What are the Differences Between Pikmin 1 and Pikmin 2?

To commemorate the coming arrival of Pikmin 4, the first two games are being released on Nintendo Switch, making it a good opportunity to play one of these titles while wait for Pikmin 4 comes out. Seeing as both games feature Olimar, it can be a little difficult to tell the first two Pikmin games apart, but a closer look reveals differences in setting, characters, and gameplay.

What is Different Between Pikmin 1 and Pikmin 2?

Perhaps the biggest difference between the first two Pikmin games is the introduction of Louis— Olimar's assistant in Pikmin 2. Louis can take control of some of the Pikmin, which allows the player to designate tasks and multitask better.

There are also only three types of Pikmin in the series' first game: blue, yellow, and red. Each individual color of Pikmin has their own advantages. For example, the yellow Pikmin can be thrown higher than the other two.

Related: How to get different colored Pikmin in Pikmin Bloom

Meanwhile, Pikmin 2 featured two other types of Pikmin: purple and white. Purple Pikmin are heavier than the other Pikmin, while the white Pikmin are poisonous. These two Pikmin alone change how the game is played, especially with regards to how different monsters are taken down.

For those looking for a challenge, the first Pikmin is often considered harder due to a lower pool of Pikmin and the time limit (Olimar only has 30 days to rebuild his ship). Pikmin 2 ditches the time limit, so players can enjoy the game at their own pace.

While the first Pikmin rewards time management more, Pikmin 2 has more of a dungeon crawler feel due to all the caves. Personally, I prefer watching Pikmin 2 gameplay to see the varied enemies Olimar and Louis need to defeat.

Want more Pikmin guides? Pro Game Guides has you covered with How to download & play the Pikmin 4 demo.