Pikmin 4 Dandori Academy is a new Nintendo Switch 2 challenge mode built around completing treasure-collection stages as efficiently as possible. It launches with Pikmin 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition on November 12, 2026 and expands over the following year with a total of 72 stages.
The Academy separates practice from scored exams. Players can learn a stage repeatedly, then take an official exam during the weekly exam window. The resulting score determines the medal earned and can be recorded on the online scoreboard.
What is Pikmin 4 Dandori Academy?
The confirmed details around Pikmin 4 Dandori Academy come directly from Nintendo’s Switch 2 product information and Dandori Academy documentation. The sections below separate what is already announced from anything Nintendo has not yet specified.
How the 72 stages are released
Nintendo is not dropping all Pikmin 4 Dandori Academy stages at launch. Six stages are scheduled to arrive each month across 12 monthly releases. Nintendo Japan says the new monthly batch is delivered on the first Monday of each month, while previously released stages remain available after new ones arrive.
The stages use different Pikmin combinations, objectives and environmental tricks. Nintendo has also confirmed three difficulty levels, including easier options intended to make the Academy accessible to players who are still learning efficient Dandori play.
Practice and official exams work differently
Practice in Pikmin 4 Dandori Academy is designed for repetition. You can rehearse stages and work out routes before taking the scored exam. The official exam is normally a one-attempt event for that week and is available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Internet access is required to receive Academy stages and take the official exams. Nintendo Japan specifically notes that practice itself does not require an internet connection once the stage is available.
How medals and Dandori Points work
Your Pikmin 4 Dandori Academy score comes from what you collect, with remaining time added as a bonus. The result awards a medal. Platinum is a major target, and Nintendo has teased at least one medal rank above Platinum for especially strong performances.
Medals also feed into Dandori Points. Building up points unlocks rewards including in-game camera photo frames and stamps. User icons for the Nintendo Switch 2 HOME menu are also part of the reward pool, although Nintendo says claiming some rewards requires Nintendo Switch Online.
Online scoreboards and retakes
Official exam scores can be recorded on the Pikmin 4 Dandori Academy scoreboard. Players can compare results with friends and with participants around the world. Nintendo Switch Online is required to use the scoreboard.
An exam is not necessarily your final chance at a stage for the week. Nintendo has confirmed retake tickets that allow another official attempt. One ticket is granted each month, and additional tickets can be earned through practice, with a monthly limit on the practice-earned tickets.
Why Dandori Academy is more than another battle mode
Pikmin 4 already used Dandori as a central idea, but Pikmin 4 Dandori Academy formalises it into a long-running score challenge. The monthly stage schedule, medals, Dandori Points and weekly exam structure give it a progression loop separate from simply replaying the story.
It is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. Existing Pikmin 4 owners can access it by purchasing the upgrade pack, while new players receive it as part of the complete Switch 2 Edition.
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For the current first-party details behind Pikmin 4 Dandori Academy, see Nintendo’s official Pikmin 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition page.
