Editing Pikmin 3

{{page title|''Pikmin 3''}}
{{game icons|p3=y}}
{{Infobox game
|name        = Pikmin 3
|image       = Pikmin 3 US Box Art.png
|size        = 250px
|caption     = North American boxart.
|console     = Wii U
|developer   = {{w|Nintendo EAD}}
|publisher   = [[Nintendo]]
|jname       = {{j|ピクミン 3|Pikumin 3}}
|genre       = Real-time strategy
|players     = Single-player (Story Mode)<br>1 or 2 players (Mission Mode)<br>2 players (Bingo Battle)
|jp          = {{date|13|July|2013}}
|na          = {{date|4|August|2013}}
|eu          = {{date|26|July|2013}}
|au          = {{date|27|July|2013}}
|predecessor = [[Pikmin 2]]
|successor   = [[Pikmin 4]]
|rerelease   = [[Pikmin 3 Deluxe]]
|esrb        = E 10+
|pegi        = 3
}}

'''''Pikmin 3''''' is the third mainline installment in the {{ps}}, released in 2013 for the [[Wii U]]. The game takes place some time after the events of {{p2}}, and sees [[Alph]], [[Brittany]], and [[Charlie]] from the planet of [[Koppai]] landing on [[PNF-404]] to collect [[fruit]] to evade a planet-wide famine. Elements new to the series include two new [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]] types, the ability to throw [[leader]]s and automate their movement, and an in-game information terminal, the [[KopPad]]. The game was also ported to the [[Nintendo Switch]] with added content, under the title {{p3d}}. The next game released in the series is the spin-off game {{hp}}, which takes place after ''Pikmin 3''. {{p4}} was released ten years after the release of ''Pikmin 3''.

==Plot==
{{spoiler}}
The story takes place in the galactic 21st century. The planet of [[Koppai]] is facing an inevitable doomsday due to a booming population growth, and a "basic lack of planning" that resulted in the depletion of most resources for sustenance. They send unmanned scout vessels called [[SPERO]]s out into space to search for a planet containing edible matter. As the [[SPERO]]s returned with no data and their hopes were dying out, the final one arrives with coordinates to [[PNF-404]], which the Koppaites believe to be an uncharted planet. Three explorers are sent to PNF-404 to retrieve seeds to bring back and cultivate on Koppai. The crew is composed of [[Alph]], a young engineer, [[Brittany]], a botanist, and [[Charlie]], the captain of their ship, the [[S.S. Drake]]. As they approach the atmosphere of PNF-404, the Drake malfunctions and ejects the trio before plummeting to the surface of the planet.

Charlie regains consciousness in the [[Distant Tundra]], where he finds a group of wild [[Yellow Pikmin]] which surround him and he quickly befriends them. After learning how to control these Pikmin to his every command, Charlie takes advantage of this situation and destroys several [[Spotcap]]s and [[Kingcap]]s using the Pikmin. Charlie and the Pikmin then enter a cave where they encounter [[Phosbat]]s. Suddenly, a [[Vehemoth Phosbat|creature that can turn invisible]] lunges at Charlie and consumes him while the Pikmin flee.

Meanwhile, Alph, following his descent from the impact of the Drake's crash, wakes up in the [[Tropical Wilds]], and discovers a [[Red Onion]] and its Pikmin, which he quickly uses to help him find his missing [[KopPad]] and the S.S. Drake, which landed nearby. It is in good shape, aside from missing a component that renders it incapable of activating its warp drive &ndash; the [[cosmic drive key]] &ndash; which is needed to return to Koppai.

Brittany lands in the [[Garden of Hope]] and finds herself trapped, until Alph rescues her by using the newly-discovered [[Rock Pikmin]]. As the two continue their mission of finding fruit, they defeat the [[Armored Mawdad]] and retrieve the [[Data Glutton]] from it, expanding the Drake’s radar capabilities to a new area. Later they arrive at the Distant Tundra where Brittany is ejected from the Drake again due to them hitting a tree in the storm. She lands in a cave and finds [[Yellow Pikmin]]. With the Pikmin, she escapes the cave and reunites with Alph. Shortly after this, the duo fight the [[Vehemoth Phosbat]] and after defeating it, they free Captain Charlie. Charlie reveals that he found a [[data file]] stating that [[Captain Olimar]] has the cosmic drive key.

Later on, after visiting the [[Tropical Wilds]] and defeating the [[Sandbelching Meerslug]] to get the [[Folded Data Glutton]], the explorers begin to receive signals from an unknown source. This eventually leads them to finding that [[Louie]] has crashed onto the planet, whom they rescue from the [[Scornet Maestro]]. The day after rescuing him, he steals their juice supply and tries to escape to the [[Hocotate ship]], only to be eaten by the [[Quaggled Mireclops]] and rescued again by the trio. After this second encounter, he is tied up to prevent him from causing the leaders trouble again, and he gives them the coordinates to the [[Formidable Oak]], where his colleague is being held captive.

