pikmin’s worth of items, which is hugely helpful as it allows him to carry almost every item in the game on his own.

It’s easy to forget Oatchi at first and slip back into older Pikmin habits (despite all the guides), so don’t forget your adorable orange friend.

There’s no need to rush into caves — or at all, to be honest

Time passes much more slowly in caves and the day does not end as long as you are in a cave. Caves all act more as linear puzzles to solve. So take your time. When you exit the cave, all your Pikmin are with you, so you don’t have to worry about someone dying even if you do get out of the cave at the end of the day.

However, there is no daily limit in the main campaign Pikmin 4, so you can take your time playing. Take as many days as you need to explore everything to the maximum.

Think of “dandori”: always doing something

To maximize time on both normal stages and caves, your Pikmin should always be doing something. Whether it’s taking out a bad guy or simply transporting pellets back to the ship to craft more Pikmin, keep them going.

This is especially the case in the Dandori battles where you have so that your Pikmin constantly accumulates in order to pass.

Image: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

Some Pikmin types are a luxury (especially early on)

Pikmin 4 includes all Pikmin types from previous games, plus two new Pikmin types: Ice and Glow.

However, the White, Purple, Rock, Pink, and new Ice Pikmin are luxury items early on. while you will Find onions These Pikmin won’t spawn for a while, meaning you can only harvest these Pikmin via Candypop Bud in the caves. You can re-enter caves to catch even more special Pikmin. However, since this is a pain in the ass, you should protect these particular species as much as possible.

Clear a path before collecting items

Enemies are everywhere: in the air, underground, on a cliff just out of your sight. They pose a threat to you, your Pikmin, and even Oatchi. The best thing you can do is attack every enemy you see with as many Pikmin as you can and destroy the enemies before sending your Pikmin off to collect treasures.

Pikmin will take the shortest route back to your ship, so sometimes they’ll run into enemies you haven’t noticed, and then… they’ll die! Sad! However, the enemies don’t respawn at all on the regular stage maps. So once you defeat a villain, it’s gone forever. (Enemies respawn in caves once you 100% complete the cave and return.)

Talk to everyone at base camp, not just your crewmates

As you save more and more people, you should chat with them twice – once to introduce yourself and another time to start any side quests. Completing these side quests isn’t mandatory, but they reward you with money for things you’re probably already doing, such as: B. Growing Pikmin, finding onions, and defeating enemies, so you might as well get the money.

Image: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

When in doubt, throw Pikmin

Did Oatchi take you to a treasure spot and there’s nothing there? Throw your Pikmin on the ground. Are you fighting an enemy? Throw all your Pikmin at it. Is there a crate just out of range? Throw your pink and yellow Pikmin. Keep throwing your Pikmin.

Don’t get hooked

The most important thing about Pikmin games is: never get attached to your Pikmin. Hundreds if not thousands will die during your playthrough. Sometimes a rock rolls down a hill and crushes 30 of them at once. Sometimes an enemy will rip one out of your sight. It never stops being disturbing, but it’s a completely normal part of the game.

All that said…

Remember: You can turn back time

New for Pikmin 4If you wish, you can actually turn back time to prevent losing your Pikmin. If you’re surprised by a giant Bulborb rolling over 60 of your Pikmin at once, that’s good news! Just rewind the cave and you’ll have all your Pikmin back. This is great for figuring out boss strategy while avoiding having to switch back and forth between onions.