After a decade, Nintendo’s Pikmin finally gets its fourth installment. Pikmin 4’s launch is a welcome one with some new features that have fans excited. From customization to new characters, Pikmin 4 presents a great opportunity to jump into the series. While most of the gameplay still remains the same as in previous titles, there are some doubts over the multiplayer and co-op mode, which made previous games, Pikmin 3 in particular, all the more enjoyable.
Will Pikmin 4 have Multiplayer and Co-op
Well, there is both good news and bad news on the multiplayer front. The good news is that, unlike Pikmin 3 where the co-op mode was only introduced in 2020 after the Switch release, Pikmin 4 will have multiplayer and co-op at launch. The bad news is that the co-op feature is not as comprehensive as the one we got in Pikmin 3. The new co-op mode will limit second player interaction to just firing pebbles using a Joy-Con pointer. The second player can also aid their friend by using inventory items.
As you progress through the story, the second player will gain access to better items including the use of healing bones for Oatchi. This still seems like a very limited use of local co-op though, which could ruin the experience. But Nintendo has confirmed that they would add the full co-op feature as in Pikmin 3, should there arise a demand for the same.
Dandori, Pikmin 4’s new Multiplayer Mode, Explained
While the co-op mode may lack in engagement, Pikmin 4’s new multiplayer mode, Dandori, should more than make up for it. Dandori battle is a new split-screen multiplayer mode that’ll allow two players to either work as a team or compete against each other in gathering the most items. In Dandori battles, players can use Oatchi as well to obtain the items before the timer runs out.
These Dandori battles are a great addition to the Pikmin universe and offer a much-needed competitive mode that is both fast paced and thrilling. This is also good news for new players who want to explore the franchise but may find the RTS gameplay a little on the slower side.
