The original Pikmin was released on Nintendo Game Cube about eight years ago.
Now, the game is back on the Nintendo Wii System and is better than ever.
With a new save function, 16:9 wide screen mode and new Wii pointer-based controls, you’re sure to have a blast with this classic – even if you’ve played the previous edition.
Turning Back Time With The Wii New Play Control Pikmin
If you’re new to the series, Pikmin is a hybrid of action and real-time strategy, reminiscent of Command and Conquer.
However, the presentation is less daunting and the mechanics are more accessible, resulting in a charmingly cute game with an environment that was inspired by the creator’s own backyard.
In the game, you control Captain Olimar, a galactic explorer who has recently crash-landed on an alien planet. He has 30 days to find the scattered bits of his spacecraft and put it back together before his oxygen depletes.
Luckily he finds plant-like creatures he names Pikmin, who obediently follow his every command.
Using their strength in numbers, he starts his quest for finding all the pieces of his ship before it’s too late. This leaves you with a fun adventure where you control up to 100 Pikmin of different colors.
Their functions are to build and destroy, attack a variety of enemies, collect items, and so much more.
The Pikmin experience is greatly improved with the Wii pointer controls. Where the previous version controlled with the analog sticks, New Play Control! Pikmin makes use of the pointer action for added accuracy and speed.
Also, with your other hand, you can control Olimar with the Nunchuk’s analog stick and separately give commands to Pikmin in all directions by pointing and deploying your team.
It’s faster, tighter and feels like the way the game should have always been played.
Play Control Pikmin Still Has Design Flaws
Although everything looks lush and beautiful, there are very strict time limits in which you are confined, to successfully complete the quest.
A day in Pikmin time is about 15-20 minutes, which you must make great use of time since you only have 30 days at your disposal.
This means you’re often burning through levels as fast as possible, unable to really enjoy the scenery and locales.
Although, to the credit of Nintendo, they have included a new save function that enables you to go back to any of the previous days you’ve completed and play them again.
If you’ve messed up a day, you can go back and start fresh. Or, if you’ve messed up the ending and don’t think you’ll be able to finish, you can go back to where you think it all turned sour – say, Day 14 – and start over.
But be careful – you’ve only got three save slots so use them wisely. If your adventure back to yesteryear to an already-played day, it’ll all start there and overwrite the progress you’ve made since.
In short, Pikmin is just as great as the original, if not better. It’s still as cute and cuddly as ever, with beautiful environments and extreme attention to detail. It’s a great addition to the Wii library that will provide enjoyment to novices and newcomers alike.
If you haven’t already exhausted the previous editions, or love the game so much you don’t mind starting from the beginning again and again, make sure to grab the New Play Control! Pikmin.
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