Upon arriving at the final area, the explorers learn that Louie's partner, Captain Olimar, was sent to the planet by [[Hocotate Freight]] to try and find more [[treasure]] in order to pay back another debt. After collecting enough treasure to repay his employer's debt, he was abducted by an overprotective creature called the [[Plasm Wraith]], which tries to care for him and refuses to let him go. Eventually, the trio rescue Olimar from the Wraith and escape with him on the S.S. Drake, much to the creature's dismay.

===Endings===
{{see also|Completion}}

There are four possible endings for the game, and which one is seen depends on the amount of [[fruit]] obtained. It is not known which of these endings is [[canon]]. For a transcript of the narrations, see [[Cutscene#Endings|here]].

* In the worst of the endings, obtained by getting less than thirty-three fruits, the narrator says that the explorers secured a "modest supply" of fruit, and implies that the amount of seeds obtained here may not be enough to solve the Koppai famine.
* In the next ending, obtained by getting between thirty-three and fifty-three fruits, the narrator says that the explorers secured a "reasonable supply" of fruit, and indicates that the seeds may be enough, but only if the population is careful; if they squander their resources again, the same problem may return.
* In the next ending, obtained by getting between fifty-four and sixty-five fruits, the narrator says that the explorers secured a "healthy supply" of fruit, and implies that the seeds obtained here can be used to stop the crisis if used properly; he also discusses how the explorers have learned the wisdom of planning.
* The best possible ending is seen from obtaining all sixty-six fruits. In this ending, the narrator says that the explorers secured a "bountiful supply" of fruit, and implies that Koppai's food crisis will be resolved and that the explorers have learned valuable lessons about planning and teamwork. The narration ends by suggesting that the cause of the accident that sent the [[S.S. Drake]] hurtling towards the planet's surface may not have been an accident at all.

At the end of the [[credits]], the Pikmin are seen singing and coexisting with both themselves and the local creatures. However, this is interrupted when the Pikmin spot a flaming object crashing onto the surface of the planet, and they run towards it. The Voyage Log entry for the last day states that [[Louie]] did not board the ship with Olimar and the Koppaites. Although nothing else is elaborated in the original release of ''Pikmin 3'', [[Olimar's Comeback]] in {{p3d}} goes into more detail about this ending.

==Gameplay==
''Pikmin 3'' is a 3D strategy game, like the other main games in the {{ps}}. The main [[story mode]] is a single-player experience in which the player controls an army of [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]] by moving a [[leader]] around. The Pikmin can be [[throw]]n, [[whistle]]d, [[dismiss]]ed, and ordered to [[charge]], among other control options. Using these methods, Pikmin can carry objects such as [[fruit]] back to the base, and they can attack [[enemies]] and [[obstacle]]s to clear paths for carrying. 

The gameplay takes place across several in-game [[day]]s, each of which is 13 minutes long. At the start of the day, the player will select an [[area]] to land in. That area can be explored for the rest of the day, and the player is tasked with doing as much as they can from the many tasks available.

Over the course of the game, the player gains access to new types of Pikmin, additional leaders, and additional areas. The order these are unlocked in is linear, but the game has an element of non-linearity in that past areas can be revisited to collect more fruit with the new Pikmin types the player gains.

While ''Pikmin 3'' contains many recurring gameplay elements from earlier games in the series, it also changes some mechanics and introduces new ones that make it stand out from its predecessors:
*The game has a day limit, similar to the [[Pikmin (game)|first game]]. However, this time limit can be extended based on how many bottles of juice the player has left, which can be restored by collecting [[fruit]]. The player can extend their playtime up to 99 days by collecting all of the game's fruit.
*The battle mechanics of the series have been greatly enhanced; rather than just [[throw]]ing Pikmin onto the body of a larger enemy, the Pikmin can now be aimed to latch onto specific parts of enemies, which can cause different reactions and different amounts of damage. For example, throwing a Pikmin directly at a [[Bulborb]]'s eye will cause it to recoil and spit out any snatched Pikmin.
*The game's graphics are much more detailed and much more natural-looking, thanks to the enhanced resolution and graphical capabilities the Wii U provides.
*The way Pikmin follow the leader has changed. Rather than marching in an orderly group, they will each move individually and follow the player in a much more realistic swarm. They will also trace the leader's path instead of following them in a straight line and risking getting stuck behind corners. Despite this, they will still be thrown accordingly, depending on which Pikmin is in [[HUD#Standby Pikmin|standby]].
*The [[swarm]] feature present in the original two games has been removed in favor of the [[lock-on]] and [[charge]] mechanics, where Pikmin all charge towards a target at once.
*The [[health]] system has partially changed. All bosses retain their damage overnight, and their bodies will remain in their arenas for a [[day]] after they are defeated. Every boss in the game can be dragged back to base for a 50-seed boost of the selected Pikmin type.
*The way the player manages [[Onion]]s has changed. Unlike in the first two games, all Onions discovered in the game merge with the Red Onion at the end of the day to become a single, "Master Onion". Onions also release rings of light in the afternoon to signify safe zones when night comes.
*[[Poison]] has been removed as a [[hazard]], as [[Purple Pikmin]] and [[White Pikmin]] are only present in [[Mission Mode]]. Also, [[electricity]] has been nerfed and no longer kills Pikmin, instead leaving them on the ground completely immobilized, until they are called back.
*Pikmin do not go down in [[maturity]] level, only up.

