Pikmin 2

Slightly above average or simply inoffensive. Fans of the genre should enjoy them a bit, but a fair few will be left unfulfilled.

Pikmin 2 is a fantastic follow-up to the 2001 original that expands upon its predecessor's core gameplay in some neat and well-considered ways. This is a bigger game, with more areas and dungeons to explore, a larger variety of Pikmin to work with, multiple protagonists to control, and a few extra modes thrown in for good measure. It may be a bare-bones port, and we do really miss those Duracells, but this is a game that's aged remarkably well and, with foundations as delightfully entertaining and inventive as this, it's still an experience that we highly recommend checking out on Switch.

Pikmin 1+2 is a great opportunity to delve into the franchise' origins, especially if you have already played Pikmin 3 or Pikmin 4, also available on Switch. GameCube classics are still fun, but this re-releases are just basic HD ports.

Pikmin 1 + 2 could be a good opportunity for Nintendo Switch players who want to experience original games, but it is a scarce game in terms of adding new things. Pricing is a bit inconvenient for replaying games with only high resolution graphics.

Pikmin 2 is a tough game to recommend, especially with the brand new Pikmin 4 featuring a much more successful version of its key feature, the caverns. The high difficulty requires a lot of investment from the player to overcome, and the lack of bespoke design underground makes the journey to overcome those obstacles too tedious to feel rewarding. Dedicated fans who want to be pushed into learning the intricacies of Pikmin's mechanics will find something special in the unique challenge, but pretty much everything else about Pikmin 2 has been pulled off much better in another game in the franchise.

How these two games had gracefully aged, it is another proof of Nintendo's genius touch. Simple gameplay from the first game remains charming, it is essential series gameplay, while the second part brings nice enhancements to the formula. Finally you can have full Pikmin Saga on Switch!

If anyone comes into these remasters expecting Metroid Prime or Skyward Sword levels of work, be prepared to be disappointed because these releases are more akin to the Super Mario Sunshine reissue included with Super Mario 3D All-Stars. I see the primary audience from Nintendo’s point of view being those who have never played Pikmin who are interested in Pikmin 4, however not having all the options from Pikmin 3 Deluxe (also on Switch) limits the enjoyment for those introduced to the series from that release as the other main Pikmin games were released on systems that don’t have official support anymore and a very small percentage of people actually had a Wii U. Also, the fact that buying the two games separately is $10 more than buying both together is just an odd business strategy. Overall, I would say these games are worth playing, but are unfortunately not definitive versions that wholly replace previous releases or bring changes that future releases would make to the previous titles.

Pikmin 1+2 is close to being the definitive way to experience these games before playing the second and third sequels. The low-effort porting of these games is a letdown, but the core games are wonderful and are faithfully converted to run on a reliable and widely available console.

Pikmin 2 manages to simultaneously evolve the gameplay of Pikmin 1 in countless aspects and put into practice several decisions that nullify the best elements of the predecessor. It is still a great experience but with small adjustments, it could go far beyond "great". On top of that, the Nintendo Switch port decided to mess with what worked, de-characterizing some of the game's most memorable elements. Beyond that, it's a basic version with an upscale to HD, a controversial new control scheme, and a handful of quality-of-life tweaks.

Pikmin 2 returns on Nintendo Switch with updated visuals and the same quirky charm that made it a fan favorite. This sequel expands the original formula with new Pikmin types, two-character multitasking, and a wealth of treasures to collect. While the cave-heavy design and limited remastering may not appeal to everyone, Pikmin 2 remains a fun, strategic adventure that’s worth revisiting—especially for those who love managing tiny plant creatures in big, strange worlds.