Pikmin 3 is the third game in the Pikmin series, set to be released for the Wii U on July 13, 2013 in Japan[1] and on August 4, 2013 in North America.[2] It was revealed at E3 2012 along with a gameplay presentation and several playable demos on the showcase floor.[3] Major new elements announced include Rock Pikmin, Winged Pikmin and three leaders. In the Nintendo Direct of 5/17/13, it is shown that the storyline in entirely separate from Pikmin and Pikmin 2 and features three different captains: Alph, Brittany, and Charlie.
Note: some details on this page are inferred from gameplay videos and trailers, and may not be entirely accurate.
Plot
The game begins as a boy named Alph, a scientist named Brittany, and a captain named Charlie are on Planet Koppai.
It is unknown whether they are Hocotatians, or if Hocotatians even play a role in the game. However, since Olimar is said to appear in this game, it is likely they are somehow related to Hocotatians. Their planet is facing a doomsday by a food shortage, so the three captains leave out to search for much needed food. During the trip, they crash land on the Pikmin Planet and get separated. Along the way, they discover the Pikmin . They reunite and find some fruit. However, due to the gargantuan size of the fruit, the captains must use the Pikmin to retrive the fruit. After the fruit is analyzed, it turns into juice, which the player drinks throughout the day. The seeds of the fruit are sent back to Koppai to grow the fruit there, in hopes of ending the food crisis.
Gameplay
The gameplay of Pikmin 3 is largely similar to that of the other two games in the series in that players use the Pikmin to accomplish tasks, and the five existing Pikmin types have been confirmed for the game. The game is said to be more similar to Pikmin than Pikmin 2, as there is a time limit. New gameplay elements include the Rock Pikmin, used to destroy the armor of enemies and other tough objects; the Winged Pikmin, which hover low above the ground; and new hazards such as ice and magma, which require new tactics to overcome. Pikmin have demonstrated new abilities not previously encountered, such as riding down a natural slide to gather materials and collecting stones from piles around the area to build bridges.
These Pikmin leaders are able to throw other leaders in Pikmin 3 (though at a lower angle than Pikmin), allowing for new puzzles. Throwing a leader seems to have a similar effect to throwing a Pikmin: the thrown leader will perform possible actions in the surrounding area, such as picking buried Pikmin.
After completing a stage, the replay feature allows players to review their session using the GamePad and the television. The recorded game can be fast-forwarded, rewound or paused.
The game features a Challenge Mode, with three submodes; of these, Mission Mode challenges players to earn a high score by gathering the most fruit by value in a given time limit. The fruit is carried by Pikmin to a floating machine that resembles a satellite, which draws it in and stores it. At certain scores, medals are awarded to the player. Online multiplayer will not feature in the game, but local multiplayer will.[4]
Controls
Players can play using Wii Remote Plus- and Nunchuk-based controls similar to those of the New Play Control! titles, or using the Wii U GamePad controller. With the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, to throw Pikmin, the player shakes the Wii Remote, unlike in the New Play Control! games, and Pikmin 3 adds the ability to shake the Nunchuk to "charge" up a throw.
The GamePad acts as an overhead map and radar to track Pikmin movements in real time. It allows players to move the camera around the area freely by sliding a finger across the touch screen, making it possible to view obstacles from all sides and giving greater flexibility in commanding multiple groups of Pikmin.
When the cursor is moved over an obstacle, enemy or fruit, the target gains a blue glow, and some information is displayed. A button press zooms in the camera and displays its name. In this game, captains gain a new action: they can perform a sideways roll to move out of the way of danger. If the cursor is aimed at an object which the Pikmin can interact with, it turns into a target. The number of the Pikmin closest to you is displayed on the cursor.
Another new control feature has been shown. Using the GamePad as a map, the player can scroll through the entire area. During this, the game automatically pauses. By pressing a button in the top right corner, the game resumes. Also, if the player selects a captain, the player can move them to specific locations automatically.
New enemies
- Armored Mawdad: a large armored millipede-like creature with pincers around its mouth that it uses to capture Pikmin before using its tongue to eat them. It can be defeated by breaking its armor with Rock Pikmin.
