Nintendo has revealed a surprise Nintendo Direct for Pikmin Day because it has apparently decided that’s a thing now.
Instead of spooky game announcements or horror movie memes, the first thing video game fans woke up to on Halloween 2026 was Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto’s face. That’s because Nintendo has declared November 1 as Pikmin Day, and it’s got a brand-new Direct to celebrate the occasion.
Yes, really. None of this is a joke. There’s a little more than nine minutes of announcements to go over. Although there’s no Pikmin 5 reveal or anything else too groundbreaking here, Miyamoto did take the time to reveal new information about Pikmin 4 while promising that, “going forward, I want people to know more about Pikmin.”
Tomorrow is Pikmin Day!
Join in on the fun by playing Pikmin games on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. https://t.co/iYxZldya7p
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) October 31, 2026
So, to start, why is the first of November Pikmin Day? Nintendo’s miniaturized franchise launched in Japan in October 2001 before coming to North America in December, so there’s no tie to a release date like you might have guessed. Instead, Miyamoto explained that November 1 is Pikmin Day because there were originally only three Pikmin, which, when standing next to each other, kinda looks like “11.1.”
Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy
You gotta give ’em credit for creativity, as Pikmin Day is probably one of the last things anyone expected to see today. Still, it served as a nice opportunity to offer an update on Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy ahead of its release November 12, 2026. Players will be able to use the new consoles built-in microphone to Oatchi, controlling them by using commands like ‘rush’ and ‘go to work.’
The Dandori Academy mode, meanwhile, comes with new challenges, including exams that take place on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, that give players timed tasks and an opportunity to earn medals. A demo for the Switch 2 version of Pikimin 4 will be available starting November 2, with save data available to transfer to the full launch. It offers access to the Sun-Speckled Terrace opening area, as well as two Dandori Academy stages.
Pikmin Bloom
Secret Caves are coming this winter!
Get ready to explore Secret Caves, face off against familiar creatures, and uncover hidden treasures along the way in @PikminBloom on your smartphone. https://t.co/Nx6Lzba6v4
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) October 31, 2026
Nintendo first brought its augmented-reality game, Pikmin Bloom, to smartphone devices in 2021, but five years on, and it’s still got more to give. As shown in a teaser video featuring a group of the colorful plant-like creatures battling a Bulborb, an update scheduled to arrive this winter will add a new mechanic called Secret Caves. These battle-focused exploration events allow players to take their crew into caves to battle creatures and earn rewards.
Before a cave is explored, players must collect a cave map, which feature information about a cave and can be found on things like Postcards. Then, Pikmin are sent into the cave to search for treasures, with some of the items highlighted during the Direct including a rubber duck, a sword, a cookie, and a chef hat. Should a battle ensue, you’ll command your army by sending them in to attack when the moment is right, or retreat if things get too hairy. Pikmin 4’s Dandori Academy challenges also give players an opportunity to collect maps by taking exams.
Shigeru Miyamoto Really Likes Pikmin, But He’s Not Alone
If you couldn’t tell from the video games, shorts, and Easter Eggs Nintendo has highlighted through the franchise’s 25-year history, it’s got a soft spot for Pikmin. Miyamoto has spearheaded this charge, and because he wants people to know more about the company’s adorable little mascots, he’s enlisted some help.
Joining him during the Nintendo Direct broadcast was Japanese actress and crafty Pikmin fan Fuka Koshiba. Known for her work on TV projects like Siren and films like Lady Kaga, Miyamoto brought her in to help him “build more excitement around Pikmin going forward” after she shared hand-made Pikmin-themed hats on Instagram.
“Originally, I had heard on social media that you could get hats of the Red Pikmin, Blue Pikmin, and Yellow Pikmin from those claw machines,” Koshiba said, holding one of her hats. “I’m not good at the claw machines, but I really wanted the hats, so I thought, ‘Well, let’s just knit them.'”
“I see,” Miyamoto replied. “I’m also bad at the claw machines.”
A New Pikmin Original Short Movie
The Pikmin Day Direct also featured a brand-new Pikmin Original Short Movie. Following last year’s Close to You short, this video sees a Red Pikmin do its best to grab a baseball from a frog. It’s as cute as you could ever expect.
As part of Nintendo’s initiative to lean harder into the series, new shorts will be released monthly via the Nintendo Today! app, as well as other channels. However, there will also be a new episode released tomorrow, with another set to follow sometime in November. Miyamoto said he’s collaborating with Nintendo Pictures staff to make the shorts.
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Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