===Alternative game modes===
====Mission Mode====
{{Main|Mission Mode}}
Mission Mode features timed challenges where the aim is to get the highest score. It can be played with 1 or 2 players. There are three modes to play: Collect Treasure!, Battle Enemies!, and Defeat Bosses! Each challenge is 5 to 15 minutes long and provides the player with a set number of starting Pikmin. The mode is similar to [[Challenge Mode]] from the first 2 games.

====Bingo Battle====
{{Main|Bingo Battle}}
Bingo Battle is a 2-player competitive mode where the goal is to fill up a bingo card filled with enemies, fruit, and marbles. The players must strategically find ways to collect the items needed to make a bingo before their opponent can do so. The mode is similar to [[2-Player Battle]] from {{p2}}.

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==Content==
===Pikmin===
The game has 5 types of [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]]: [[Red Pikmin]], [[Rock Pikmin]], [[Yellow Pikmin]], [[Winged Pikmin]], and [[Blue Pikmin]], unlocked in that order. Red, Yellow, and Blue Pikmin return from the first 2 games, but Rock and Winged Pikmin are new, as shown by their lavender-colored flowers, and are unique in the sense that they are named after their abilities and appearance, rather than their color. [[Purple Pikmin|Purple]] and [[White Pikmin]] are only available in [[Mission Mode]] and [[Bingo Battle]] mode; they are not found in Story Mode.

====Returning types====
The following Pikmin types introduced in previous ''Pikmin'' games are in ''Pikmin 3'':

*[[Red Pikmin]]
*[[Yellow Pikmin]]
*[[Blue Pikmin]]
*[[Purple Pikmin]]
*[[White Pikmin]]

====Rock Pikmin====
[[File:RockPikminHD.png|thumb|150px|A Rock Pikmin.]]
{{main|Rock Pikmin}}
Rock Pikmin take the form of small polished pebbles with a stem. They are immune to attacks involving [[crush]]ing or [[stab]]bing. When thrown, they deal a large amount of damage; however, they are unable to latch onto enemies. They are used to destroy [[crystal]]line obstacles, and are the second type found, in the [[Garden of Hope]].

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====Winged Pikmin====
[[File:WingedPikminHD.png|thumb|left|150px|A Winged Pikmin.]]
{{main|Winged Pikmin}}
Winged Pikmin are small, pink Pikmin resembling bees, and are capable of flight. This makes them partially immune to ground [[hazard]]s, such as bodies of [[water]] (as they will simply fly over them) and crushing. They are weak in battle, and are the fourth type to be found, in the [[Twilight River]]. They can fly over low walls and water, allowing them to take shortcuts when carrying items.
 
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===Areas===
The game is split into five [[area]]s, and [[cave]]s do not return from {{p2}}. Some sections of some areas do take place inside caves, but they're still part of the normal area.
*'''[[Tropical Wilds]]''': A tropical coastal area with thick vegetation. [[Alph]] lands here and finds [[Red Pikmin]] at the start of the game.
*'''[[Garden of Hope]]''': A lush garden with several man-made elements. [[Rock Pikmin]] and [[Blue Pikmin]] are found here, and [[Brittany]] first lands here.
*'''[[Distant Tundra]]''': A snowy tundra with significant topographic variation. [[Yellow Pikmin]] are found here, and [[Charlie]] first lands here.
*'''[[Twilight River]]''': A flowing river in an autumn forest. [[Winged Pikmin]] are found here.
*'''[[Formidable Oak]]''': A termite mound in a steppe. This area has no fruit and is mostly a puzzle surrounding the game's final boss.

===Fruits===
{{see|Fruit}}
Fruits are the main collectible item in ''Pikmin 3'', as the leaders from [[Koppai]] are tasked with recovering as many as possible to avert a food crisis. Besides providing seeds that can be used on Koppai, the fruits are also turned into juice to provide nourishment for the leaders on their adventure. If the leaders run out, they will starve, and their mission will fail.

===Enemies===
{{see|Enemy#In Pikmin 3|t1=Enemies in ''Pikmin 3''}}
Enemies in ''Pikmin 3'' are diverse and alien-like creatures, and their designs are more natural compared to the previous games, as well as more complex, now reacting to Pikmin and attacks in ways not seen before.

===Plants and fungi===
{{see|Vegetation#Pikmin 3|t1=Vegetation in ''Pikmin 3''}}
Plants and fungi in ''Pikmin 3'' resemble the ones on Earth, but unlike in the previous game, a few of them have an important purpose, allowing leaders and Pikmin to [[hide]] under them, while others serve as unique objects in the environment that promote exploration or the usage of new Pikmin types.

===Characters===
''Pikmin 3'' features several characters.

{{clear}}

==== Alph ====
[[File:P3 Alph Artwork.png|80px|right|thumb|Alph.]]
{{main|Alph}}
Alph is one of the three playable leaders. He serves as the engineer of the ship, the S.S. Drake, which his grandfather, also named Drake, designed. He is very bright and positive in character, and greatly respects Captain Charlie.

{{clear}}

==== Brittany ====
[[File:Brittany.png|80px|right|thumb|Brittany.]]
{{main|Brittany}}
Brittany is one of the three playable leaders. She is a botanist, who is responsible of keeping track of the fruit found on the planet and juices produced by the crew.

{{clear}}

==== Captain Charlie ====
[[File:Captain Charlie.png|80px|right|thumb|Captain Charlie.]]
{{main|Captain Charlie}}
Captain Charlie is one of the three playable leaders. Charlie is revered as a hero on Koppai, being described by Alph as "one of Koppai's greatest legends". He also takes a rubber ducky with him on every mission for good luck.

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==== Captain Olimar ====
[[File:OlimarP3.png|80px|right|thumb|Captain Olimar.]]
{{main|Captain Olimar}}
Captain Olimar returns in ''Pikmin 3''. He is present only as a plot element, but is a playable character in some [[Mission Mode]] stages, as well as being player 2's leader in [[Bingo Battle]] mode. In ''Pikmin 3'', Olimar's unseen voyage is explained through [[data file]]s the player can find throughout the game, as well as the Secret Files. {{p3d}} makes him fully playable as the Olimar's Assignment Side Story.

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==== Louie ====
[[File:P3 Louie Memo Recording.png|80px|right|thumb|Louie.]]
{{main|Louie}}
Louie returns in ''Pikmin 3''. He is only playable in [[Mission Mode]] and [[Bingo Battle]].

{{clear}}

==== Other characters ====
{{see also|Minor characters}}

==Controls==
[[File:Pikmin3 NewTouchscreenGUI.jpg|thumb|The stylus mode control scheme.]]
{{main|Controls}}
''Pikmin 3'' features a total of four different [[Controls|control]] schemes, and two display modes.

The four ways to control are as follows:
*'''Wii U GamePad classic''': With this control scheme, players use the entire GamePad's buttons to control the game.
*'''Wii U GamePad Stylus''': In Stylus mode, players use the left side of the GamePad's buttons to control some actions, while the right hand is used to tap on the screen to control Pikmin. This mode was added via a [[Update|patch]] rolled out on {{date|29|May|2014}}, and is similar to ''[[Pikmin Adventure]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s control scheme.
*'''Wii Remote + Nunchuk''': This control scheme is nearly identical to the control scheme in the ''[[New Play Control!]]'' version of ''Pikmin'' and ''Pikmin 2''.
*'''Wii U Pro Controller''': The Pro Controller mimics the [[GameCube]] controls as a control method.

===Off-TV Play===
{{game help|p3|List scenarios in which the player is not allowed to change modes. Example: Off-TV Play is on, and the game is showing the radar.}}
The game allows for off-TV play, as most Wii U games do. It can be toggled at almost all times during the game by pressing {{button|wiiu|-}}. With it off, players see the action on their television, and use the GamePad as the [[KopPad]], as well as the main controller, if they so choose. With this configuration, the KopPad will display the radar app, which updates in real time. With Off-TV Play on, the action is presented on the GamePad's screen while the TV screen merely points the player to the GamePad with the occasional Pikmin running across the bottom of the screen. To access the KopPad, players need to press a specific button.

With Off-TV Play on, the Wii Remote must be aimed at the GamePad instead of the TV's sensor bar. While panning the [[radar]] on the KopPad, the player can see an overhead view of the area on the TV screen, which is only possible with Off-TV Play disabled.

==Online features==
===Miiverse support===
[[File:MiiverseIcon2.png|thumb|The Miiverse icon for ''Pikmin 3''.]]
{{main|Miiverse}}
Like all Wii U software, ''Pikmin 3'' had a community for Nintendo Network users to make posts about the game. All users were able to make posts, even those who didn't own the game.

Besides that, using the [[KopPad]], it is possible to take highly-detailed pictures from the perspective of a [[leader]], using the Wii U GamePad. Players could then share their pictures over Nintendo's Miiverse service, on the ''Pikmin 3'' community. As of {{date|7|November|2017}}, Miiverse support for ''Pikmin 3'' has been discontinued.

{{clear}}

===Global rankings===
[[File:Pikmin 3 global rankings.jpg|thumb|left|Story mode day total global rankings, with a personal best of 32.]]
''Pikmin 3'' has an online global ranking system, made available after [[update]] 1.1.0. Every time the player completes story mode or a [[Mission Mode|mission]], their day/fruit total or score will be sent to Nintendo's servers. With this data, information can be generated about how many players reached different goals, as well as the world records. This data can be seen in-game through the global ranking screens, accessible through the [[Menu#Day selection|day selection menu]], for story mode statistics, and through a mission's briefing menu, for that mission's statistics. They are also available on the final report when the player finishes story mode, or the mission results when the player completes a mission.

