ThePikminseries is known for its lush environments, unique gameplay, and the titular creatures that help you move treasure from point A to Point B.Pikmin 4brings all the familiar elements back to the table alongside some new ideas to help it stand out from its predecessors.
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Throughout Pikmin 4’s campaign, you’ll stumble upon characters that want to challenge you to a Dandori Battle. This mode pits you against an opponent to see who can collect the most points before time runs out. If you’re a fan, you may playthis mode locally against a friend, but there are Battles you must complete in Story Mode to obtain everything, and some are much more fun than others.
6Trial Run
As its name implies, Trial Run is the first Dandori Battle you’ll find and complete. With only a four-minute timer and a small handful of enemies to disrupt your progress, it’s ultimately not too difficult and is designed to teach you the rules of the mode so you’re prepared for the next one.
You’ll only have Red Pikmin available, so you shouldn’t have any issues dealing with the Fiery Blowhogs or Dwarf Bulborbs that cross your path. If you’veupgraded Oatchi’s Buff Abilityto carry anything with a weight of ten, you should send him out to carry the heavier objects while the Pikmin work on small treasures and pellets.
5Hot Sandy Duel
Hot Sandy Duel is the second-last Dandori Battle in Pikmin 4, which makes it one of the most challenging by a landslide. While all of the Battles before this one introduce new mechanics to make the mode more interesting, Hot Sandy Duel is full of frustrating obstacles and enemies that can make or break your run.
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By the time you reach this Dandori Battle, you’ll have already encountered Fire Starters in the main adventure, so you should be familiar with how to use them. That being said, the sheer abundance of burnable obstacles still makes clearing this battle quite difficult, and the five-minute timer flies by faster than you know it when you’re busy juggling Fire Starters with the rest of your Pikmin.
4Battle In A Box
The Battle in a Box Dandori Battle is found shortly after completing Trial Run, and it’s significantly harder than the opening tutorial. The map is familiar and open, so it shouldn’tbe hard to collect the treasures you need, but you’ll learn to keep an eye on your opponent in this one to make sure they don’t find a way to defeat you by a point or two.
Battle in a Box is the first Dandori Battle to introduce Bonus Finds - treasures or enemies that provide double to quintuple points for a limited time. That means that even if you have a massive lead going into the final minute, your opponent can feasibly catch up if they get the right items. If you’re already winning, it’s best to focus on defense to ensure victory.
3Final Battle
Unsurprisingly, Final Battle is the last Dandori Battle in Pikmin 4, and it will put all of your Dandori skills to the test. The stage is massive and full of hazards and dangerous enemies, but with an upgraded Oatchi and hours of experience under your helmet, it shouldn’t be too overwhelming. You might not clear it on the first try, but the challenge is fun enough that playing through another round shouldn’t be too disappointing.
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Now that you’ve learned about Bonus Finds and the other mechanics that can make or break a Dandori Battle, it’s up to you to use them all effectively to earn the highest score possible. Separating Oatchi from the team with a squad of Pikmin makes multi-tasking much easier. Just make sure your opponent doesn’t try anything sneaky while you’re not looking!
2Leafy Showdown
By the time you reach Leafy Showdown in Hero’s Hideaway, you should be comfortable enough with Dandori Battles to have a good idea of how to start the round. A giant puddle in the center of the stage is your biggest obstacle here, but the final mechanic is also introduced here and can flip the game on its head if you’re not careful.
Leafy Showdown is the first time you’ll encounter the Sneak Bomb - an item you can carry to your enemy’s base to steal points from their ship. This is incredibly handy, but if your opponent gets to it before you do, it can absolutely destroy your chances of victory. You can, of course, send your Pikmin to deliver a Sneak Bomb, but an upgraded Oatchi is always a safer bet.
1Dandori Castle
The Dandori Battle at Dandori Castle takes place between Battle in a Box and Leafy Showdown, but it stands out from the rest for a multitude of reasons. Not only does the stage make it feel like you’re on an actual battlefield, but two important mechanics - Mystery Capsules and Golden Sniffers - are also introduced here.
Golden Sniffers are large, golden items worth more points than most, but Mystery Capsules help make Dandori Battles exciting. LikeMario Kart’s Item Boxes, each capsule will give you an item that either benefits you or hinders your opponent. From lightning strikes to extra Pikmin, these capsules have many possibilities. And while they won’t affect the match as much as Sneak Bombs, they’re such an incredibly fun way to keep Dandori Battles feeling fresh.
