Shigeru Miyamoto has officially unveiled Pikmin 4

Nintendo has officially announced plans to release Pikmin 4 for Nintendo Switch in 2023.

Game design chief Shigeru Miyamoto announced the launch window during a Nintendo Direct presentation on Tuesday and showed the first footage of the long-coming sequel.

In a suggestion that the game could see a significant change in its formula, Miyamoto said the game will let users play from Pikmins’ perspective nearer to the ground.

Pikmin 4 Onion Locations

Purple Online location | White Onion location | Ice Onion Location | Rock Onion Location | Pink Onion Location

The first sneak peek at the next game, which is viewable above, features a tranquil park and a napping Bulborb, but was missing actual Pikmin.

“We won’t be showing any gameplay today,” Miyamoto said. “You’ll be able to play like this, from the Pikmin’s perspective near the ground.

“Nintendo Switch has made controlling the game simpler, meaning you can further concentrate on the core essence of Pikmin gameplay. We call it ‘Dandori’ in Japanese, or strategically planning, deploying and commanding the Pikmin.

“I hope you’re all looking forward to Pikmin 4.”

Shigeru Miyamoto first confirmed Pikmin 4 as part of an interview with Eurogamer back in 2015.

In 2017, the same publication asked Miyamoto about the project again – and heard from the designer that it was still progressing.

“It’s actually very close to completion,” Miyamoto said at the time. “Pikmin teams are always working on the next one.”