Nintendo has recently released a new short film called “Close to You,” which could be a teaser for Pikmin 5. While not as popular as Super Mario Bros. Or The Legend of Zelda, Pikmin is still a successful franchise for Nintendo, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Pikmin 5 released in the coming years.
The latest mainline entry in the popular franchise is Pikmin 4, which was released in 2023, roughly a decade after Pikmin 3. Critics had very positive impressions of Pikmin 4, praising how the game refined the classic formula while introducing new elements, and the title was generally considered a success.
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Nintendo's 'Close to You' Short Film Could Be a Pikmin 5 Teaser
Nintendo has just released a mysterious dialogue-free short film called “Close to You,” which caught the eye of Pikmin fans. “Close to You” is a somewhat weird film, as it depicts a toddler whose pacifier is picked up by an invisible force while their mother is not around, but it does not bear any surface-level resemblance to any of Nintendo’s franchises. Pikmin fans may perceive that, while no Pikmin are actually seen in the film, several musical cues from the series are played as the pacifier is carried away. The connection makes even more sense considering that Pikmin games generally have settings like home gardens, so the short film could be a teaser for Pikmin 5 or another game in the series. Pikmin 4 was a big hit, selling over three million units, and Nintendo will likely want to continue the franchise due to its success.
Another theory is that the film could be related to the upcoming The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which is set to debut on April 3, 2026. In this case, the toddler would be space princess Rosalina, whose parents are unknown. This could potentially be a scene from the film, although it does not look exactly like the same art style.
Obviously, it’s still too early to know for sure what franchise the short film is referencing, so hopefully Nintendo will explain the teaser or share more information with players soon. Recent rumors have indicated that Pikmin 4 could receive a Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade soon, so it would not be entirely surprising to see the announcement of a new entry in the franchise together with that. While some elements strongly point to a Pikmin-related announcement, it’s always better to take these theories with a grain of salt before getting too excited.
Pikmin 4
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 88 /100 Critics Rec: 96%
- Released
- July 21, 2023
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
WHERE TO PLAY
Guide pint-sized creatures in an endearing expedition! Meet Pikmin: small, plantlike creatures with distinct abilities that you can grow, pluck, guide, and overpower enemies with! Use your Pikmin’s miniature might (and a bit of strategy) to explore this mysterious planet in search of your crew—and treasure.
Lead your loyal and curious squad To succeed, you’ll have to balance caring for the Pikmin with leading them into dangerous situations. Do your best out there!
Pikmin grow from pellets and wildlife that you can bring to your ship. Pluck them from the ground to have them join you. Go team!
Lead your squad through vast explorable areas to find treasures, discover new paths, and battle enemies of all sizes. You can also direct the Pikmin to collect and carry resources that are helpful for your mission. Up to three Pikmin types can be with you in the field at a time—the rest will hang back until you need them.
When their task is done, the Pikmin will wait in place for you. Get close and blow your whistle to summon them to your side! This handy action can also help you protect the Pikmin from danger, do a headcount, or simply bring them with you to your next task.
