It’s the year of Pikmin, at least that’s what Nintendo decided when they stealth-released Pikmin 1 + 2 on Switch, along with a demo for Pikmin 4 just last week. The newest installment comes out July 21, but in the meantime you can enjoy a demo on Nintendo Switch which carries over your progress to the full game. But just how long do you have to play?
When Does the Pikmin 4 Demo End?
Truthfully, you can play Pikmin 4 as long as you want, provided you don’t collect 1500 Sparklium. Once you hit that threshold, and the day ends, so does the demo. If you want to explore the entire area and see what’s in store – simply abstain from collecting shiny treasures, especially those that would put you above the limit needed to complete the demo.
If you want to make the most of your time, try focusing on completing constructions, unlocking and growing new Pikmin, and collecting as many raw resources as possible. This ensures that you can unlock upgrades to your equipment and Oatchi which will carry over when the full game unlocks.
Related: Does Pikmin 2 Have A Time Limit? – Answered
Personally I spent a little time revisiting the cavern which introduces the Ice Pikmin so I could gather even more of them (they respawn after a day is passed) in order to freeze icy surfaces and explore even more of the map.
If you’re interested in playing the demo over again in the future – I’d recommend making a new save file after completing the prologue. That way you’re able to skip all the pesky (and tedious) introductory tutorials and get right into the action.
If you’re not sure how to get access, we have a guide on how to play the Pikmin 4 demo right here.