- Medusal Slurker: a Jellyfloat-like creature that attacks in the same way.
- Pyroplasmic Slooch: a magma slug that attacks by licking up Pikmin with its tongue.
- A flying caterpillar-like creature with dragonfly like wings and a curled, butterfly-like proboscis.
- A transparent squid-like enemy that lives underwater and releases poison.
- Whiptongue Bulborb: a white Bulborb that can snatch up Pikmin with its incredibly long tongue.
- Skutterchuck: A Dweevil-like creature that keeps a crystal on its back to defend and camouflage itself; this can be destroyed with Rock Pikmin to expose the creature.
- What appear to be Skitter Leaf-like enemies that look like dead leaves, with smaller, usually concealed leaf-like limbs for moving around. Unlike the Skitter Leaf, they can harm the Pikmin.
- 3-legged water strider-like 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.
- Large fiddler crab enemy with an oversized claw that it uses to grab Pikmin with to eat them. It moves the claw around to block thrown Pikmin, and can expel bubbles which trap Pikmin and captains and float away, popping after a while and dropping anything they contain.
- Large, bio-luminescent moth-like creature that attacks by creating a tornado to suck Pikmin in. It is decorated with many coloured lights, and can become invisible by turning these off.
- Flying butterfly-like creatures that look a little different to Unmarked Spectralids; they stop and rest on Bulborbs' backs, much like how Unmarked Spectralids did in the Piklopedia in the second game.
New obstacles
- Gates made out of sand that look like sandcastles.
- Glass gates that Rock Pikmin can break.
- Crystal Nodule: large crystals that Rock Pikmin can break. They may have items inside.
- Spotcap: small mushrooms that block areas and can be broken by any Pikmin.
- Kingcap: a large Spotcap.
- Fragments: piles of pieces used to make bridges. A number above the pile shows how many pieces remain.
- Lily pads that captains and the Pikmin can stand on.
New Pikmin
Rock Pikmin: Rock Pikmin are basically rocks that have a Pikmin stem, legs, and arms. They are capable of breaking Crystal Nodules due to their physical properties also being similar to that of rocks. They are also the only Pikmin capable of breaking the armor of the Armored Mawdad. They are seemingly generated from the Medusal Slurkers, but they also seem to have an Onion, notified by the Grey Pellet. They are immune to the crushing attacks of Skutterchucks and Armored Cannon Beetle Larva.
Winged Pikmin: Appearing pink in color with large blue insect-like eyes, the Pink Pikmin are unique in that they have wings. This enables them to fly over hazards and carry objects through the air with ease. While it has not been explicitly stated, the Winged Pikmin have a pink pellet that they can carry, so it is assumed that they have an Onion.
Other elements
- Common Glowcaps can be found mostly buried beneath the ground. If a captain touches one of these, it emerges, rising to full height and shedding light on the nearby area. The game features very dark areas, making these useful plants.
- Pikmin 3 seems to feature updated graphics that are different from the first and second game, which seemed to have a very similar style of graphics. In Pikmin 3, there is much more texture, an example of which being that a Bulborb's spots seem to raise off the said Bulborb's back, rather than simply being markings on the back akin to the ladybug. Everything appears much glossier, and Pikmin stems seem to glow slightly.
- During the game, players will be able to take screenshots of the game from the Pikmins' point of view. Players can then post these screenshots onto Miiverse to share with other players.
- It seems that Pikmin now share Onions. In the photo to the left, the Onion changes from Red to Grey, symbolizing Red and Rock Pikmin. Since there is no other onion, this seems like a logical explanation.
- It seems that captains now have in-game dialogue, as opposed to being limited to their notes. In a recent screenshot, which can be viewed in the Gallery, shows the captain Alph saying "What was that?" for an unknown reason.
History
Pikmin 3 was first announced during E3 2008,[5] where 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[6], but this was changed with the announcement of Nintendo's Wii U at E3 2011, where Pikmin 3 was confirmed for the new console.[7] 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[8] 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:[9] 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.
