Pikmin 4 - How Long is a Day In-Game?

How Long is a Day in Pikmin 4?

In Pikmin 4, time advances differently when you are exploring above ground (surface) or underground (caves).

One day above ground (surface) is fifteen (15) minutes in real-world time.

One day in the world of Pikmin 4 is equivalent to 15 minutes in the real world. The current time of the day is displayed by the gauge on the upper left corner of the screen.

While in underground (caves), time moves 1/6th as fast of the speed above ground.

Time advances much slower when you are exploring the underground areas of the game. Inside caves, the day progresses at 1/6th the speed of being on the surface. For context, spending 24 minutes inside any cave will only amount to 4 minutes passed above ground.

When Does the Day Cycle Take Effect?

Applied upon traveling to the Sun-Speckled Terrace for the first time.

The day cycle is only applied once you begin your first exploration into the Sun-Speckled Terrace, the game’s first region. This is after you have cleared the Prologue (tutorial) mission and have met up with Oatchi, Collin, and Captain Shepherd. Talk to Collin at camp to begin exploring the first area.

How to Manually End a Day

Open the menu and select “End Day.”

You can immediately retire from a day by opening the menu using the (-) button and choosing “End Day.”  Doing so immediately lets you progress to the next day regardless of how far along you are in your current one.

Useful Mechanics to Know Regarding the Day Cycle

You can manually stop time by opening the game menu.

A useful technique to stop time from advancing is to open the game menu using the (+) or (-) buttons. Doing so essentially pauses the game world, giving you time to plan out or think about your next move. This is especially useful for certain activities such as solving puzzles or deciding where you want to go next.

Time stops when you are at the Rescue Command Post.

Entering the Rescue Command Post also prevents time from progressing. Feel free to take a breather or use the various services offered by the Rescue Corps for as long as you like.

Stray Pikmin will die when the sun sets.

Note that Pikmin who stray far from your group will die during sunset. Because of this, it is recommended to always keep an eye of your party using the radar when the daylight is about to end.

The day will not end when you are underground.

As long as you are underground, the day will not end, which essentially is another way to stop time in the game. Returning above ground, however, will immediately trigger the sunset if you spent the entire day (or remaining minutes of it) in a cave. To make use of this mechanic, you could explore caves just before the sun sets to get the most out of a day in the game.

Other Pikmin 4 Guides

Pikmin 4 Walkthrough

Pikmin 4 Basic Information

Pikmin 4 Useful Guides

Pikmin 4 Treasure Series Collectibles

Pikmin 4 Forum