Pikmin 4 owners can go straight to Dandori Academy

Start at the title screen

Launch the updated Pikmin 4 on Switch 2 and look for “About the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition” on the title screen. That menu takes you to the upgrade pack in Nintendo eShop. It is an easy way to find the right listing if your search brings up two editions with almost identical names. Nintendo’s update notes

The free version 2.0.0 update added that menu and support for the new edition. Seeing it means the software can point you to the upgrade. The Academy itself comes with the paid edition. Players starting from scratch can also try the Switch 2 Edition demo before choosing the full game. US upgrade pack · Nintendo’s demo notice

What you get to practice

In the expedition, you decide how many Pikmin can spare the time to haul something home. The Academy turns that kind of judgment into a repeatable exam. You choose a difficulty and work toward an in-game medal. Nintendo plans to release 72 stages over time. That total describes the rollout. Nintendo’s launch announcement gives no day-one stage count. Academy launch details

Plan for a connection when you sit down to play. Nintendo says taking exams and downloading distributed stages both require internet access. If you want to see how the exam changes with difficulty before spending anything, Nintendo Treehouse plays three levels of difficulty in the demonstration on the upgrade page. Exam connection requirements · Watch Nintendo Treehouse play

If a friend wants to play

Dandori Battles are the head-to-head option. Two players can battle on one system, or a Switch 2 owner can start a GameShare session with a friend. The guest’s access ends with that session. Online sharing through GameChat requires a Switch 2 for each player, a Nintendo Account, internet and Nintendo Switch Online. Nintendo’s multiplayer terms

Solo players also get improved visuals and can give Oatchi voice commands through the Switch 2 microphone. For a returning explorer, the purchase decision comes down to whether those additions and a new set of exams are worth another visit. With Pikmin 4 already in your library, the upgrade pack is the listing to check. Nintendo’s US upgrade pack

Related coverage: Borrowing a Switch 2 game-key card