Set aside Pikmin 4 for a moment because Digital Foundry just published its technical analysis on Pikmin 1+2 for Nintendo Switch.
Well, in case you missed it, Nintendo actually made these classic titles available in June ahead of the release of the fourth game. So how do the HD versions of these games compare to the original GameCube experience?
As marked by dataminer Oatmeal (via Digital Foundry), these titles appear to be using an “analog hybrid simulation system” to Super Mario Sunshinere-released on Switch, as part of Super Mario 3D All-Stars parcel. It gives correct results while opening the game with “some embellishments”.
Digital foundry: “At its core is the same technology. Pikmin 1 and 2 run on an emulator called ‘hagi’ – Nintendo’s proprietary GameCube and Wii emulators that emulate the GameCube’s GPU functions, while the CPU side is compiled to run natively on the Switch.”
In terms of resolution, both Pikmin 1+2 have a native resolution of 1080p IN docking mode And 720p IN handheld mode. Initial releases on the GameCube and Wii versions ran at 480p. The downside to this is that there is no anti-aliasing applied to these new versions and the textures are mostly unaffected. Fortunately, the menus and user interface have been upgraded, and the pre-rendered cutscenes also appear to have been “AI upgraded by Nintendo”.
As for frame rates, both Pikmin 1+2 on Switch run at “locked” 30 fps and barely miss a frame. Digital Foundry acknowledged that it was a “missed opportunity to push to 60fps” and noted how previous execs have achieved this framerate with upgraded textures, shaders, etc.
Pikmin 1+2 on Switch is summed up by DF as “basic ports” that reproduce a true-to-life experience. If you want a second opinion or just want to learn more about Pikmin 1+2 on Switch, be sure to check out the Nintendo Life reviews:
