Pikmin 3 Review for the Nintendo Wii U

     

     Pikmin is not an old game. When the original Pikmin came out in 2001, it was unlike anything that anyone played. Then, Pikmin 2 came out three years later in 2004, with better controls and new pikmin types. We've waited almost 10 years for Pikmin 3, so a lot depends on this game. I can reassure you that this game is worth it. Nintendo did a great job on this Pikmin game, and I hope that a new generation will enjoy it as much as I have.

Gameplay

     The gameplay in this game is solid. You command a tiny group of creatures called Pikmin, which vary in types and abilities, as they help you defeat enemies and collect items. There is a time limit to each day, so at the end of the game day you have to call all your Pikmin to leave the planet. To extend your time limit, you can collect fruit and go up to 99 days. You control three captains, unlike the last game when you only controlled two. This leads to some interesting puzzles and some funny dialogue between all three captains. Another interesting feature is that you can use your gamepad (A.K.A the KopPad) to take snapshots of the environment through the eyes of the captains. This is a neat little feature. Here is a picture taken by the KopPad below.

How cute!

Controls

     You can play the game in three ways, using the wii remote, which I would recommend, while the gamepad is used as a map, the Wii U pro controller, and the Wii U gamepad by itself, which both feel like a gamecube controller. This gives a little more freedom on how to play. The controls aren't too hard to master, but I would recommend playing with the Wii remote and nunchuck for a better experience. Controlling each captain has never been easier, and I think no one should have a hard time controlling the characters.

Entertainment

     The game's storyline is light and cute. A planet named Koppai is running out of food, so Koppai sends three captains to an unknown plant called PNF-404 to collect fruit to bring to Koppai. Many other things happen, but I don't want to spoil too much. You meet five kinds of Pikmin on your adventure, each having different abilities that aid you on each of the five areas of the planet. I found myself chuckling at the dialogue between each of the three captains, and I have to say that this has some pretty good writing. My one and only complaint on the game is that I felt the story was a little too short, but it makes up for this on mission and bingo battle mode, which both have great replay ability. In conclusion, I think this is a great game, and long time Pikmin fans MUST buy this game.