Pikmin Day Direct: Everything Nintendo Announced for November 1
Update: November 1, 2026 – added the Nintendo Treehouse Plays time and Hello! Pikmin schedule.
Nintendo shadow-dropped a short Pikmin Day Direct on October 31, 2026, and officially named November 1 “Pikmin Day.” There was no new Pikmin game announced. The show recapped Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy (out November 12, 2026), revealed Secret Caves for Pikmin Bloom, and launched a new short-film series called Hello! Pikmin.
Everything announced in the Pikmin Day Direct
| Announcement | What it is | When |
|---|---|---|
| Pikmin Day | Nintendo now calls November 1 “Pikmin Day” (three 1s, like three Pikmin) | Every November 1 |
| Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy | Switch 2 version of Pikmin 4 with new Dandori Academy content | November 12, 2026 |
| Dandori Academy Upgrade Pack | Upgrade for people who already own Pikmin 4 on Switch | November 12, 2026, $9.99, pre-orders open |
| Pikmin Bloom Secret Caves | New cave exploration feature in the mobile game | This winter |
| Hello! Pikmin | Series of short Pikmin movies, first episode “#01 Frog” | Out now, more episodes coming |
| Nintendo Treehouse Plays | Live gameplay of the Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy | November 1, 9am PT |
Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy
The biggest part of the Direct was another look at the Switch 2 version of Pikmin 4, which launches on November 12, 2026. Nintendo’s official Direct page lists a separate Dandori Academy Upgrade Pack for $9.99, so Switch 1 owners of Pikmin 4 can upgrade instead of buying the full game again. Pre-orders for the upgrade are open on Nintendo’s site.
According to Noisy Pixel’s write-up of the broadcast, Nintendo also stressed that all four mainline Pikmin games will be playable natively on Switch 2. If you are new to the console, our guide on gaming setup ideas for 2026 has tips for building a corner around it.
Pikmin Bloom is getting Secret Caves
The mobile game Pikmin Bloom is adding Secret Caves this winter. Based on the Direct, here is how they work:
- You send a group of Pikmin into a cave to explore on their own.
- If they meet a creature, you can order them to attack, or use the whistle to call them back.
- Pikmin that take too much damage pull back to recover.
- Treasures you find go into a new collection.
- You need cave maps to enter. Special cave maps can be earned by taking quizzes in Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy.
Nintendo did not give an exact date beyond “this winter.”
Hello! Pikmin short movies
The Direct ended with the first Hello! Pikmin short, titled “#01 Frog.” Noisy Pixel reports the series is made with Nintendo Pictures and will be shared through the Nintendo Today! app and other channels. Another episode follows right after Pikmin Day, one more arrives in December, and episodes are planned monthly after that.
Why this Direct matters (and what it was not)
If you were hoping for Pikmin 5, this was not that show. Nintendo Life called it light on game news, and it was mostly a celebration and a final push for the November 12 release. Still, it gives a clear date and price for the Switch 2 upgrade, and it is the first time Nintendo has made Pikmin Day official. For other Nintendo news this fall, see our recap of the Nintendo Indie World October 2026 showcase.
FAQ
Was a new Pikmin game announced in the Pikmin Day Direct?
No. The Direct focused on Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy, Pikmin Bloom and the Hello! Pikmin shorts.
When does Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy come out?
November 12, 2026.
How much is the Dandori Academy Upgrade Pack?
Nintendo’s US site lists it at $9.99.
Why is November 1 Pikmin Day?
The date 11/1 is written with three 1s, which Nintendo links to three Pikmin.
Where can I watch the Pikmin Day Direct?
On Nintendo’s official site and YouTube channel, and in the Nintendo Today! app.
Sources: Nintendo – Pikmin Day Direct 11.1, Noisy Pixel, Nintendo Life.