Summary
Pikmin 4just reached another sales milestone as the real-time strategy game has sold more than 1 million copies in Japan.Pikmin 4broke records earlier this yearby becoming the best-selling game in the franchise just months after release. Now, the game continues to cruise along, remaining on charts and reaching new heights for the series.
Pikmin 4isn’t just a bestseller, but it’s also a critically acclaimed and fan-favorite title for Nintendo. Not to mention,Pikmin 4scored two ofNintendo’s 15 Game Awards 2023 nominationsand took home the prize for Best Sim/Strategy Game. As if that weren’t enough, the game continues to accumulate records.
In Japan alone,Pikmin 4has sold more than 1 million physical copies, according to sales numbers gathered byFamitsuand translated byGematsu. Nintendo historically doesn’t offer digital sales numbers, so the overall total forPikmin 4in Japan is likely much higher. To put this number into context,Pikmin, Pikmin 2,andPikmin3all sold far less than 2 million copies on the GameCube and Wii U, respectively. The Nintendo Switch has proven to have the secret formula, however, asPikmin 3 DeluxeandPikmin 4are now the two best-selling games in the series.
Best-Selling Games in Japan for 12/4/23 -12/10/23
Again, in Japan alone,Pikmin 4sold another 26,879 copies last week.Pikmin 4was the fourth best-selling game in the country during that period, slotted just ahead ofSuper Mario RPGandFinal Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade. The top-selling game in Japan last week was none other thanSuper Mario Bros. Wonder, which added another 82,470 copies to its total.
As the updated list ofbest-selling Nintendo Switch gamesshows, attach rates for the hybrid console have been extraordinarily high. Despite selling roughly 20 million more units than the Switch at this point, nothing in the Nintendo DS library has sold anywhere close toMario Kart 8 DeluxeorAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsnumbers. Not to take anything away from the successPikmin 4is enjoying, but software across the board has largely seen a bump thanks to the enthusiasm Switch owners have for the console.
With the current year coming to a close,Nintendo has already announced several 2024 games– a few of which are coming in the first quarter. The upcoming calendar year also looks to be an exciting time for Nintendo fans, considering many believe that is when the company will unveil, and potentially release, the Switch’s successor. Until then, Switch gamers are already likely to have more than a few games in their backlog between 2023 releases likeSuper Mario Bros. Wonder, Super Mario RPG, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom,and, of course,Pikmin 4.
Pikmin 4
WHERE TO PLAY
Guide pint-sized creatures in an endearing expedition! Meet Pikmin: small, plantlike creatures with distinct abilities that you can grow, pluck, guide, and overpower enemies with! Use your Pikmin’s miniature might (and a bit of strategy) to explore this mysterious planet in search of your crew—and treasure.Lead your loyal and curious squad To succeed, you’ll have to balance caring for the Pikmin with leading them into dangerous situations. Do your best out there!Pikmin grow from pellets and wildlife that you can bring to your ship. Pluck them from the ground to have them join you. Go team!Lead your squad through vast explorable areas to find treasures, discover new paths, and battle enemies of all sizes. You can also direct the Pikmin to collect and carry resources that are helpful for your mission. Up to three Pikmin types can be with you in the field at a time—the rest will hang back until you need them.When their task is done, the Pikmin will wait in place for you. Get close and blow your whistle to summon them to your side! This handy action can also help you protect the Pikmin from danger, do a headcount, or simply bring them with you to your next task.
