Nintendo is dropping a surprise Pikmin 3 Switch demo today

Nintendo will release a Pikmin 3 Deluxe demo on the Nintendo Switch eShop today, it’s announced.

The pre-release demo features save-data transfer with the full game and those who complete it will unlock immediate access to the new “Ultra-Spicy” difficulty mode in the full game, and other perks.

The news was shared during a special Treehouse: Live stream on Wednesday, in which Nintendo of America shared new gameplay of the Switch port and its additional features (the whole stream can be watched again via the video embed above).

Switch’s Pikmin 3 Deluxe will release on October 30 with new story content, co-op features and settings that make it “easy for newcomers to jump in.”

Originally released for Wii U in 2013, Pikmin 3 has players controlling one of three space captains, who in turn command a horde of up to 100 plant-like creatures and use their abilities to explore, combat enemies and solve puzzles.

Most significantly, Deluxe adds new prologue and epilogue story missions featuring protagonists Olimar and Louie, the ability to play in co-op on the same console, as well as head-to-head multiplayer matches in the form of Bingo Battle.

The game has also added the Piklopedia, which contains information on creatures players encounter during their adventures. In addition, players can collect in-game badges by meeting certain conditions.