The Pikmin games in order of release are Pikmin (2001), Pikmin 2 (2004), Pikmin 3 (2013) and Pikmin 4 (2023), plus spin-offs such as Hey! Pikmin and the mobile game Pikmin Bloom. The good news: all four main games are playable on Nintendo Switch, and you do not need to play them in order to enjoy any of them.

If you just want a recommendation, start with Pikmin 4. Below we list every game, explain how the story connects and show the easiest way to play the full series in 2026.

Official Pikmin 1 + 2 screenshot of Captain Olimar with red Pikmin
The original Pikmin and Pikmin 2 are now available together on Switch as Pikmin 1 + 2. Image: Nintendo

Pikmin games in release order

  1. Pikmin (2001, GameCube): Captain Olimar crash-lands on an unknown planet and must recover his ship's parts before his life support runs out. Later ported to Wii and remastered for Switch in Pikmin 1 + 2.
  2. Pikmin 2 (2004, GameCube): Olimar returns with co-worker Louie to collect treasure and pay off his company's debt. Adds two playable leaders, caves and new Pikmin types. Also in Pikmin 1 + 2 on Switch.
  3. Pikmin 3 (2013, Wii U): three explorers from the planet Koppai, Alph, Brittany and Charlie, search for food. Re-released on Switch as Pikmin 3 Deluxe in 2020.
  4. Pikmin 4 (2023, Switch): you create your own Rescue Corps rookie who, with the dog Oatchi, searches for stranded explorers, Olimar included. A Nintendo Switch 2 Edition with the Dandori Academy mode launches November 12, 2026.

Pikmin spin-offs

  • Hey! Pikmin (2017, 3DS): a side-scrolling adventure starring Olimar and the series' first handheld entry.
  • Pikmin Bloom (2021, iOS and Android): a walking game made with Niantic in which your steps grow Pikmin and plant flowers on a real-world map.
  • Pikmin Finder (2023, browser): a short augmented reality game whose service ended on December 31, 2024, so it can no longer be played.
Official Pikmin 1 + 2 screenshot of Olimar and Louie exploring in Pikmin 2
Pikmin 2 picks up right after the first game and adds Louie as a second leader. Image: Nintendo

Pikmin story order explained

Nintendo has never published an official Pikmin timeline, and each game tells a mostly self-contained story. Still, the connections are easy to follow:

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  • Pikmin 2 is a direct sequel. It starts right after Olimar gets home at the end of the first game.
  • Pikmin 3 brings a new crew, but Olimar and Louie become part of the plot. The Deluxe version adds the Olimar's Comeback side story, where both are playable.
  • Pikmin 4 works as a fresh start. You rescue Olimar rather than play as him, and his own crash is retold in the side story Olimar's Shipwreck Tale.

In practice, story order and release order are the same for the main games, so playing 1, 2, 3 and 4 in sequence catches every callback.

Official Pikmin 3 Deluxe screenshot of Pikmin carrying fruit
Pikmin 3 Deluxe adds co-op story play and side stories starring Olimar and Louie. Image: Nintendo

How to play every Pikmin game on Switch and Switch 2

  • Pikmin 1 + 2: HD versions of the first two games, released digitally on June 21, 2023, with a physical bundle following on September 22, 2023.
  • Pikmin 3 Deluxe: released October 30, 2020. According to its official store page, it includes all of the original's DLC stages, co-op story play and Bingo Battle.
  • Pikmin 4: released July 21, 2023, and listed by Nintendo as supported on Switch 2. The Switch 2 Edition adds Dandori Academy and Oatchi voice commands, and Switch owners can buy an upgrade pack instead of the full game.

For the latest on the upgrade, the free demo and Pikmin Day, see our Pikmin 4 Switch 2 Edition news. Hey! Pikmin is only on 3DS and has no Switch version.

Official Pikmin 4 screenshot of two players in co-op mode
Pikmin 4 is the most approachable entry and the best place for newcomers to start. Image: Nintendo

Which Pikmin game should you play first?

  • Newcomers and younger players: Pikmin 4. It is the most modern and forgiving entry, Oatchi simplifies a lot of the micromanagement, and it is the only one with a Switch 2 Edition.
  • Story completionists: Pikmin 1 + 2, then Pikmin 3 Deluxe, then Pikmin 4. The first game's strict 30-day limit can feel tense, but it is short and sets up everything that follows.
  • Couch co-op: Pikmin 3 Deluxe, which lets a second player share the full story.

Common mistakes when starting the Pikmin series

  • Buying Pikmin 3 on Wii U: the Switch Deluxe version has everything from the original plus the extra side stories.
  • Treating Pikmin Bloom as the next game: it is a mobile walking app, not a strategy game like the main entries.
  • Paying twice for Pikmin 4: if you already own the Switch version, the upgrade pack unlocks the Switch 2 Edition without buying the game again.
  • Quitting the first game: the original's day limit can be intimidating, but every later entry is more relaxed. If you get stuck, jump to Pikmin 2 or 4 and come back later.

Pikmin FAQ

How many Pikmin games are there?

Four main games (Pikmin, Pikmin 2, Pikmin 3 and Pikmin 4) and three spin-offs (Hey! Pikmin, Pikmin Bloom and the discontinued Pikmin Finder).

Do I need to play the Pikmin games in order?

No. Each game explains its own rules and story. Playing in order only adds context for returning characters such as Olimar and Louie.

Is there a Pikmin 4 demo?

Yes. Nintendo offers a free demo on the eShop, and a demo for the Switch 2 Edition was scheduled for November 2, 2026, with save data that transfers to the full game. New to the console? Read our Nintendo Switch 2 guide.