Fans looking forward toPikmin 4have been treated to a free playable demo offering several notable incentives for completing it, one of which comes in the form of aPikmin Bloomcrossover. This development arrived mere days after the game’s latest trailer revealed thatPikmin 4will introduce one franchise-first feature.
Originally launched on the GameCube in 2001, thePikminseries has been without a new mainline installment sincePikmin 3hit the Wii U in 2013. However, Nintendo did greenlight some re-releases and spinoffs over the following decade, including the 2021Pikmin Bloommobile game fromPokemon GOdeveloperNiantic.
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WithPikmin 4now drawing near, the long-awaited sequel is getting a free playable demo which will net anyone who completes it a free Oatchi-Rider Costume that can be used inPikmin Bloom. The 4.8GB slice of the game is already available for download worldwide, with Nintendo confirming that its save file will transfer over to the full game. The demo allows players tocreate and customize theirPikmin 4charactersbefore delving into the opening section of the title’s story mode, where they will be tasked with collecting 1,500 energy before the end of the first in-game day. Apart from a glimpse at the series' signature combination of RTS and puzzler gameplay, the demo also offers support for two-player co-op.
Additionally, the same demo will be playable at some of Nintendo’s partner retailers from July 7 through October 19. Completing it in-store will reward players with a QR code that can be scanned in exchange for 200 My Nintendo Platinum Points. And while the eShop version of thePikmin 4demo can be downloaded globally, its promo exhibit will only be available at the locations of select U.S. retailers: Best Buy, GameStop, Target, and Walmart.
Nintendo is currently also running a promo that nets anyone who pre-orders the digital version ofPikmin 410% of its purchase price in My Nintendo Gold Points, which is double the regular loyalty bonus rate. Getting 600 Gold Points for a full-priced game is equivalent to a $6 discount that can be used toward buying other eShop titles and DLC. Anyone who pre-orderedPikmin 4prior to the promo should already have the extra points added to their account. The wording of Nintendo’s announcement suggests this offer might even remain available afterPikmin 4releases on July 21, but presumably not for much longer than that.
Unlike the Nintendo Gold Points promo, the offer of an exclusivePikmin Bloomcostume will seemingly remain available indefinitely. The same bonus item will also be redeemable from the My Nintendo Rewards website after completing the first day in the full game, even without playing thePikmin 4demo.
