Pikmin 3 Deluxe has been officially rated for Nintendo Switch 2 by the Pan European Game Information board (PEGI), sparking speculation that Nintendo is preparing a significant update for the game. The rating appeared on December 28, 2025, filed by Nintendo of Europe SE with the same PEGI 3 classification as the original Switch version. This development comes after Pikmin 3 Deluxe experienced numerous technical issues when played on Switch 2 through backward compatibility.
What The PEGI Rating Means
The PEGI listing categorizes this as a free upgrade rather than a separate Switch 2 Edition, similar to how other Nintendo first-party titles like Super Mario Odyssey and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet received complimentary enhancements. When games receive paid Switch 2 Editions, they appear as distinct entries on PEGI’s website with separate ratings and product listings.
Nintendo has not officially announced any plans for a Pikmin 3 Deluxe Switch 2 update, and the company typically doesn’t comment on ratings board filings before formal reveals. However, the pattern of PEGI listings has proven reliable for predicting upcoming game releases and updates throughout the Switch 2’s lifecycle.
The game’s description on the PEGI website remains identical to the original Switch version, noting it contains “occasional, very mild violence in a comical or abstract context” and is suitable for all ages. No additional details about what enhancements or features the Switch 2 version might include were provided in the rating.
The Troubled Launch On Switch 2
Pikmin 3 Deluxe has been one of the most problematic first-party Nintendo games when played on Switch 2 through backward compatibility. Players reported widespread issues including constant screen flickering, visual glitches, input lag in menus, gameplay stuttering, hard crashes, and an ominous red glow that would persist on screen during certain scenes.
The screen flickering proved particularly disruptive, occurring not just during day transitions as Nintendo initially acknowledged, but throughout gameplay. YouTube user imonlyhereforpikmin documented the extensive problems in a detailed video, calling the game “borderline broken” due to frequent crashes that made completion nearly impossible.
Nintendo acknowledged these issues and initially released patch version 1.1.1, which “partially alleviated an issue that occurs when playing on Nintendo Switch 2 where the entire screen flickers during some scenes in the game, such as when a day starts and ends.” The company promised a complete fix “in the near future.” A subsequent update, version 1.1.2, arrived with more comprehensive fixes.
What Nintendo Has Already Fixed
The version 1.1.2 patch addressed many of the Switch 2 compatibility problems with surprisingly detailed patch notes by Nintendo’s standards. The update fixed the screen flickering issue where “the entire screen will briefly turn off and on again in several scenes of the game, such as at the beginning and end of a day.”
Nintendo also included its characteristically vague statement that “several adjustments have been made to improve gameplay on Nintendo Switch 2.” This second note presumably addresses the other reported issues including crashes, input lag, stuttering, and visual glitches that players experienced beyond the screen flickering.
Players who tested the game after the 1.1.2 update reported significant improvements, with most claiming the game now runs properly on Switch 2. However, Nintendo warned that the demo version of Pikmin 3 Deluxe still contains these issues and will receive the same fixes “in a future update.”
| Issue | Status Before Patch | Status After Patch 1.1.2 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen flickering | Constant throughout gameplay | Fixed |
| Hard crashes | Frequent, game-breaking | Reportedly resolved |
| Input lag | Noticeable in menus | Improved |
| Visual glitches | Texture problems, red glow | Addressed |
| Performance stuttering | During intense gameplay | Optimized |
Why Pikmin Fans Are Frustrated
The community’s frustration stems from how Nintendo has handled the Pikmin franchise on Switch 2 compared to other first-party series. At Switch 2’s launch in June 2025, Nintendo released free updates for numerous games including Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, and Splatoon 3. These updates added performance improvements, resolution boosts, and sometimes HDR support.
None of the four Pikmin titles available on Switch received any enhancements at Switch 2’s launch. Pikmin 1, Pikmin 2, Pikmin 3 Deluxe, and Pikmin 4 all run through standard backward compatibility without taking advantage of the Switch 2’s improved hardware. This seemed particularly bizarre given that Pikmin is one of Shigeru Miyamoto’s pet projects and has experienced renewed popularity in recent years.
The situation became even more confusing in October 2025 when Nintendo announced a major free update for Pikmin 4. The update added Photo Mode, new difficulty options including Relaxed and Fierce modes, and Decor Pikmin from Pikmin Bloom hidden throughout the game. Despite being released during the Switch 2 era and specifically promoting these new features, the update included zero Switch 2-specific enhancements.
Could A Switch 2 Edition Still Come
The PEGI listing indicates a free update rather than a paid Switch 2 Edition, but that doesn’t mean a more substantial release isn’t possible later. Nintendo has released both free updates and paid Switch 2 Editions for some franchises, and the company could follow a similar strategy with Pikmin.
Switch 2 Editions typically include new content, significant graphical overhauls, and quality-of-life improvements beyond simple resolution bumps. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom both received Switch 2 Editions as paid upgrades. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond launched simultaneously as a Switch game with a free update and a separate Switch 2 Edition with enhanced features.
Pikmin fans have been vocal about features they’d like to see in proper Switch 2 versions. Mouse and keyboard support for the strategy-heavy gameplay seems like an obvious addition that would significantly improve the experience. Enhanced graphics leveraging the Switch 2’s more powerful hardware could bring the beautiful environments and character models to life with better lighting and particle effects.
A Pikmin 4 Switch 2 Edition with additional story missions, new Pikmin types, or expanded endgame content would likely sell extremely well. The game already received critical acclaim and strong sales on original Switch, and many players would gladly pay for a definitive version. However, Nintendo has given no indication such a release is planned.
