Pikmin 3

Logo, as seen on the E3 of 2012.

Pikmin 3 is the recently unveiled game that serves as the next entry in the Pikmin series. It was revealed at E3 2012 along with a gameplay presentation and several playable demos on the showcase floor.

Gameplay

The gameplay of Pikmin 3 looks similar to that of the other two games in the series. In lieu of the previous titles, players use the Pikmin accomplish tasks. However, new tasks and new Pikmin are available. Among the new Pikmin are the new Rock Pikmin, used to destroy the armor of enemies, and other tough objects. New hazards such as ice and magma are now encountered and require new tactics to overcome.

Captain Olimar is not yet known to be a playable character, however four new characters are were playable at the E3 demo; a pink-haired girl, a bald general, a small green haired boy and a tall, green-haired man. It is also unknown if there will be any other characters from earlier games.

Unlike the other games, the scenery and the enemies are far more realistic, along with high definition graphics due to the Wii U system. It has been shown that leaders are now able to throw other leaders, allowing for new puzzles. Pikmin have demonstrated new abilities not seen yet; such as riding down a sort of slide to gather materials or collecting bridge pieces to build bridges. With the Wii U GamePad, players are able to strafe the camera and are able to see more sides to obstacles.

Challenge mode has been confirmed to return.

Features

All information is extracted from the official trailer at Nintendo's official webpage unless otherwise stated.

Players can play using Wii Remote Plus and Nunchuk-based controls or the Wii U GamePad controller. With new intuitive controls that make it possible to aim at objects directly, players can command their Pikmin in new interesting ways that make use of the GamePad.

The GamePad acts as an overhead map and radar to track Pikmin movements in real time. Players can slide a finger across the touch screen to quickly switch between areas, giving greater flexibility in commanding multiple groups of Pikmin.

The greater processing and high definition capabilities of the Wii U console are put to extensive use, resulting in a more intricately designed world, enhanced ant-like movement of the Pikmin and precisely detailed overhead views for enabling easier strategic use of the Pikmin.

After completing a stage, the replay feature allows players the option to review their results using the GamePad and the television. Fast-forward, rewind or pause while assessing the previous mission to decide on other paths.

In addition to the five original types of Pikmin encountered in previous games, the new Rock Pikmin bring powerful new abilities and are able to crack hard outer shells of enemies and break through solid barriers.

Mission Mode challenges players to earn the most treasure in a given time.

New enemies

• A magma slug that attacks by licking up Pikmin with its blue tongue.
• A flying caterpillar-like creature that are similar to the Wigglers from the Mario series. Its body seems to be made of fruit, and it has a curled, butterfly-like nozzle.
• A transparent squid-like enemy who's ink can suffocate Pikmin.
• Medusal Slurker.
• Armored Mawdad.
• A white Bulborb with black spots that can snatch Pikmin from a distances using its long tongue (similar to an anteater).
• A Dweevil-like creature that picks up crystals to defend itself, which can be destroyed with Rock Pikmin to expose the creature.
• What appear to be Skitter Leaf-like animals with realistic dead-leaf appearances. However, unlike the Skitter Leaf, they can cause direct harm to the Pikmin.
• Bugs that can skate across the surface of water and hold water in a bulb on their back which is used to attack and then must be refilled somehow.

History

• Around the time of the release of the first Pikmin game, it was hinted at that Pikmin might be a trilogy.^{citation needed}

• On July 30th, 2003, Pikmin's creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, said in an interview with Gamers Mark that he had already got the basic idea for Pikmin 3 in his mind.

• On 12th July, 2007, in an interview with Shigeru Miyamoto, an IGN interviewer asked if he planned to do anything with Pikmin. His reply was as follows:

"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."

• On the 18th of April, 2008, Shigeru Miyamoto revealed in an interview on the topic of Wii Fit that he desired to continue with the Pikmin series:

"As for what the developer would like to work on next, Miyamoto said he's looking forward to working on the Wii some more. He also reiterated his desire to make another entry in the Pikmin series of action strategy games."

• On July 15th, 2008, during E3, Shigeru Miyamoto answered questions about a possible Pikmin 3:

"There isn't anything that we can announce right now, but I’m sure we’ll probably do something with it. The Pikmin team is, of course, still there and maybe we’ll have something to talk about before too long."

Pikmin 3 was boldly hinted at during E3 2008. Shigeru Miyamoto said, when asked about the Pikmin series, "We're making Pikmin." Nothing else about the Pikmin game in development was revealed, however. On 24th July 2008, Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed in an interview, "[the Nintendo development teams] are all working on new Mario, Zelda and Pikmin projects".

The game was originally planned for the Wii, but this was changed with the announcement of Nintendo's Wii U at E3 2011, where Pikmin 3 was confirmed for the new console. However, no confirmation has been made as to the exclusivity of Pikmin 3 to the Wii U console.

The announcement of the New Play Control! Pikmin games raised questions as to the feasibility of a Pikmin 3; following, in an IGN interview, it was made clear that the re-releases of Pikmin and Pikmin 2 are separate from Pikmin 3: Cammie Dunaway: It's not the Pikmin that Mr. Miyamoto referred to, no. Mr. Miyamoto referred to a new Pikmin, as opposed to the classics that are being re-released on Wii.

During E3 2009, Miyamoto said the following when asked about the lack of mention of Pikmin 3 during the Nintendo press conference:

"I’m sorry. Unfortunately we haven’t been able to expand the team size very much, because we've been working on so many different games that we've shown off at the show. So the team is working very hard, but it's a bit of a small team." He also mentioned that his "basic idea was that the depth and simplicity of the controls were still there."

On 4th June, in a post-E3 2009 interview, Miyamoto had more to say on the game:

"With Pikmin 3, we've got all the basics pretty much done. Now it's just a matter of how do we go in and fill that out? What sort of work do we give our designers? That team has been constantly been moving forward. So with a little time, we'll be able to make more progress and I hope we can bring you something that will make you happy."

On 19th March 2010, Pikmin 3 was revealed to be "well underway".

At E3 2010, little more information on the game was given because the other games at the show would distract from it. "Rest assured, though, we are very hard at work on Pikmin."

In an IGN E3 2010 interview, Miyamoto stated that "[the development process is] maybe getting near to the point where we'll start increasing the team size."

In a July 1st 2010 interview Miyamoto said, "Among my present promises, I have to finish Pikmin quickly, so production is progressing extremely well."

In January 2011, a retailer started offering preorders for a Pikmin (3DS) at £34.85 for 18th March delivery, but later removed the product page, stating that it was a mistake.

On April 15, 2012, Miyamoto said in a Spanish interview that a new Pikmin game and a new New Super Mario Bros HD game will both be showcased for the Wii U at E3 2012. An official comment from Nintendo adds, "[Miyamoto] believes that anyone who has played Pikmin games in the past will enjoy playing".

Artwork

• WiiU Pikmin3 1 illu01 E3.png
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Gallery

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  Pikmin battling an Armored Mawdad

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  Pikmin tearing down a wall

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  Pikmin carrying yellow rocks

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  Captains are able to throw Pikmin as well as other captains

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  Pikmin constructing a bridge

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  A new type of Bulborb with a long tongue that acts similar to an anteater

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  Blue Pikmin with some new water enemies

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  Pikmin sitting on a vine

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  Challenge Mode