This screen shows a {{w|bar chart}} that represents the players that achieved a given score. The higher a bar is, the more players have reached it. The altitude isn't labeled, so this chart can't be used to know exactly how many players got a score, but it can be used to show the most popular results. The columns that represent the score the player just got (if this screen is accessed via story mode or mission completion) and the best score registered in the [[saved game]] become highlighted, with a marker on top. If either of these two is beyond the range of the chart, the marker will point to the right side of the screen, and if both are very close to one another, it will just swap between the two over time. In Mission Mode rankings, because the world record scores are so rarely obtained, and would be nearly impossible to understand in the chart, a frame announcing the world record can be seen on the top-right corner. The bottom-right corner of this screen toggles between the two different metrics &ndash; fruits and days for story mode, solo and co-op for Mission Mode.

On the story mode global rankings, there's a fruit chart and a day chart. The fruit chart shows how many players have recovered X pieces of fruit prior to completing the game. This chart starts at 0, with some players getting it to go up to 65, while others see it top at 66. The reason for this behavior is unknown. The days chart shows how many players took X days to complete the game with all fruits collected. It goes from 99 to [[10 day run|10]]. The Mission Mode charts show the final scores players got, with one chart for solo player completions, and another for co-op. The scores shown here are rounded for simplification's sake.

If the player tries to view global rankings, but the global ranking data hasn't been updated in a while, the game will ask the player {{transcript|Use SpotPass to receive <span style{{=}}"color: orange;">global ranking data</span> from Nintendo for this software?}}, with the options "Cancel" and "OK". Accepting will fetch the latest ranking data from Nintendo's servers. The message {{transcript|This Wii U has been configured to allow the use of SpotPass for this software.}} confirms that the data was obtained successfully. It will be impossible to see the rankings until the question is accepted. This prompt can also come up at times when the player turns the game on.

Since at least July 2018, some cheated Mission Mode scores have been added to the list. For instance, the world record for Tropical Forest (Collect Treasure!) is 14710, meaning that the player completed the mission in 1 second, which is not normally possible. Because of this, knowing the legitimate world records is nearly impossible. So far, these fraudulent scores are still on the leaderboards, and were never cleaned up by Nintendo.

With the discontinuation of Spotpass, it has become officially impossible to upload new high scores to the leaderboards in early April 2024.<ref>https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/63227/~/announcement-of-discontinuation-of-online-services-for-nintendo-3ds-and-wii-u</ref>
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==Lists==
===Quotes===
{{see|Pikmin 3 voyage log}}
{{see|Brittany's notes}}

===Soundtrack===
{{see|Music in Pikmin 3|t1=Music in ''Pikmin 3''}}

===References to other series===
{{see|Reference#Pikmin 3|t1=References to other series in ''Pikmin 3''}}

===Easter eggs and secrets===
{{see|Easter eggs#Pikmin 3|t1=Easter eggs in ''Pikmin 3''}}

===Regional differences===
{{see|Region#Pikmin 3|t1=''Pikmin 3'' regional differences}}

===Mistakes===
{{see|Mistake#Pikmin 3|t1=Mistakes in ''Pikmin 3''}}

===Glitches===
{{see|Glitches in Pikmin 3|t1=Glitches in ''Pikmin 3''}}

===Prerelease information===
{{see|Pikmin 3 prerelease information|t1=''Pikmin 3'' prerelease information}}

===Unused content===
{{see|Unused content in Pikmin 3|t1=Unused content in ''Pikmin 3''}}

==History==
===Development===
{{todo|1=Add info from [https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/ask-the-developer-vol-10-pikmin-4-part-1/ Ask the Developer Vol. 10].}}
Before ''Pikmin 3'''s development started, the developers tried creating ''Pikmin'' games on both the Gameboy Advance and the [[Nintendo 3DS]]. The experience was deemed too weak on those consoles, and Shigeru Miyamoto was not pleased.{{cite web|http://nintendoeverything.com/nintendo-worked-on-pikmin-prototypes-for-gba-and-3ds-pikmin-3-has-something-for-everyone/|Nintendo worked on Pikmin prototypes for GBA and 3DS, Pikmin 3 has something for everyone|NintendoEverything}} Development was later moved to the Wii. This was first hinted at in 2007 during an interview with IGN. Shigeru Miyamoto told IGN, "I certainly don't think we've seen the last of Pikmin. I definitely would like to do something with them, and I think the [[Wii]] interface in particular is very well suited to that franchise."

A future installment was confirmed during E3 2008, at Nintendo's Developer Roundtable, where all that was mentioned was that Miyamoto was working on a future installment.{{cite web|http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/16/liveblog-from-nintendos-2008-e3-developer-roundtable/|Liveblog from Nintendo's 2008 E3 Developer Roundtable|Engadget}} At E3 2011, Miyamoto stated at his roundtable that ''Pikmin 3'' was moved from the Wii to the Wii U, noting that the special GamePad controller and the HD visuals would better complement the series.{{cite web|http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/26645/pikmin-coming-to-wii-u|Pikmin coming to Wii U|Nintendo World Report}} E3 2012 marked the first appearance of ''Pikmin 3'' gameplay, shown off at Nintendo's press conference. Basic gameplay, HD visuals, the GamePad interface, and Rock Pikmin were shown off. It was proposed to be a launch title, but was later pushed back. It was shown off once again at E3 2013, as Miyamoto gave a small presentation on the game. ''Pikmin 3'' eventually launched towards the end of summer in 2013. Miyamoto stated in a Polygon interview that the [[Pikmin Short Movies|''Pikmin'' Short Movies]] were intended to launch on the 3DS prior to the launch of ''Pikmin 3''{{cite web|http://www.polygon.com/2013/3/11/4088868/nintendo-tests-the-waters-for-new-cartoon-series-based-on-pikmin|Nintendo tests the waters for new cartoon series based on Pikmin|Polygon}}. Though it didn't come out alongside the game, it eventually was announced in November of 2014.