Artwork
- WiiU Pikmin3 1 illu01 E3.png
A map of the area playable in the E3 demo
Playable captains in the game
- Pikmin3NABoxart.jpg
North American Boxart
Gallery
- Pikmin3Screen1.jpg
Pikmin battling an Armored Mawdad
- Pikmin3Screen6.jpg
An image of a Whiptongue Bulborb with a long tongue that acts similar to an anteater
- Pikmin3Screen2.jpg
Walking through a destroyed gate
A pile of Fragments
- Pikmin3Screen3.jpg
Pikmin carrying yellow rocks
- Pikmin3Screen4.jpg
Captains are able to throw Pikmin as well as other captains
- Pikmin3Screen5.jpg
Pikmin constructing a bridge
- Manta ray.png
The ray-like enemy
The crab-like enemy
- Butterflies.png
The butterflies, just flying off from a Red Bulborb
Another screenshot of the Whiptongue Bulborb, showing its name
- Pikmin3Screen7.jpg
Blue Pikmin with some new water enemies
- Pikmin3Screen8.jpg
Pikmin sitting on a vine
- Pikmin3Screen9.jpg
Returning fruit for points in Mission Mode
- Pikmin3flyingbugenemy.PNG
Pikmin on a lillypad with a new enemy overhead
- Pikmin3gate.png
Red Pikmin breaking down a Gate
- DeadSkitterLeafPikmin3.png
Skitter Leaf-like enemies
Pikmin attacking a Red Bulborb
- Pikmin3LavaSlug.jpg
Pikmin being eaten by Pyroplasmic Slooches
- Pyroplasmic Slooch.JPG
Showing the Pyroplasmic Slooch's name
- Pikmin3ScreenND1.jpg
Red Pikmin near a Whiptongue Bulborb
- Pikmin3ScreenND2.jpg
A Whiptongue Bulborb attacking
- Pikmin3ScreenND3.jpg
A Fiery Blowhog near some Glowcaps
Unknown butterflies flying around a Spotty Bulborb
A closer view of the unknown butterflies
A Spotty Bulborb near two dead Dwarf Bulborbs
Another view of the Spotty Bulborb
Unnamed crab enemy attacking the Pikmin
Yellow Pikmin on a branch
- Pikmin3ScreenND10.jpg
A Dwarf Bulborb attacking a Red Pikmin
A Spotty Bulbear and Dwarf Bulbears
- Pikmin3ScreenND12.jpg
A Spotty Bulbear approaches
Close-up of a Spotty Bulbear
- Pikmin3ScreenND14.jpg
Another screenshot of the Spotty Bulbear
- Pikmin3ScreenND15.jpg
Yellow Pikmin and Rock Pikmin
- Pikmin3ScreenND16.jpg
Blue Pikmin submerged in water
Red Pikmin carrying gold rocks
- Tablet communicator.JPG
A tablet-like communicator
- Three captains.JPG
The three captains walking
- Ice Area.JPG
A frozen-over area
Alph encounters a Red Pikmin.
- WUPP Pikmin3 Ev05 scrn02.png
Yellow Pikmin sitting on a large tin can.
Yellow Pikmin attacking some Spotcaps and Kingcaps.
The odd Onion looking object.
Alph and a group of Red Pikmin.
Alph and a group of Red Pikmin encounter the Sunseed Berry
- WUPP Pikmin3 Ev05 scrn07.png
The ship analyzes the Sunseed Berry.
Alph and some Red Pikmin attack some Fiery Blowhogs.
A Yellow Wollywog prepares to attack.
- WUPP Pikmin3 Ev05 scrn10.png
Charlie and Brittany order Yellow Pikmin to get Cupid's Grenade in a snow-like area
Rock Pikmin break down a glass gate in a rainy area.
The Winged Pikmin carry back a Pear.
Charlie and some Red Pikmin fight the Pyroplasmic Slooches.
Some Pikmin carrying back a Tangelo.
An Armored Cannon Beetle Larva Launches a boulder down a slope at Alph and his Pikmin.
The captains and pikmin ride a Lilly pad. Notice the electric gate to the right.
The captains and a Fiery Blowhog.
