Pikmin 3

Pikmin 3
File:Boxart.png
Pikmin 3
Console	Wii U
Developer	Nintendo EAD
Publisher	Nintendo
Genre	RTS
Players	{{{players}}}
Release date
Japan	N/A
North America	N/A
Europe	N/A
Australia	N/A
South Korea	N/A

Pikmin 3 is the upcoming third installment in the Pikmin franchise revealed during the Nintendo press conference at the 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo on June 5th. It will be released on the Nintendo Wii U console in spring 2013 for Japan, and sometime in quarter two 2013 elsewhere.

Plot

From what has been seen at E3 so far, Pikmin 3 revolves around 4 entirely-new characters who come to the Planet of the Pikmin for currently unknown reasons, and explore the depths of the planet after having become lost. None of these characters seem to be related to Olimar nor presumably Louie, who are notably missing.

According to Krysta Yang, Public Relations Specialist for Nintendo, more of the story will be revealed as the game comes closer to launch.

Gameplay

Pikmin 3 will play in a similar fashion to previous installments. However

File:Pikmin 3 an image from Pikmin 3.jpeg

A screenshot from Pikmin 3

, the Pikmin themselves will be able to perform a multitude of different tasks. There are new hazards such as ice and magma-based enemies. Olimar and Louie, for a reason Miyamoto wants to stay secret, were not playable characters during the E3 demonstrations. Instead, a pink-haired girl, a bald general, a small blue haired boy, and a tall, green-haired man are the playable characters.

Pikmin will break walls differently based on where they attack the walls. Various new tasks can be performed, such as picking up fruit and anything else used for nourishment.

The captains will be able to throw other captains, and be able to play with each other in the main story mode.

File:Gamepad.jpg

The Wii U gamepad as the map screen.

The battle mechanics will be much more refined. Some enemies will take more damage if Pikmin are thrown onto specific parts of their bodies. Two control options are currently available: The Wii U Gamepad and the Wii remote (with Wii MotionPlus) & nunchuck. The players will be able to use the Wii U Gamepad to view different parts of the map. The Wii remote & nunchuck configuration will be similar to the Wii versions of Pikmin and Pikmin 2. One key difference is the omission of the ability to move Pikmin around the pilot as a group.

There will be several different locations. Lush forests, caves, and a somewhat tropical region with sandcastle gates have been seen in footage and photos.

There will be many new game modes, including multiplayer, singleplayer, and a new type of Challenge Mode. The Multi-player gaming mode will not be online due to complications such as too many screens dropping and having so many Pikmin, which may cause lag in the Pikmin's unique movements.

In the E3 demo, many critics took note of the fact that the "swarm" feature appeared to be absent from the Wii Remote and the nunchuck control scheme. The player can use a flicking motion with the nunchuck to make the Pikmin charge at a target; this is mentioned by Miyamoto during Nintendo's E3 2012 press conference, and is seen briefly in the first game trailer. A new ability has also been added; captains can now quickly roll side-to-side, and any Pikmin following them will do the same.

The new "swarm" tactic that allows players to target enemies and objects, which displays it's name above the head, locks the reticle on them, and directs all Pikmin to attack the target.

In a recent interview, Miyamoto was asked to tell exactly how the game would work. He then compared Pikmin 1 and 2, saying that Pikmin 1 was more about strategy and the following of a strict time limit, which allowed less time to explore, while Pikmin 2 was all about exploration and using the Pikmin in different ways. Miyamoto went on to say that Pikmin 3 would be a combination of both; presumably having strict rules and the need for careful, strategic planning, while also being able to explore and use many new Pikmin and their abilities in new ways.

Controls

Wii Remote Plus+Nunchuck

While the controls may seem like the "New play control" scheme, there are actually a few notable differences. The ability to "barrel roll" with the D-pad has been added, along with the ability to scan with the Z button. Cycling through your Pikmin types while holding one has been changed to the C button, and disbanding your Pikmin has been changed to shaking the nunchuck.

(These controls are only from the E3 demo and because of such they are subject to change upon final release)

Wii U Gamepad

The Wii U Gamepad can also be used to play Pikmin 3. With the Gamepad, the player can use the analog sticks to move the captains and the X,Y,A, and B buttons to perform a number of different tasks, such as throwing and dismissing Pikmin, and switching and calling leaders as well as different Pikmin types. The Wii U Gamepad's screen displays an overhead map, and the Gamepad itself can be tilted to aim the cursors and whistle thanks to the gyroscope and accelerometer. Scanned enemies will also have their locations marked on the map.

New Pikmin

Currently, 2 new Pikmin types have been seen:

• Rock Pikmin

• Unknown Flying Pikmin

According to a woman at the E3 show floor, there will be additional Pikmin that will be discussed at a later date.

Krysta Yang, Public Relations Specialist for Nintendo, has also stated in an interview that there will "definitely be more pikmin" than the Rock Pikmin.

Nintendo E3 Presentation

Pikmin 3 was the very first game Nintendo presented at E3 on June 5th, 2012.

File:Wii U - Pikmin 3 E3 Trailer

Pikmin 3 E3 Trailer.

File:Pikmin 3 - E3 2012 Gameplay Presentation & Trailer HD

Pikmin 3 Demonstration

• P3.jpg

  The Pikmin 3 logo

• Pikmin3Captains.jpg

  Captains throwing eachother to get around an obstacle.

• Pikmin 3 characters.png

  The 4 new characters in Pikmin 3. Olimar and Louie will not be playable in the game for currently-unknown reasons. Although Olimar will indeed appear, it is unknown why he is not playable.

• Relaxing pikmin.jpg

  The three original Pikmin in HD.

Production

The concept of Pikmin 3 first began in early 2006, and actual production of the game began in mid-2007. Miyamoto stated he was working with "a very, very, small team" and began experimenting with the DS, 3DS, and Wii consoles. Eventually, they settled on Wii, and began working on Pikmin 3. Miyamoto stated that they ran into many graphical and technical issues on the Wii version of the game.

On June 6, 2011, Pikmin 3 was annouced to be moved to the Wii U. On June 5th, 2012, the game was finally revealed to the public at E3, during Nintendo's presentation.

On August 1st, 2012, The Official Nintendo Magazine released its 85th issue, which contained information on the trial level's map and showed unofficial artwork of Pikmin 3 produced for the issue.

File:Pikmin3 YellowandBluePikmin.png

Unofficial art produced for Official Nintendo Magazine

Release Date

Pikmin will release in Japan in Spring of 2013, and North America will receive the game within the Wii U's "launch window". Nintendo has stressed that the "Spring 2013" label only applies to Japan.

File:LaunchTitles

Pikmin 3 is shown at 0:50

Trivia

• Pikmin 3 is the first game where multi-player is available in the real story. (But this could just be a multiplayer mode)

References

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