As one might expect from a tutorial section, the opening stages of Pikmin 4 introduce players to several key mechanics. First, they'll learn how to round up Pikmin by whistling, after which, they'll be given a few glimpses into how combat and map traversal work. One of the most notable things about this section is that the playable character Olimar spends it riding around on the back of a dog named Moss, though this is a feature that is absent once players are introduced to their own space pup Oatchi a little later on.
Given that players are able to ride around on Moss in the tutorial section, many will likely be wondering why they can't ride Oatchi once their journey as a Rescue Corps rookie begins. Well, as it turns out, it is actually possible to ride Oatchi in Pikmin 4, though, as is the case with many of the game's mechanics, this is something that won't be available right away. The good news is that players won't have to wait too long until they can mount their adorable space pup, with the skill being unlocked fairly early on.
How to Ride Oatchi in Pikmin 4
When players first meet Oatchi he is incredibly small, which explains why they won't be able to ride him right away. Thankfully, Oatchi will go through an overnight growth spurt once players rescue the S.S. Shepherd's resident scientist Russ, after which, players will be able to ride him. Russ can be found down in the Last-Frost Cavern Sublevel, which will likely be the first Sublevel that players stumble across in the Sun-Speckled Terrace area. Most players will visit this location sometime between Day 2 and Day 4, although some may take a little longer to get there.
Once he has grown to his full size, players will be able to ride Oatchi by pressing the X button. While riding him, all of the Pikmin following the player will also hop on, which can be a great way to keep them safe from predators. Unlike the playable character, Oatchi is able to jump, which players can do by pressing the Y button. Holding the Y button down after landing will charge up a dash, and players can use this to break through walls, destroy ceramic pots, and even attack enemies. However, it's important to note that Oatchi can take damage from enemies, so players should be careful how and when they use this mechanic.
Pikmin 4 is available now exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.
