According to KitGuru.net, a new listing from the Pan European Game Information (PEGI) ratings board has revealed a “Nintendo Switch 2 Edition” for Pikmin 3 Deluxe. This follows a pattern of similar upgrades for titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Pikmin 3 Deluxe itself launched on the Nintendo Switch in 2020, but the original, non-deluxe version debuted over a decade ago in 2013 for the Wii U. While not officially announced, these Switch 2 Editions typically cost around $20 and offer resolution and framerate boosts. This would be the second such upgrade for a game that started on the Wii U, following Breath of the Wild.
Nintendo’s port strategy
Here’s the thing: Nintendo’s strategy here is pretty transparent, but is it working? They’re building a launch window and early-year library for the Switch 2 not just with brand-new games, but with polished versions of classics. For someone who never owned a Wii U or even a Switch until late in its cycle, this is a decent value proposition. You get a critically acclaimed game, looking and running its absolute best. But for the core audience who’s been there from the start? It feels a bit like paying a premium for what should be a simple backwards compatibility patch.
The Pikmin factor
Now, Pikmin is an interesting choice. It’s a beloved franchise, but not a system-seller on the level of Mario or Zelda. A “Definitive Edition” of Pikmin 3 Deluxe makes me wonder if this is less about milking sales and more about gently onboarding new players before a potential Pikmin 5. The series has grown a lot since the Wii U days. Basically, this could be a strategic move to bolster the fanbase with a pristine version of what many consider the peak of the series, all while padding the Switch 2’s catalog. It’s smarter than just re-releasing New Super Mario Bros. U again, I’ll give them that.
The bigger picture
So what does this pattern tell us about the Switch 2’s early life? It signals that Nintendo is playing it very, very safe. The message seems to be: “Your favorite Switch games will be here and better, and here are some Wii U gems you missed.” That’s a low-risk way to ensure a solid software lineup while the big, new first-party titans cook in the oven. But there‘s a real danger of this feeling underwhelming. If every first-party release for a year is a $70 new game followed by a trickle of $20 upgrades for old ones, will that sustain hype? I think Nintendo is betting that it will, as long as the new hardware itself offers a compelling enough leap. We’ll have to wait and see if players agree to open their wallets—again.
