Nintendo has posted a new animated short film on its Nintendo Today app and YouTube channel, so far completely devoid of context.
Called Close to You, the Pixar-esque film shows a baby following its toys around the room, seemingly moved by invisible creatures, all accompanied by a playful piano soundtrack.
The film has been posted purely with the name and no description, so it’s not initially clear what project (if any) this might relate to, be that a game or a film.
While the company doesn’t state which production studio created the film, some have speculated this is the work of Nintendo Pictures – its Tokyo-based animation studio that launched back in 2022, formerly known as Dynamo Pictures.
What’s more, the music references the main Pikmin theme tune at the start, while the focus on items being carried certainly alludes to the little plant creatures. And if you check under the bed at 1’41, a little red creature can be seen scurrying around.
Could this be hinting at a Switch 2 version of Pikmin 4? That game does include levels themed around a child’s bedroom. But why go to the trouble of a new animated short?
At the very least, it’s a beautifully animated film and extremely cute.
What do you think Nintendo is hinting at?