Summary
Multiplayer in thePikmingames has always been somewhat of a strange subject, especially when it comes to co-op as while it did technically make an appearance in the deluxe version ofPikmin 3, it was a lot more limited than many fans would have expected from such awell-loved Nintendo title.
RELATED:Pikmin 4’s RPG Elements Explained
While fans had expected that a co-op mode of some kind was going to feature inPikmin 4considering how much effort Nintendo put into making it work in the previous game, the lack of trailers leading up to the release ofPikmin 4, and the fact that Nintendo has remained fairly tight-lipped on many of the game’s details and mechanics, had made it unclear of how different this mode was really going to be this time around.
Now that the game’s finally released though, we now have a good idea of how exactly this system plays out, and while it might not be what a lot of fans wanted, it’s still a lot of fun to play around with nonetheless.
6Co-Op Still Isn’t Online
Nintendo has always been known for lagging behind its competitors when it comes to network features in their games, and despite online co-op being a plea from manyPikminfans since the days ofPikmin 3on the Wii-U, it unfortunately still isn’t here onPikmin 4which is a bit of a missed opportunity considering how downright-fun and addictive the core gameplay is.
RELATED:Pikmin 4: The Best Items To Give Pikmin In Co-Op Mode
This could definitely be another attempt by Nintendo to encouragelocal couch co-opwhich has always been a huge part of its games, and this certainly isn’t a bad thing considering how much of a rarity that is nowadays in gaming, but many fans are still hoping for online compatibility to be introduced as part of a future update somewhere down the line.
5Limited Story Features
Unfortunately, players won’t be able to control their own pilots inPikmin 4as part of the co-op Story Mode as they will instead both control certain parts of the same character. While Player 1 will be physically controlling the main character and dictating where they go in the world, Player 2 will take the role of the assistant who controls the cursor.
Luckily though, since players will be required to throw items at enemies and damage them, while also needing to grab any puzzle items, itstill keeps both players engagedwithout the experience becoming too repetitive or boring. Still, though, this is fairly disappointing considering that a more standard and modern co-op mode was eventually introduced intoPikmin 3 Deluxeand even made an appearance inPikmin 2, but maybe it also means Nintendo is saving a much more improved and fleshed-out Story Mode co-op experience for an updated version of the most recent title.
4Online Modes Will Be Limited To Two Players
In terms of the multiplayer Dandori Battle mode, only two players will be able to compete against one another, and while players will technically control a single character in co-op for the Story Mode, there will only be room for two players in this mode too.
This is exactly the same asPikmin 3where players could compete in the two-player Bingo Mode, so there unfortunately hasn’t been any attempt by Nintendo to allow groups of friends to experience the game together this time around. Consideringhow franticPikmin 4can already beon one screen though, it makes sense that four players might have been a bit too much to handle at once, similarly toKirby Forgotten Landswhich also was restricted to two players.
3Save Files Can Be Accessed From The Menu
When players first boot upPikmin 4, they will be asked whether they would like to begin the experience in single-player or in co-op mode, and once they decide this and the first cutscene begins to play, they will then be able to switch between both modes by simply pressing the Minus button and then selecting the option in the top right of the screen.
RELATED:Pikmin 4: Should You Import Save Data? (& What’s The Bonus Gift?)
However, players can also load an existing save in co-op by clicking on the “Options” menu and selecting it from there. It’s a good thing Nintendo has made it very easy to access the co-op features in this game since in many of its other titles, a lot of it can be hidden away behind multiple menus and tabs.
2The Power Of Pebbles
As Player 2 controls the cursor as part of the co-op Story Mode, they will also be able to throw pebbles which most people are probably going to use to damage enemies, and while they’re certainly very handy for this, they have a few other uses too which can help their partner out in some massive ways.
Not only can a pebble distract an enemy, making it much easier to evade detection during the night expeditions, but they can also speed up Pikmin who are transporting an item by shooting pebbles directly at them. Additionally, as Player 2 fires more pebbles to help out their partner, they will also be filling up the co-op gauge which can earn thema few rewardsthat they can drop for Player 1 to use along their journey.
1Dandori Battle Mode Provides A More Competitive Experience
While there is technically a co-op mode inPikmin 4, players also shouldn’t miss the opportunity to try out the game’s multiplayer mode which is a little more competitive, this being the Dandori Battle Mode. Not only does this provide a nice break from thelengthy Story Mode, but it’s also an incredibly fun mode in its own right, and undoubtedly a huge step in the right direction forPikminmultiplayer, demonstrating some incredibly unique ways it can be incorporated into the standard gameplay loop.
Dandori Battle pits one player against either another player or the CPU in a kind ofresource-management modewhere players must collect all the treasures scattered around the map within a certain time limit and while using a limited number of Pikmin. Out of the six levels that players can compete on, the last three are far more difficult than those found before them, so they’re definitely the ones that veteranPikminplayers should be directing most of their attention to.