===Release===
''Pikmin 3'' was first planned to be a launch title alongside the [[Wii U]]{{cite web|http://www.wired.com/2013/07/pikmin-3-wii-u-review/|Pikmin 3 is a Great Game, But Not Because it’s on Wii U|Wired}}. As development went on, however, the game was pushed back to "launch window", which spanned from {{date|18|November|2012}} to {{date|31|March|2013}}. The game was eventually delayed again, now setting a release date during the summer season.{{cite web|http://www.gamespot.com/articles/pikmin-3-delayed-again/1100-6407109/|''Pikmin 3'' delayed again|GameSpot}} ''Pikmin 3'' eventually launched on {{date|13|July|2013}} in Japan, and {{date|26|July}}, {{date|27|July}}, and {{date|4|August}}, in Europe, Australia, and North America, respectively. The Japanese version of the game is only available in Japanese, while the American version is available in American English, Latin American Spanish, and Canadian French, and the European version of the game is available in European English, European French, German, Italian, and Castilian Spanish.

Nintendo of America held [[Pikmin 3 GameStop Hands-On event|an event]] from {{date|20|July|2013}} to {{date|21|July|2013}}, in which fans could visit a participating GameStop or GAME store to play a special demo of the [[Tropical Wilds]] stage. Those who participated were told they could get a download code to get ''Pikmin 3'' a day early. However, a major problem arose with the SKUs, and only about two thirds of the customers actually got a download code that worked.

===Reception===
The game received generally positive reviews from most reviewers. The game was praised for its well thought-out gameplay, graphics, and innovations. Famitsū gave the game a cumulative score of 37/40, with three reviewers giving a 9/10 and one reviewer giving it a perfect 10. The main complaint that most reviewers, such as IGN, had was about the game's short campaign, compared to ''[[Pikmin 2]]''{{'s}}. IGN gave the game an 8.8/10.

The game received a large fan following before and after the game's release. This following continued on to the holiday season of 2013 with the last [[downloadable content]] pack coming out then. With bigger Wii U titles approaching, such as ''[[mariowiki:Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze|Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]'', the fan following of the game slowly died out. Nintendo also offered a free downloadable game with the purchase of ''[[mario:Mario Kart 8|Mario Kart 8]]'', with one of the options being ''Pikmin 3''. However, the fandom continued to be outclassed with bigger titles such as ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U]]''.

===Versions===
{{main|Update|Region}}
Following ''Pikmin 3''{{'s}} release, some software updates were eventually released for the game. Their main purpose is to enable the download of the [[DLC]] packs, but they also fix some [[glitch]]es and improve some gameplay features. Each update changes the game's internal version number.

On top of that, there are three regional versions of the game: the Japanese version, the North American version, and the European and Australian version. The only difference between these versions is the game's script: it's in Japanese in Japan, American English in North America, and British English in Europe, along with other European languages. All of these versions have received the exact same software updates, and keep their differences all throughout their lifespan.

===Downloadable content===
{{see|Downloadable content}}
Nintendo offered three downloadable content packs, all for either [[Battle enemies!]] or [[Collect treasure!]]. They cost a grand total of $8.97 / €8.97 / £8.37. After the closure of the Wii U eShop on {{Date|27|March|2023}}, they are no longer available for purchase.

===Demo version===
An eShop demo for ''Pikmin 3'' was released following the launch of the [[Pikmin Short Movies|''Pikmin'' Short Movies]], as a way for new fans to try out the series. In the demo, the player can play up until they defeat the [[Armored Mawdad]] and collect the [[Data Glutton]] in Story mode, at which point the game will prompt the player to buy the full version. [[Tropical Forest]] and [[Thirsty Desert]] in the Collect Treasure! section of [[Mission Mode]] are also available. Battle Enemies! remains inaccessible, and [[downloadable content]] cannot be purchased. In Defeat Bosses!, only the Armored Mawdad can be challenged. [[Bingo Battle]] is not available in the demo. [[Saved game|Save data]] can be transferred over from the demo to the full game. The story will also end if the player spends five [[day]]s on the planet without defeating the Armored Mawdad. Like the downloadable content, the demo is no longer available due to the Wii U eShop being shut down.

