Pikmin
| Pikmin | |
|---|---|
| Original title | ピ ク ミ ン |
| transcription | Picumin |
| developer | Nintendo EAD |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Designer | Shigeru Miyamoto |
| First title | Pikmin (2001) |
| Last title | Hey Pikmin (2017) |
| Platform (s) | GameCube , Wii , Wii U , Nintendo 3DS |
| Genre (s) | Real-time strategy |
Pikmin ( Japanese ピ ク ミ ン , Pikumin ) is a series of real-time strategy games from the Japanese manufacturer Nintendo , which so far consists of three titles, the first two of which are first as originals for Nintendo GameCube , then as implementations as part of the New Play Control! Series for Wii . The third part of the series was released for Wii U on July 26, 2013 . On July 28, 2017 Hey! Pikmin released for the Nintendo 3DS family (the Nintendo 3DS , the Nintendo 2DS, and the New Nintendo 3DS ).
background
The games were produced by Shigeru Miyamoto , who drew the inspiration for the game from an ant colony in his garden. The technical model is the concept demo Super Mario 128 , which showed 128 simultaneously interacting and reacting to the game world Marios on a game area. Due to its innovative game concept, Pikmin is difficult to classify into existing genres; it could best be described as a tactical game with strategy and puzzle elements; In addition, a certain amount of skill is required when fighting opponents. The (Japanese) self-classification is (circumscribed) " AI Action" .
Content and gameplay
The player controls one or more game characters through a three-dimensional environment. With the help of this, he can pull Pikmin out of the earth and supervise it with the various tasks by throwing it to a desired location or directing it there with a simple command. The Pikmin are about 3 cm small creatures that grow out of the earth like carrots. As soon as Olimar pulls a Pikmin out of the ground, it follows him at every turn and follows his instructions. Pikmin can clear obstacles out of the way, build bridges, fight opponents and carry found objects to the landing site. Some objects are essential to be able to develop new play areas. Each task requires the use of a certain type of Pikmin: each object requires a different number of Pikmin in order to be carried by them. You get additional Pikmin if you let the Pikmin bring the carcasses of defeated opponents or flower stigmas to the onion. With everything, the rule is that there can never be more than 100 Pikmin in the playing field at the same time. At the end of a day, the Pikmin must be returned to their flying dwellings, the so-called onions, in order not to fall victim to the nocturnal creatures.
Games
Pikmin (2001/2002)
The first part of the series was released in 2001 in North America and Japan and in 2002 in Europe. The player controls the character Captain Olimar, who has to make an emergency landing with his spaceship on a planet. There he only has 30 days to recover all the spaceship parts that were lost in the crash. On the planet he meets the eponymous Pikmin who help him with the rescue.
Pikmin 2 (2004)
Pikmin 2 was released in 2004 for the Nintendo GameCube. Some changes have been introduced compared to the first game. There is no longer a comprehensive time limit to achieve certain game objectives within a set number of days. Another game-defining expansion is that two Pikmin leaders can now be controlled, who can look after a Pikmin group independently of each other.
Another striking innovation of the second part are the cave sections, of which there are several in each play area and have several levels. The architecture of most of the cave levels is randomly generated to a certain extent. In these caves there is also no time limit for the course of a day. As in the predecessor, there are the Pikmin types red, yellow and blue, with the last two having changed a little in their capabilities. Two more Pikmin species have been added, the purple and the white.
Regardless of the main game, there is another opportunity to try a challenge mode. In contrast to the first game, the challenge mode can be played cooperatively in split-screen with a second player. The two-player mode, which is played via split screen, is new. The two players compete against each other by stealing the other player's marble or by stealing a number of neutral or yellow marbles in good time.
Pikmin 3 (2013)
The third part of the series was released in Europe on July 26, 2013 Wii U . On the planet Koppai the population is running out of food, which is why the three researchers Alph, Brittany and Charlie travel to the planet PNF-404, after a probe has found food there. The previous gameplay has been expanded to include a number of functions, including leaders who individually supervise Pikmin and who can also go independently to a destination set on the map. There is also a new game mode called Bingo Duel and two new types of Pikmin, the Rock Pikmin and the Wing Pikmin. There is also a time limit again in this game, but you can extend it by collecting fruit.
On August 5th, 2020 it was confirmed that Pikmin 3 will be re-released under the name "Pikmin 3 Deluxe" for the Nintendo Switch and will be released on October 30th, 2020.
Offshoot
New Play Control! Pikmin (2008/2009)
New Play Control! Pikmin is based on Pikmin for the Gamecube. Apart from technical adjustments ( 16: 9 widescreen and for the first time 60 Hz or progressive scan also in a PAL version of the title), it is now possible to move the target marker freely across the screen with the help of the pointer function of the Wii Remote to be able to. In addition, the Wii version now allows you to return to any previous day (or score), for example to undo mistakes in planning or excessively high Pikmin losses - but you can no longer go to the by selecting an earlier score return later scores.
New Play Control! Pikmin 2 (2009)
The Wii version of Pikmin 2 appeared in 2009 like its predecessor in the New Play Control series! again. It now supports widescreen and for the first time is also available in a PAL version of the title Progressive Scan. Pointer control is also used.
Hey Pikmin
In the Nintendo Direct of March 13, 2017, an offshoot with the title Hey! Pikmin announced for Nintendo 3DS . The game was released at the same time as a new amiibo figure on July 28, 2017.
Reviews
Pikmin 1 and 2 were equally rewarded for their innovations by the trade press and players. The time limit of 30 game units, which restricted the free exploration of the game worlds, was (slightly) criticized, especially in Pikmin 1.
Appearances in other games
Olimar is represented as a fighter in Super Smash Bros. Brawl , along with the five Pikmin species from Pikmin 2 . Accordingly, there is an arena in the game that is modeled on the planet of Pikmin. Furthermore, Olimar is represented in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / for Wii U as a character together with an arena that is based on the "Garden of Encounters" from Pikmin 3 . In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / for Wii U , Olimar can also be played as "Alph" from Pikmin 3 in the form of alternative costumes for Olimar; the well-known arenas from the previous games in the Smash series are also included again.
Web links
- Pikmin at MobyGames (English)
- Pikmin and Pikmin 2 at nintendo.de
- Pikmin and Pikmin 2 at nintendo.co.jp
Individual evidence
- ↑ Nintendo homepage: NEW PLAY CONTROL! Pikmin
- ↑ Report to Gamespot (English)
- ↑ nintendo.co.jp : "ピ ク ミ ン [...] ジ ャ ン ル: AI ア ク シ ョ ン" ( Pikumin [...] Janru: AI Akushon or Pikmin [...] genre: AI Action )
- ↑ Hey! PIKMIN. Retrieved April 13, 2017 .