How quickly can you really pluck, toss and haul? Nintendo would like to grade you on it. Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy leads this week's Nintendo Download, and it turns the series' love of efficiency into actual homework, complete with exams every weekend.
It isn't alone, either. Metaphor: ReFantazio makes the jump to Switch 2, Sonic and friends crash PICO PARK, and a coin-pusher roguelike and a BMX-riding tanuki round out a surprisingly busy week.
Dandori Battles, Oatchi on the move and a Pikmin parade through the garden.
Pikmin goes back to school
The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition adds high-resolution visuals and a few new ways to boss your squad around. The best one: you can choose from nine different voice commands to have Rescue Pup Oatchi gather up Pikmin, go to work and more. Finally, a dog that listens.
The new Dandori Academy mode is the real draw. You take on timed challenges to see how quickly you can collect treasure around a variety of stages, practice each one, then put your strategy to the test in Dandori Exams held every Friday through Sunday.
Up to two players can also compete in Dandori Battles using GameShare via local wireless, or online via GameChat. And if you already own Pikmin 4 on Switch, you don't have to buy it twice: an upgrade pack unlocks these features on Switch 2.
- 9 voice commands for Oatchi
- 2 players in Dandori Battles
- Dandori Exams every Friday through Sunday
The rest of the class
Metaphor: ReFantazio launches for Nintendo Switch 2 today. You enter the Tournament for the Throne, awaken magical Archetype powers and team up with a strong cast, with combat that blends dynamic turn-based and real-time battles.
SONIC PICO PARK drops Knuckles, Amy, Tails and more into PICO PARK's co-op puzzles, with rings, loops and springs in the stages and support for 2 to 8 players locally or online. It's out today on Switch 2 and Switch.
RACCOIN: Chaos Max Edition is a push-your-luck coin-pusher roguelike with eight characters, each with their own themed coins. The Switch 2 version supports Joy-Con 2 mouse controls and adds an exclusive in-game arcade cabinet skin. It's available now on Switch 2.
Then there's TANUKI: Pon's Summer, starring a well-meaning tanuki with a part-time post office job. Pon BMXes packages around town, plays sports, makes friends and restores the shrine for the Great Tanuki Festival before summer's end. It's available now on Switch 2 and Switch.
Apples, sweepstakes and a big Square Enix sale
Pokémon Pokopia's Apples to Applin event runs from Nov. 16 at 5 a.m. to Dec. 1 at 4:59 a.m. local time. Collect Syrupy Apples, trade them for apple-themed furniture, and build habitats for Flapple, Appletun, Dipplin and Hydrapple. Nintendo Music adds tracks from the Pikmin Bloom mobile app, and the My Nintendo – Nintendo Switch Sports Resort Sweepstakes runs until March 3 at 11 p.m. PT.
The Square Enix Harvest Sale knocks 80% off FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and 85% off FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH for Switch 2 until Nov. 16 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Also new on Switch 2 this week: A Little to the Left Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, Harold Halibut, Moomin: Midsummer Madness, Where the Seeds Fall and Spirit Crossing (Nov. 16).
That's a lot of homework for one week. At least the Pikmin are cute about it.
Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy is available now on Nintendo Switch 2, and Switch owners can grab the upgrade pack instead. You can pick it up from Nintendo here. Stay tuned to GamingTrend.com for our review, and for all your upcoming reviews, previews, and gaming news!
