GameTimeline

Release & story order

Pikmin timeline

Pikmin from the 2001 GameCube original through Pikmin 4 (2023)—US release dates, Captain Olimar and the Pikmin colony on PNF-404, and FAQ for Hey! Pikmin, Pikmin Bloom, and New Play Control remasters.

Updated July 2026

Start with:

Release order Story order

Release order

When Nintendo EAD shipped each mainline chapter—Pikmin (2001), Pikmin 2 (2004), Pikmin 3 (2013), then Pikmin 4 (2023). Hey! Pikmin, Pikmin Bloom, and New Play Control ports are FAQ-only.

  • Full saga → all four Release rows in order
  • Newcomers → Pikmin 3 Deluxe or Pikmin 4 on Switch—FAQ
  • Pikmin 2 is darker tone—still mainline
  • Hey! Pikmin side-scroller—FAQ only
Story order tips

Loose PNF-404 continuity in release order: Pikmin → Pikmin 2 → Pikmin 3 → Pikmin 4. Olimar and later Alph/Koppai crews—Release and Story match.

  • Core canon: Pikmin → Pikmin 2 → Pikmin 3 → Pikmin 4
  • Pikmin 3 introduces Koppai explorers—Olimar returns mid-game
  • Pikmin 4 works as modern entry—Story order still after 1–3 for lore
  • On Story order, Pikmin 4 may be hidden—reveal when ready

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Pikmin

    Pikmin

    GCStrategyMainline

    Olimar's 30-day survival on PNF-404.

    Overview
    Miyamoto's GameCube launch title—real-time strategy with day/night cycle.
    In-game setting
    Franchise origin—Red, Yellow, and Blue Pikmin debut.
    Should you play it?
    Essential start—New Play Control Wii port FAQ.
    Release date
    US GameCube launch December 3, 2001.
  2. Pikmin 2

    Pikmin 2

    GCStrategyMainline

    Debt repayment—Purple and White Pikmin, caves.

    Overview
    Split Louie/Olimar co-op structure and underground dungeons.
    In-game setting
    Direct sequel—darker PNF-404 tone.
    Should you play it?
    Play after Pikmin 1 on Story order.
    Release date
    US launch August 30, 2004.
  3. Pikmin 3

    Pikmin 3

    Wii UStrategyMainline

    Alph, Brittany, and Charlie—fruit crisis on PNF-404.

    Overview
    Wii U HD strategy—Wing and Rock Pikmin, day structure refined.
    In-game setting
    Olimar side story in Mission Mode—main plot with Koppai.
    Should you play it?
    Pikmin 3 Deluxe on Switch—FAQ.
    Release date
    US Wii U launch August 4, 2013.
  4. Pikmin 4

    Pikmin 4

    SwitchStrategyMainline

    Custom Rescue Officer and Olimar rescue—Ice Pikmin.

    Overview
    Switch mainline—night expeditions, Glow Pikmin, and Dandori Battles.
    In-game setting
    Latest mainline as of June 2026—continues PNF-404 lore.
    Should you play it?
    Play last on Story order.
    Release date
    US launch September 22, 2023.

FAQ

Release vs story order, Pikmin 3 Deluxe, Hey! Pikmin, and spin-offs.

Release order

For Pikmin they match: Pikmin (2001) → Pikmin 2 (2004) → Pikmin 3 (2013) → Pikmin 4 (2023). Light continuity on PNF-404 with Olimar and later crews—not a dense serial RPG plot.

Modern entry: Pikmin 4 (Switch) stands alone with tutorials. Full saga: Pikmin 1 (NSO GameCube or New Play Control Wii) → 2 → Pikmin 3 Deluxe → Pikmin 4. All mainline games on Switch except GC originals need NSO or Wii ports—FAQ.

Story & canon

Pikmin 4 continues PNF-404 exploration after Pikmin 3 in broad continuity—Rescue Officer story with Olimar and Ice/Glow Pikmin. You can start at Pikmin 4 mechanically; Story order places it last after 1–3 for character callbacks.

Remasters & ports

Pikmin 3 Deluxe (2020, Switch) adds all DLC side missions and quality-of-life—same story as Wii U Pikmin 3. Not a separate Release or Story row. Buy Deluxe instead of Wii U original on Switch.

Optional & related

Hey! Pikmin (2017, 3DS) is a side-scrolling spin-off—not Release or Story rows. Pikmin Bloom (2021, mobile) is a walking companion app—FAQ only. Neither affects Pikmin 4 setup.

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.