Pikmin 4 is a relatively short game when all's said and done, at least when it comes to the main story, anyway. Most players will be able to complete it in under 15 hours if they focus only on the main story objectives, but there's plenty of other content to keep players busy once they've rescued Captain Olimar and watched the end credits role.
In addition to its wealth of side content, the game also boasts a healthy supply of post-game content. Granted, Pikmin 4 does not have a New Game Plus mode, nor are there different difficulty settings, but there are several new stages as well as a few unlockable game modes for players to jump into once they're finished with the main story.
Unlock the True Ending
After finding Captain Olimar, players will unlock two new stages. First, they'll gain access to the Giant's Hearth area, after which, they'll be able to visit the Primordial Thicket. It's here that players will be able to begin the process of curing Oatchi, which will be key for those hoping to see the game's true ending. They'll also be able to get the Black and Pink Onions in these bonus stages, which are needed to harvest Rock and Winged Pikmin respectively.
Complete Olimar's Shipwreck Tale
Completing Pikmin 4 will also unlock the "Olimar's Shipwreck Tale" side quest, which can be triggered by speaking with Captain Olimar at Rescue Command Post. In this game mode, players will need to collect all thirty ship parts in just fifteen days or fewer, and using only Red, Blue, and Yellow Pikmin. The Dolphin parts are found throughout the game's first four stages, with seven in Sun-Speckled Terrace and Hero's Hideaway and eight a piece in Blossoming Arcadia and Serene Shores.
Complete the Trial of the Sage Leaf
If players complete Olimar's Shipwreck Tale they'll unlock the Trial of the Sage Leaf. This trial is made up of ten unique Dandori Challenges, each with its own themes and tasks. Completing all ten trials will reward players with the White and Purple Onions, which they'll need in order to cultivate their own White and Purple Pikmin. Players will be able to access the cave in which these challenges take place from the Rescue Command Post.
Find Every Rescue, Onion, and Treasure
Those looking for something to do after completing Pikmin 4 may want to dive back into some of the previous areas. This is because completing certain tasks can reward players with special skills and items, including Oatchi's Infinite Rush skill and the Plucking Whistle Lab item. Between the four main stages and the two bonus ones, there are 45 castaways, 22 Onions and Flarlics, and more than 200 treasures, which should be enough to keep players busy for quite some time.
Complete All Side Quests
Players will likely tick off a lot of the game's side quests on their way to getting 100% on every stage and unlocking all of Pikmin 4's completion rewards, but there are a few extra ones that will need to be triggered from the Rescue Command Post once certain Castaways have been rescued. It's here that players can take on Night Expeditions or replay previously completed Dandori Battles in an attempt to get the Platinum medals. Only after players have done all this can they truly say that they've completed Pikmin 4.
Pikmin 4 is available now exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.
