If you were alive this past weekend you may have noticed that Nintendo released into the market a new Wii U game. Not just any, but a magical cute strategic gem known as Pikmin 3. This is the third iteration in an already strong Nintendo IP and it is the first major title in the upcoming Nintendo fall release line up extravaganza. Nintendo is nailing it this holiday season with a major release every month on the Wii U and the 3DS giving us Nintendo fanboys an empty wallet for the next 6 months (Windwaker HD, Wonderful 101, Mario & Luigi Dream Team, Link Between Worlds, and Pokemon X & Y…just to name a few). These upcoming releases make the Wii U release drought seem less tragic as most of the titles announced are very heavy hitters in Nintendo’s extensive library. The other Qoopa Klub members as well as myself plan to cover these games in the coming months.
That aside this post is not about the upcoming schedule, but more importantly, it is about the release of the video game that is Pikmin 3. A series developed by Shigeru Miyamoto, Pikmin is a strategic video game in which the player commands a horde of up to 100 plant-like creatures called Pikmin and uses their unique abilities to explore in-game worlds and uncover treasures within them. The series Pikmin began its life on the Nintendo Gamecube which is where I was exposed to it. You may be asking yourself then , “why is n00b in the title of this article?” Well, my memory is so vague of my initial play experience that upon playing Pikmin 3 (aside from its gorgeous graphics) I felt as though I was playing a new Nintendo game altogether. That feeling of nostalgia and magic that is ever so prevalent in Nintendo titles swallowed me whole on that initial play experience and continues to do so.
Since Qoopa Klub will be hosting a Pikmin 3 show this Sunday, I will refrain from belaboring you with details on the game just yet. I will note though that there is a particular mechanic I have taken a liking toward. As cliché as it may sound, I am extremely into the game pad feature of the camera. The game pad can turn into a camera upon selection of an application. The TV and the gamepad will then display a first person view of the virtual world where you can take as many pictures to your hearts content. This has become really interesting as the Pikmin 3 community in Miiverse is slowly populating with artistic scenic photography of the Pikmin planet. The universe is so beautiful that it comes as no surprise that people feel inclined to use this feature.
That said, I stand corrected if you do not think Pikmin 3 is an amazing showcase of HD Nintendo. I think its a strong beginning for what is to come with Nintendo visually and within the paradigms of play.
I now leave you with some photos from my play periods with Pikmin 3.
