Pikmin 4 Promotion in Full Swing
Nintendo’s highly anticipated Pikmin 4 is finally on the horizon, marking the first brand-new numbered entry in the popular franchise in a decade. As the release draws closer, Nintendo is ramping up its promotional efforts. Apart from releasing trailers and showcasing the game on the Switch, Nintendo is also extending its promotion to the mobile platform.
Pikmin Bloom Reward for Completing Pikmin 4 Demo
Following the surprise release of Pikmin 1 and 2 remasters on the Nintendo Switch, fans eagerly awaited news about Pikmin Bloom—the franchise’s mobile title. Today, with the release of the demo for Pikmin 4, it has now been revealed that completing the demo will unlock special rewards in Pikmin Bloom.
Upon completing the demo of Pikmin 4 on the Nintendo Switch, players can unlock a special Mii costume in Pikmin Bloom. This costume allows players to ride Oatchi, a new character in Pikmin 4 who assists the main protagonist by carrying heavy objects and transporting the player and their Pikmin. It’s a clear homage to Oatchi’s role in the upcoming game.
Pikmin Bloom’s Success Compared to Pokémon Go
Pikmin Bloom, released globally in 2021 as an augmented reality (AR) walking-based game developed by Niantic, has garnered attention, but it hasn’t reached the same level of success as Pokémon Go. In its first two weeks, Pikmin Bloom achieved 2 million downloads, which is impressive in its own right. However, it falls short when compared to the astounding 75 million downloads Pokémon Go achieved in the same time frame.
It’s important to note that living up to Pokémon Go’s success is a challenging task for any game. Despite this, Pikmin Bloom has managed to weather the AR storm better than other similar games like Minecraft Earth and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite. Nintendo’s involvement in the game’s development and promotion likely contributes to its sustained success. Moreover, this success may lead to the cultivation of a new player base for the Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo’s Cross-Promotion Strategy
Nintendo has a history of using mobile games to cross-promote titles on the Switch. In January, new characters were introduced in the mobile game Fire Emblem Heroes before their appearance in Fire Emblem Engage, creating excitement among players on both platforms.
During launch, Fire Emblem Engage provided exclusive in-game items that could only be obtained by playing Fire Emblem Heroes. This incentivized Switch players to engage with the mobile title to enhance their console gaming experience. Interestingly, the situation is currently reversed with Pikmin, as exclusive rewards in the mobile title are now being offered for playing on the Switch.
As for when Pikmin 4’s new species of Pikmin will be introduced in the mobile game, time will tell.