The Backward Compatibility Complications
Pikmin 3 Deluxe’s technical problems highlight the challenges of backward compatibility even when hardware is designed to support it. The Switch 2 can play the vast majority of Switch games without issues, but some titles experience unexpected problems due to how they interact with the new system’s architecture.
Nintendo maintains an official Software Compatibility website that categorizes Switch games into four support levels for Switch 2. Most games fall under “Supported – Game behavior is consistent with Nintendo Switch,” meaning they work perfectly. Others are “Supported – Game behavior may vary from Nintendo Switch,” indicating minor issues like Pikmin 3 Deluxe experienced.
A handful of games are marked “Unsupported” due to progression-blocking problems, while certain software like Nintendo Labo is completely “Incompatible” because the Switch 2 physically doesn’t fit into the VR Goggles or other accessories. Pikmin 3 Deluxe was initially in the problematic category before Nintendo’s patches improved its compatibility status.
What This Means For The Series
The PEGI rating suggests Nintendo hasn’t abandoned the idea of optimizing its Pikmin library for Switch 2, even if the company’s approach has been slower than fans hoped. A proper free update that adds performance improvements, resolution enhancements, and potentially HDR support would bring Pikmin 3 Deluxe in line with other first-party titles that received launch window updates.
The real question is whether Pikmin 4, the newest and most popular entry, will eventually receive similar treatment. That game launched in July 2023 and sold exceptionally well, becoming one of the Switch’s best-selling strategy games. A Switch 2 Edition with mouse controls, enhanced graphics, and bonus content could introduce the game to a new audience while rewarding existing fans.
Miyamoto has repeatedly called Pikmin his favorite Nintendo franchise, yet it continues receiving less promotional support and technical attention than Mario, Zelda, or Pokemon. The series has experienced a renaissance in recent years with Pikmin 3 Deluxe selling over 2.5 million copies and Pikmin 4 exceeding 3.5 million. Nintendo clearly sees value in the franchise, but the company’s Switch 2 strategy remains unclear.
FAQs
Has Nintendo officially announced a Pikmin 3 Deluxe Switch 2 version?
No, Nintendo has not made any official announcement about a Pikmin 3 Deluxe Switch 2 version. The only evidence comes from a PEGI rating that appeared on December 28, 2025. Nintendo typically doesn’t comment on ratings board filings before making formal reveals, so official confirmation will likely come later if the update is real.
Will the Pikmin 3 Deluxe Switch 2 update be free?
Based on how the PEGI rating is categorized, this appears to be a free update rather than a paid Switch 2 Edition. It’s listed similarly to other games that received complimentary Switch 2 enhancements like Super Mario Odyssey and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Paid Switch 2 Editions appear as separate entries with distinct ratings.
What problems did Pikmin 3 Deluxe have on Switch 2?
The game experienced severe technical issues including constant screen flickering, visual glitches, input lag in menus, gameplay stuttering, frequent hard crashes, and persistent visual artifacts. Nintendo released patches that addressed these problems, with version 1.1.2 providing comprehensive fixes that reportedly resolved most issues.
Did Pikmin 4 get a Switch 2 update?
No, Pikmin 4 did not receive any Switch 2-specific enhancements despite getting a major free content update in October 2025 that added Photo Mode, new difficulty options, and Decor Pikmin. The game runs on Switch 2 through backward compatibility but doesn’t take advantage of the improved hardware. This has frustrated fans who hoped for proper optimization.
Can I play all Pikmin games on Switch 2?
Yes, all four Pikmin games available on Switch (Pikmin 1, Pikmin 2, Pikmin 3 Deluxe, and Pikmin 4) are playable on Switch 2 through backward compatibility. However, none received Switch 2-specific enhancements at launch, and only Pikmin 3 Deluxe has received patches to fix compatibility issues. They all work but don’t leverage the new console’s capabilities.
What features might a Pikmin 3 Deluxe Switch 2 update include?
While Nintendo hasn’t announced specific features, typical free Switch 2 updates include improved frame rates, higher resolutions (up to 4K docked), HDR support, and performance optimizations. Fans hope for mouse and keyboard support for the strategy gameplay, though that would be unprecedented for a free update rather than a paid Switch 2 Edition.
When might the Pikmin 3 Deluxe Switch 2 update release?
There’s no official release date or window. PEGI ratings typically appear within a few weeks to a couple months before a game or update launches, so an announcement could come in early 2026. Nintendo might reveal it during a Direct presentation or through a surprise shadow drop on social media.
Will there be a Pikmin 4 Switch 2 Edition?
Nothing has been confirmed. Some players speculate that Nintendo might release a paid Pikmin 4 Switch 2 Edition with new content, enhanced graphics, and quality-of-life improvements, but the October 2025 content update didn’t include any Switch 2 features, which makes such a release less certain. The PEGI listing for Pikmin 3 Deluxe as a free update rather than paid edition also suggests Nintendo may not be planning premium releases for the series.
Conclusion
The PEGI rating for Pikmin 3 Deluxe on Switch 2 offers hope that Nintendo is finally giving the Pikmin series the technical attention it deserves on the new console. After a rocky launch plagued by screen flickering, crashes, and visual glitches, the game has already received patches that addressed most problems. This new rating suggests Nintendo may be preparing a more comprehensive free update that brings performance and visual improvements in line with other first-party titles. However, the bigger question remains whether Pikmin 4, the franchise’s newest and most successful entry, will eventually receive proper Switch 2 optimization or even a dedicated Switch 2 Edition with new content. The series has proven its commercial viability and remains a favorite of Shigeru Miyamoto, yet it continues receiving less promotional and technical support than Nintendo’s other major franchises. For now, Pikmin fans can at least look forward to a properly optimized version of Pikmin 3 Deluxe, even if the franchise’s broader Switch 2 future remains uncertain.