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It looks like a much-anticipated Nintendo Switch exclusive could be launching sooner than we thought, if one retailer’s listing is to be believed.
The Nintendo Switch game in question, Picmin 4, has been in development for years. However, My Nintendo News (opens in new tab) saw a May 23 release date for the game, listed by Greek retailer Game Explorers. Considering we’ve seen relatively little of it Picmin 4 so far that launch date feels a little earlier than we expected.
A brief glimpse of Picmin 4 was shown during the September 2022 Nintendo Direct presentation, alongside the Niantic-developed Picmin Bloom mobile phone application. At the time, a loose ‘2023’ release window was given by producer Shigeru Miyamoto.
This store listing for Picmin 4 comes right after the February Nintendo Direct rumors (thanks, Game Rant (opens in new tab)), which insider Jeff Grubb thinks could happen as early as this week.
Of course, that would be in line with Nintendo’s past Direct output. The Kyoto-based tech giant usually hosts a Nintendo Direct presentation during the month of February. This collection of rumors, if true, points to Picmin 4 being a marquee for the next Nintendo Direct showcase.
A grain of salt the size of a Pikmin
While it is quite possible for Picmin 4 to launch at the end of May, I’d say it’s not the best time for the game to come out. That’s because May 12 marks the release of arguably the biggest Nintendo Switch game since its launch in 2017; that means The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Get ahead of May 23, the possible release date Picmin 4I imagine millions of Switch owners will still be too busy exploring the skies above Hyrule to mess around in the infested gardens and damp undergrowth of Picmin 4.
That’s not to say that Pikmin isn’t popular, as it’s maintained a strong cult following since the Gamecube days. However, it is mostly overshadowed by Nintendo’s A team. Your Zeldas, your Marios. Hell, even your Xenoblades and Fire Emblems at this point.
Even still, or Picmin 4 hits or misses that supposed May 23 date, Nintendo Switch owners will be looking for all the first-party support they can get. Aside from Zelda and Pikmin, we’re eagerly awaiting post-launch DLC for that Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Enable fire emblem And Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
With Nintendo rumored to be skipping E3 alongside its competitors Microsoft and Sony, chances are Nintendo doesn’t have much to offer in terms of first-party output for its flagship console; and could put all his eggs in the Nintendo Switch 2 basket instead.