===Re-releases===
On {{date|12|February|2016}}, it was announced that ''Pikmin 3'' would be re-released in the [[Nintendo Selects]] lineup on {{date|11|March|2016}}, along with other games.{{cite web|http://mynintendonews.com/2016/02/12/new-nintendo-selects-games-announced-for-wii-u-wii-and-nintendo-3ds/|New Nintendo Selects Games Announced For Wii U, Wii And Nintendo 3DS|My Nintendo News}}

On {{date|5|August|2020}}, an enhanced port was revealed for the [[Nintendo Switch]], titled {{p3d}}. Following this announcement, the Wii U original game and its demo were removed from the Wii U eShop, though it returned on {{date|4|September|2020}}.{{cite web|https://nintendoeverything.com/pikmin-3-returns-to-the-wii-u-eshop/|Pikmin 3 returns to the Wii U eShop|Nintendo Everything|published={{date|4|September|2020}}|retrieved={{date|4|September|2020}}}}

==Blurbs==
===''Why Wii U?'' booklet===
{{transcript|Pikmin 3 is a fully reimagined, mass-action strategy title from the critically acclaimed Pikmin series. Players will discover a beautiful world filled with strange creatures and take command of a swarm of ant-like Pikmin trying to survive. The world is densely packed with treasures and enemies, which make the game much more action focused and fills it with layers of potential strategies and paths, adding greater replayability to the challenge modes.|block=y}}

===Case blurb===
{{transcript|Explore an alien worlds with the help of your Pikmin army!|block=y}}

{{transcript|Take command of three tiny explorers and a legion of tenacious Pikmin in a fight for survival. Your loyal swarm of Pikmin will battle enemies, build pathways, and collect food to save your depleted home planet.|block=y}}

==Connections to other games==
{{see also|Canon}}

''Pikmin 3''{{'s}} plot is not related to any other game's plot, although Olimar's initial exploration of [[PNF-404]] in {{p1}} is referred to a couple of times, mostly in [[data file]]s. All of the elements from ''Pikmin'' and {{p2}} are explained inside ''Pikmin 3''.

==Credits==
{{see|Credits#Pikmin 3|t1=''Pikmin 3'' credits}}

==Media==
===Logos===
<gallery>
Pikmin3 logo E3.png|Early logo (E3 2012).
Pikmin 3 logo.png|Logo.
Pikmin 3 logo Japanese.png|Logo in Japanese.
</gallery>

===Game covers===
<gallery heights="180">
Pikmin 3 early boxart.jpg|The early North American box art.
NintendoSelectsPikmin3.jpg|The North American Nintendo Selects box art.
Pikmin 3 Brazil boxart.png|Brazilian box art.
Pikmin 3 Europe boxart.png|The European box art.
Pikmin3boxart.jpg|The early European box art.
P3 EU Nintendo Selects box.png|The European Nintendo Selects box art.
Pikmin 3 Germany boxart.png|The German box art.
Pikmin 3 Nintendo Selects Germany boxart.png|The German Nintendo Selects box art.
Pikmin 3 Australia boxart.png|The Australian box art.
Pikmin 3 Nintendo Selects Australia boxart.png|The Australian Nintendo Selects box art.
Pikmin 3 Japan box.jpg|The Japanese box art.
Pikmin 3 Japan box back.jpg|The back side of the Japanese box art.
</gallery>

===Promotional artwork===
<gallery>
pikmin 3 (J) website prologue.JPG|The prologue as depicted on the official ''Pikmin 3'' Japanese website.
Pikmin3JFull.png|Artwork used for the Japanese box art.
Pikmin 3 Artwork 01.jpg|Promotional artwork, from which the boxart is based.
Pikmin 3 artwork without Pikmin.jpg|Same as the previous image without any Pikmin.
Pikmin 3 cover center no Pikmin.jpg|Center scene of the previous image.
Pikmin 3 group art.jpg|Promotional art for the game.
Pikmin 3 Flowers.jpg|Promotional art for the game.
Pikmin3Promo2.png|Promotional art for the game.
Pikmin 3 promo Pikmin on branch.jpg|Promotional art.
Pikmin 3 Artwork 02.jpg|Promotional artwork.
Pikmin 3 Artwork 03.jpg|Promotional artwork.
Pikmin 3 Artwork 04.jpg|Promotional artwork.
Pikmin 3 Artwork 05.jpg|Promotional artwork.
Pikmin 3 Artwork 06.jpg|Promotional artwork.
Pikmin 3 Artwork 07.jpg|Promotional artwork.
Pikmin 3 Artwork 08.jpg|Promotional artwork.
Pikmin 3 Artwork 09.jpg|Promotional artwork.
Pikmin 3 Artwork 10.jpg|Promotional artwork.
Pikmin 3 Artwork 11.jpg|Promotional artwork.
Pikmin 3 Artwork 12.jpg|Promotional artwork.
Pikmin 3 Artwork 13.jpg|Promotional artwork.
Pikmin 3 Artwork 14.jpg|Promotional artwork.
Pikmin 3 Artwork 15.jpg|Promotional artwork.
Pikmin 3 Artwork 16.jpg|Promotional artwork.
Pikmin 3 Artwork 17.jpg|Promotional artwork.
Pikmin 3 Artwork 18.jpg|Promotional artwork.
PK 3.jpg|Promotional artwork.
</gallery>

