Pikmin 3, like other games, had a Beta version that never made it to the public. While no one has been able to go into the game's files to get unused content as of now, we do know some Beta elements that never made the light of day, by trailers and footage. Hopefully, over time, we will be able to access unused Pikmin 3 data from the game's disc itself.
Unused and Changed Characters
Brittany
- Main article: Brittany.
Brittany had a minor change. In the Beta Version, Brittany's suit was yellow, and her concept art was as well. In the final version, her suit was changed to Red.
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Early concept art of Brittany, showed of at E3 2012.
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Brittany in her yellow suit in the Beta version of the game.
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The final version of Brittany.
Character D
Early concept art of Brittany, showed of at E3 2012.
Brittany in her yellow suit in the Beta version of the game.
The final version of Brittany.
There was one character that never made it into the game in any footage whatsoever, and was scrapped. He was showed off at E3 2012, and all that was underneath him was D. With an interview with Miyamoto, he stated that there were 3 captains playable at one time, suggesting Character D was scrapped, since he was never shown in any footage. Since Alph, Brittany, and Charlie all had the first letter of their name under their art at E3 2012, it is sometimes suggested by fans that the characteristics of Character D were given to Drake. It is unknown if this is true, but it is slightly ruined when one realizes Drake shows little character traits. A possible reason for the scrap could've been due to the constant switching around between characters, and adding a fourth character would've added to the chaos.
Pikmin 3 Logo and Light Engine
In the original introduction of Pikmin 3, the logo contained a 3 made of violet flowers, In the final game, these flowers were changed to orange to represent Ultra-Spicy Spray. Also, the earliest footage of the game showed that the game was originally much dimmer than the final version, although this was most likely due to the fact that the lighting engine probably wasn't complete at the time it was shown.
Pikmin 3's original logo and darker setting.
Pikmin 3's final logo and more lit-up design.
Scanning
In an early build of the game, the scan feature would cause the camera to enter a tilt-shift mode to focus only on the creature, and the creature would highlight in blue. The name of said highlighted creature was displayed in simple blue text above it. This was greatly changed in the final game.
The beta version of Scanning.
The Scanning GUI in the final game.
Whistle
Originally, the whistle in Pikmin 3 had a smaller radius than in the past two games, and lasted for a shorter length of time. This was later changed to be slightly larger and longer, and included the ability for the Whistle to call Winged Pikmin by raising off the floor after fully expanding to create a cylindrical beam of light.
Rock Pikmin
- Main article: Rock Pikmin.
In the earliest footage shown of Pikmin 3, Rock Pikmin had a slightly different appearance, with slightly darker coloration and dark-coloured limbs. They also had made different sounds that sounded like lower-pitched versions of common Pikmin sounds. Each Rock Pikmin was also shaped slightly differently (e.g. some were shorter but wider). This made them seem more like real rocks, but the feature was removed in the final game.
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Original Rock Pikmin
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Final Rock Pikmin
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Rock Pikmin in the E3 2012 demo. Some are shaped differently.
Crystals
Original Rock Pikmin
Final Rock Pikmin
Rock Pikmin in the E3 2012 demo. Some are shaped differently.
In the earliest footage of Pikmin 3, Crystals were much more opaque. In the final game, they were changed to be completely transparent.
- Pikmin3 BetaCrystal.jpg
Crystals, as they looked in the game's early production.
Crystals, as they appear in the final game.
Unused Names
Combustion Berry
In the 2012 demo for Pikmin 3, the Golden Sunseed was referred to as the "Combustion Berry", sharing the same name as a fruit treasure that appeared in Pikmin 2.
Pyroplasmic Slooch
In early footage the Pyroclasmic Slooch was one of the first new enemies revealed, and its name was instead "Pyroplamic Slooch".