Pikmin 4

Pikmin 4 is an action strategy game where you direct tiny, plant-like creatures to clean up the world and collect treasure. Different coloured Pikmins have different abilities, with several new types in this fourth game. The challenge is using the right ones (dog-like Ochi) to destroy obstacles, avoid hazards and fight fauna. It stands out as a strategy challenge that is approachable to a wide audience yet still gets surprisingly complex and involved in the later stages.

CONTENT RATING

Mild Violence

PLATFORMS

Nintendo Switch

POSITIVE GAMEPLAY

Calming

Leadership

Parent-Child Co-Play

Rural Life

Simple Fun

Social Play

Strategy

PLAY STYLE

Competitive Local

Co-Op Local

Co-Op Assistant Role

Split-Screen

Team with Game Allies

Team Up

You play the diminutive commander of an army of minute plant-like aliens called Pikmin and explore an earth-like planet's gardens and houses for "treasures", such as a fidget spinner or a battery. You use the different types of Pikmin to get past and destroy obstacles and defeat hostile creatures; each type of Pikmin has its own abilities, such as burning, freezing, or illuminating, and using each one for the right task is essential. Another part of your army is Ochi, a strange dog-like creature you can use to ride over bodies of water and help your Pikmin fight, move treasure, and destroy obstacles.

Unlike other strategy games where you directly control your troops, Pikmin have their own intelligence and are worked with rather than commanded; you can choose which Pikmin do what, but it's up to them to see it done. Some of the later levels, especially nighttime adventures, which see you face off against more powerful and populous foes, get fairly complex, requiring efficient and considered deployment of Ochi and all your Pikmin. Throughout it all though is a sense of exploration and adventure, and excitement at discovering each new challenge and reward.

The result is a game that starts quite simply but soon develops into a considerably nuanced real-time strategy game. Because of its plant and creature aesthetic, it's a great game to introduce this concept to younger players.

GAMEPLAY TRAILER

Good to know

Insights to ensure your child's gaming experience remains safe and enjoyable

Develop strategic thinking

Strategy games promote strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity. They encourage planning ahead and considering consequences. Develop these skills by asking children to talk through their choices and explain how they came to that decision.

Match skill level

Strategy games vary in complexity. Choose games that match your child's skill level to provide an enjoyable yet challenging experience.

Improve life skills

These games often ask players to make choices like in business, such as managing money and resources. This can help improve these skills in real life.

Skill level age

Suggested by Family Gaming Database

7+

Although there is some strategy and puzzle solving skill required, any aged child can enjoy this with a more experienced player.

Content rating

Rated PEGI 3 for occasional very mild violence in a comical context. It also has scenes of partial nudity of a non-sexual nature. Suitable for all ages. This game features very mild forms of violence towards fantasy characters. The player fights enemies by throwing small creatures called Pikmin at them. Reactions do not feature visible harm. One of the treasures the player is able to collect is a Venus-de-Milo-like statue that depicts breasts in a non-sexual context.

PEGI rating explained?