Alph encounters a Burrowing Snagret.
The game's Map View mode on the Gamepad causes the game to pause.
Charlie is automatically being led to a location via Gamepad.
The base. Notice the Red and Grey Onion.
Alph gives Red Pikmin some orders.
Older Pikmin 3 Logo, first seen at E3 2012.
- Logo Space.png
Pikmin 3 Logo floating in space.
Pikmin 3 Spaceship, along with an Onion.
- Pikmin3 Compete With Your Friends.png
Battle With Your Friends (Intro to battle mode in the E3 2013 trailer).
Battle Mode. Also shows Olimar in his first Pikmin 3 appearance.
More Battle Mode. (Also notice the color of Pikmin Flowers and Leaves).
Olimar being pummeled by a falling rock.
Player 1, close to victory. Player 2's screen gets smaller, while the other gets bigger.
Victory Screen.
- Pikmin3 Collect Fruit and Save Your Hungry Planet.png
Collect Fruit and Save Your Hungy Home Planet (Intro to collecting fruit in the E3 2013 trailer).
Discovering a new fruit type.
- Pikmin3 Citrus Lump.png
The Citrus Lump as it appears in the scanning screen.
The Citrus Lump being turned into juice.
- Pikmin3 New Wall Type.png
New Wall type. Only Winged Pikmin may lift it.
- Pikmin3 Take On Fierce Enemies.png
Take On Fierce Enemies (Intro to battling enemies in the E3 2013 trailer).
- Pikmin3 Rawr.png
The new Worm-Like enemy, roaring at the Pikmin. Very similar to the Emperor Bulblax's scream in Pikmin 2.
Alpha confronting the new Bee-Like enemy.
- Pikmin3 Bee Things Attack.png
The new enemy flys by the Pikmin squad.
- Pikmin3 Bee Thing Closeup.png
A closeup of the new Bee-Like enemy.
The swarm of Bee-Like enemies being attacked by powered-up Pikmin.
- Pikmin3 Command an Army of Tiny Pikmin.png
Command an Army of Tiny Pikmin (Intro to strategic work division in the E3 2013 trailer).
- Pikmin3 Plum.png
Winged Pikmin carrying a Plum.
- Pikmin3 Yellow Pikmin Current.png
Yellow Pikmin creating a current through a broken wire.
Result of the current. Also shows the Mushroom Platforms before they bloom.
Blooming Mushroom Platforms, in response to the new light source.
Rock Pikmin breaking a glass wall. Also confirms the reappearance of the Crimson Candypop Bud.
- Pikmin3 Blue Ceramic Bridge.png
A constructible bridge made of blue ceramics.
- Pikmin3 Explore a Strange Planet.png
Explore a Strange Planet (Intro to exploration in the E3 2013 trailer).
A log bridge being crossed by the Pikmin squad.
Screenshot of the map that appears on the GamePad.
- Pikmin3 Red Glowcap.png
Screenshot of the new winged, bioluminescent, enemy. Also shows a red Common Glowcap in the background.
- Pikmin3 That Thing.png
Closeup of the new enemy, the red Glowcap, and a dangling light bulb.
- Pikmin3 Emo-Long-Legs.png
A new enemy. Likely to be a boss type, and to be a member of the "Long Legs" family.
Alph, when he first sees a Pikmin.
The logo in space, with 3 comets, or meteors, behind it.
Satoru Iwata standing in front of the Pikmin 3 E3 booth.
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References
| Games | |
|---|---|
| Main games | Pikmin • Pikmin 2 • Pikmin 3 • Pikmin 4 |
| Spin-off games | Hey! Pikmin • Pikmin Bloom |
| Re-releases | New Play Control! Pikmin • New Play Control! Pikmin 2 Pikmin 3 Deluxe • Pikmin 1 (Nintendo Switch) • Pikmin 2 (Nintendo Switch) |
| Web games | Pikmin.com SpaceForce • Pikmin Treasure Hunt • Pikmin Finder |
| Super Smash Bros. series | Brawl • for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U • Ultimate |
| Others | Pikmin Adventure (Nintendo Land) • Stage Debut |