===Wallpapers===
<gallery perrow=6>
P3 wallpaper 1 1280x1024.jpg|Wallpaper 1 (1280x1024px).
P3 Facebook cover 1.jpg|Facebook cover 1.
P3 wallpaper 1 1920x1200.jpg|Wallpaper 1 (1920x1200px).
P3 wallpaper 2 1280x1024.jpg|Wallpaper 2 (1280x1024px).
P3 Facebook cover 2.jpg|Facebook cover 2.
P3 wallpaper 2 1920x1200.jpg|Wallpaper 2 (1920x1200px).
P3 wallpaper 3 1280x1024.jpg|Wallpaper 3 (1280x1024px).
P3 Facebook cover 3.jpg|Facebook cover 3.
P3 wallpaper 3 1920x1200.jpg|Wallpaper 3 (1920x1200px).
P3 wallpaper 4 1280x1024.jpg|Wallpaper 4 (1280x1024px).
P3 wallpaper 4 1920x1200.jpg|Wallpaper 4 (1920x1200px).
</gallery>
{{see also|Promotional material}}

===YouTube Videos===
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxWIvaD2XQI E3 trailer]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnFLQOXyYNw Gameplay presentation]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIIPkyWaiu0 E3 trailer]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndMjKHxAfz8 Development Direct]

==Trivia==
*The "3" in the game's logo was originally lavender, much like the color of the flowers seen on the Winged and Rock Pikmin. However, in January 2013, the logo was changed to have orange flowers compose the "3", much like the Pikmin's flowers when under the effect of the [[ultra-spicy spray]].
*''Pikmin 3''{{'s}} box art is likely a reference to the Japanese box art for ''Pikmin''; both depict a standing Blue Pikmin, Yellow Pikmin, and Red Pikmin in that order, with the maturities bud, flower, and leaf respectively. Their stems also lean to the right in both boxes.
*Unlike ''Pikmin'' and ''Pikmin 2'', defeating the final boss of ''Pikmin 3'' immediately triggers the end of the game, without having to carry back any object.
*This is the only game in the Pikmin series that does not contain any scientific notes on new [[Plant|flora and fauna]].
*The fastest the game can be completed is in 7 days.
**The fastest the game can be [[Challenge run|100% completed]] is in 9 days.
* To help advertise ''Pikmin 3'', Nintendo of Canada participated in the 2013 {{w|Red Bull Flugtag}} event, with some representatives dressed in Pikmin and leader suits riding a [[Winged Pikmin]] aircraft.{{cite web|https://www.polygon.com/2013/7/22/4546970/winged-pikmin-aircraft-to-fly-at-red-bull-flugtag-ottawa-gatineau|Winged Pikmin aircraft to fly at Red Bull Flugtag Ottawa-Gatineau|Polygon|published={{date|22|July|2013}}|retrieved={{date|13|September|2017}}}} The aircraft didn't hover much and dipped right away, awarding the participants a total score of 16.24.{{cite youtube|zM6B4W65Jng|of the Winged Pikmin aircraft on Red Bull Flugtag 2013}}
*In the bottom-left corner of the box art, there is a Red Pikmin inside a bottle, similar to the short movie ''[[Treasure in a Bottle]]''.
*Strangely, in one of Nintendo UK’s Pikmin TV commercials you can see the German cover with the USK logo at the end.{{cite web|https://youtu.be/Zknrphvsil0?|Nintendo UK commercial for Pikmin 3|Nintendo UK|published={{date|14|August|2013}}|retrieved={{date|27|October|2024}}}}

==Names in other languages==
{{foreignname
|Jap=ピクミン 3
|JapR=Pikumin 3
|JapM=Pikmin 3
|Fra=Pikmin 3
|FraM=-
|Ger=Pikmin 3
|GerM=-
|Ita=Pikmin 3
|ItaM=-
|Spa=Pikmin 3
|SpaM=-
|Dut=Pikmin 3
|DutM=-
|DutN=Name taken from the official ''Pikmin 3'' website.
|Por=Pikmin 3
|PorM=-
|PorN=Name taken from various official sources.
|Rus=Pikmin 3
|RusM=-
|RusN=Name taken from various official sources.
|notes=y
}}

==See also==
*''[[Nintendo Land]]''
*''[[Pikmin 3 Deluxe]]''

==External links==
*{{w|Pikmin 3|Wikipedia's article on ''Pikmin 3''}}
*[[strategywiki:Pikmin 3|StrategyWiki's article on ''Pikmin 3'']]
*[[NWiki:Pikmin 3|NintendoWiki's article on ''Pikmin 3'']]
*[http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wiiu/ac3j/ Japanese website]
*[http://pikmin3.nintendo.com/ American website]
*[http://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Wii-U/Pikmin-3-640076.html#Official_Website European website]
*[http://gamesites.nintendo.com.au/pikmin-3/ Australian website]
*[http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/WiiU_Pikmin_3.pdf Game manual]

==References==
{{refs}}

{{games}}

[[Category:Main series]]