Pikmin 3 preview First hands-on with Nintendos return to nature

Rumored for what seems like ages, hardcore Nintendo fans have been dying for Nintendo and developer mastermind Shigeru Miyamoto to return to the Pikmin series. A novel approach to the RTS genre that mixed in naturalistic elements, we hadn’t seen the little carrot-ant men since the GameCube. E3 2012 marks their big return, with the distinction of being one of the first and biggest Wii U games, and after our first playthrough with the HD sequel, it looks to be what fans of the cult series are looking for.

As we stepped up we weren’t handed the new tablet-esque Gamepad, instead getting our hands on the familiar Wii Remote and Nunchuk set-up. Controlling one of the new human characters (Olimar has been replaced for mysterious reasons), we walked around with the stick while moving around the reticle with the Remote. It was such a straightforward set-up that fit so well with the Pikmin gameplay of directing your army of colorful men. We called them to attention and switched units on the fly, making us regret that natural the Remote/Nunchuk set-up was never used for a game on the Wii. Meanwhile, the Gamepad is meant to be left still, displaying a map, thus clearing up the HUD on your TV.

We started off with the challenge mode, with the goal of collecting as much fruit as possible. We entered the maze-like map picking up men as we went. We grabbed strawberries, cherries, and more while also fighting it out with many familiar enemies. After tearing down walls with the classic red and purple Pikmin, we met the new Rock Pikmin. Though not the best at carrying, Rock Pikmins have a tough exterior that made them perfect projectiles. We tossed them at hardened enemies, breaking through the armored exteriors to the creamy insides.

After trying out the food challenge, we then went into boss mode to see how our collective could handle something bigger. Soon we were face-to-face with a huge creature that seemed to be an armored millipede that was quick to encircle us. Once we got a handle on how to quickly swing around the camera, we soon noticed that our red Pikmin weren’t making much of a dent, while our Rock Pikmin started were starting to crack the outside. Once the beast’s skull armor was knocked away by our rocky friends, we started tossing on our red Pikkmin on masse and they started tearing it a new face hole.

Though we weren’t able to finish it off in our five minute demo, we’re betting the creature won’t be so lucky next time. In the meantime, we can say for certain that Nintendo is making a true sequel to Pikmin, not some side game or half-step. The HD graphics look great and if it can actually be out in time for the Wii U’s launch, it could end up being the must have first party release.

CATEGORIES
PRODUCTS
Henry Gilbert

Henry Gilbert is a former GamesRadar+ Editor, having spent seven years at the site helping to navigate our readers through the PS3 and Xbox 360 generation. Henry is now following another passion of his besides video games, working as the producer and podcast cohost of the popular Talking Simpsons and What a Cartoon podcasts. 

Latest in Strategy
A big mech's lost its limbs in a screenshot from Mecharashi.
After Square Enix cancelled the first new Front Mission in years, it’s suing the developer behind it for releasing another very similar mech game
Kingmakers
Kingmakers is a strategy game about taking on medieval armies with a gun, but its devs thought the giant mech was too much
Kingmakers appearing in the Future Games Show Spring Showcase 2025
Remember that bonkers Kingmakers trailer where an attack helicopter blew up some knights? It's back with a deep dive of its simulated attackers and destructible buildings
Mount and Blade 2 appearing in the Future Games Show Spring Showcase 2025
Strategy RPG Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord heads to the seas for a Viking-inspired expansion
Rise of Industry 2 appearing in FGS Live from GDC
Go big or go home in Rise of Industry 2 as you claw your way to the top in this complex 1980s business management sim
The Deadly Path appearing in FGS Live from GDC
Strategy roguelike game The Deadly Path poses an uncomfortable question: "Am I actually any good at strategy games?"
Latest in Features
Patrick Stewart as Professor X in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
The classic Fox X-Men are returning in Avengers: Doomsday, and I've got a really bad feeling about this
Thor and Loki in Thor: Ragnarok
After 15 years in the making, Thor and Loki's reunion in Avengers: Doomsday could be the perfect MCU conclusion for the characters
Soft Rains logo with frog drawing
"There is an expectation we're gonna make a little Skyrim": Ubisoft and Bethesda veterans form new studio headed by Skyrim and Fallout designer, debuting with first-person sci-fi and "crunchy mechanics"
Witchbrook screenshot of a library in the magical college with witches flying on brooms
Witchbrook: Everything we know so far about Chucklefish's magical new life sim
The village green in Atomfall
My first 3 hours in Atomfall feel playing Fallout 3 for the first time, and if you don't check it out I'm legally obliged to bash you with a cricket bat
The Demon's Hand
League of Legends' take on Balatro is one of its best mini-games yet – and it's also exactly what's wrong with this era of League of Legends