Set aside Pikmin 4 for a moment because Digital Foundry has just released its technical analysis of Pikmin 1+2 for the Nintendo Switch.
Yes, in case you missed it, Nintendo actually made these classic titles available in June ahead of the fourth game’s release. So how do the HD versions of these games compare to the original experiences on the GameCube?
According to dataminer OatmealDome (via Digital Foundry), Pikmin 1+2 on the Switch appear to be using a “similar hybrid emulation system” to Super Mario Sunshine’s re-release. This system provides accurate results while also adding some enhancements to the games.
Digital Foundry: “It’s the same technology at its core. Pikmin 1 and 2 run on an emulator called ‘hagi’ – Nintendo’s own proprietary GameCube and Wii emulator, which emulates the GPU functions of the GameCube, while the CPU side is compiled to run natively on Switch.”
In terms of resolution, both Pikmin 1+2 have a native resolution of 1080p in docked mode and 720p in handheld mode. This is a significant improvement compared to the original releases on GameCube and Wii, which ran at 480p. However, the HD versions of Pikmin 1+2 do not include anti-aliasing and textures remain mostly untouched. On the positive side, the menus and UI have been upgraded, and pre-rendered cutscenes have been AI upscaled by Nintendo.
As for the frame rate, both Pikmin 1+2 on the Switch run at a locked 30fps and maintain a consistent performance. Digital Foundry does acknowledge that it would have been nice to see these games running at 60fps, as modders have previously achieved this with upgrades to textures and shaders.
Digital Foundry describes Pikmin 1+2 on the Switch as “basic ports” that recreate an authentic experience. If you’re interested in a second opinion or want to learn more about Pikmin 1+2 on the Switch, be sure to check out the Nintendo Life reviews: