Does the Pikmin 4 Switch 2 demo save carry over?

Your Switch 2 demo save carries into Pikmin 4 - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy. If you've already played Pikmin 4 before trying this demo, only your new Dandori Academy data carries over from it. This applies to the 2 November 2026 demo and the full game due on 12 November. The screens you see when you first open the full game may change at launch.

Start the story in the demo if you're new

On your Switch 2, open the Nintendo eShop listing for Pikmin 4 with Dandori Academy and choose Download Demo. Start the story to play the Sun-Speckled Terrace opening area. You can play until you've collected 1,500 Sparklium. Keep your demo save on the console and use the same Switch 2 user when you open the full game. Check your story file for the progress you made in the terrace before you start a fresh adventure.

Keep your original story save if you're returning

If you played Pikmin 4 before trying the Dandori Academy demo, keep your existing story save for the full game. Use the demo to try the Academy. Replaying the opening area keeps that progress in the demo. In the full game, open your original story file and check your demo progress in the Academy.

Try Dandori Academy before launch

Open Dandori Academy in the demo for an introductory stage and two challenges, Mushroom Mash and Snack Delivery. You can practise the stages before launch. Your first chance to take a Dandori Exam in the demo is Thursday 12 November, a launch-day exception to the regular Friday-to-Sunday exam window. For more on what the full mode adds, see how Dandori Academy stages and exams work.