Summary
RTS games have had a weird history on consoles. Companies have tried many times to make them work on systems like the PS1. Some of theWarCraftandCommand and Conquergames made it to that console with mixed results. The modern consoles struggle too even though things have gotten better between console and PC integration.
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There is one company that figured out how to make an RTS work on a console with relative ease. Nintendo made an achievement on the GameCube in 2001 with the release of Pikmin. Over two decades later, the series is still making a splash with the latest release ofPikmin 4. Some aspects even blow away PC RTS games, so let’s dive in to find out whyPikmin 4is doing so well.
8Cute Soldiers
Most RTS games feature grizzled soldiers or pawns that are not cute aesthetically. That’s the complete opposite of thePikminfranchise because the plant critters are all adorable. From the basic Red Pikmin to the bulbous Rock Pikmin, thePikmin designs look great inPikmin 4.
They’re the type of “soldiers” that players are going to feel bad about losing. Their power variety is also interesting like the Ice Pikmin’s ability to freeze water or opponents.
7A Close Partner Via Oatchi
New toPikmin 4is Oatchi, who is a dog but also a Pikmin technically. The great thing about Oatchi is that it can carry the player and all of the Pikmin as well. It eliminates the idea of having to micromanage an enemy while avoiding enemies as well.
Players can also go on separate excursions with Oatchi to help solve puzzles like going into a separate drain pipe to flip a switch and lower bars. Controlling Oatchi may not be as impactful as driving a tank or some other armored vehicle in an RTS game, but the versatility of Oatchi more than makes up for that.
6Exploring Rich Environments
A lot of RTS games have exploration because the map is darkened out. Classic examples would includeCommand and ConquerorWarCraft. Most RTS games are played from a top-down perspective, so players cannot enjoy these exploration missions.
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Even modern RTS games that play from 3D perspectives don’t have as beautiful a range ofenvironments asPikmin 4. The biomes of the game range from sunny beaches to messy homes. There is a sense of photorealism amidst the wild creations of the Pikmin.
5The Combat
There is nothing super special about the combat and that’s okay. There isn’t a huge emphasis on combat which is different from most RTS games. Monsters are everywhere in these biomes but once the big ones are defeated, they stay down.
Also, players don’t have to worry about building up an army to defend a base from invading creatures, so it is less stress-inducing. There is an exception to this inPikmin 4via nighttime missionswith Glow Pikmin. These segments are the most RTS-like thing about the game but they are a very small part of the experience.
4Upgrading Your Abilities
This game has more RPG elements than previous games to help players have a better sense of progression. Players can collect materials that are used for making structures in the environment as well as building gadgets.
Russ, the gadget maker, can creategear inPikmin 4that can boost stats like health or provide great mechanics like a radar to call Pikmin back from the base. All of these upgrades are permanent for the player and for Oatchi. Players won’t have to worry about losing progress via downed units like in other RTS games.
3Difficulty Ramps Up Gradually
There are no difficulty modes in the game but that is okay. There are a lot of factors that can help players ease their way into the experience. Oatchi is a big help along with the aforementioned upgrade system.
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The further players make it into the game, the harder things will become. In a lot of RTS games from classics likeStarCraftto more modern examples likeHalo Wars, the difficulty seems to spike after a few missions. It can be hard to get into the genre without a lot of practice.
2Boss Battles
The one aspect of the combat that does get tricky is the boss battles. This is where players have to put all of their skills to the test, makingPikmin 4feel more like an action game inThe Legend of Zeldaseries.
Not many RTS games haveelaborate boss battleslike this, which is a Nintendo special. One example includes pulling a tail on an amoeba-like creature to separate its body from its gooey protective barrier. Another example includes throwing a water creature off of its rock car to beat it up.
1No Need To Worry About About Building
Micromanaging is a huge part of RTS gamesand strategy gamesas a whole. It can be incredibly rewarding to build armies and structures to then see that progress destroy enemies in a level. It can be stressful too and that’s the opposite goal ofPikmin 4.
Players don’t have to worry about building things to then see those structures destroyed as they are all permanent. Bases cannot be destroyed either, except in the nighttime expectations, which again, are a small portion of the experience and operate more like mini-games.
Pikmin 4was released on Jun 23, 2025, and is available on Switch.
