16 July 2023 , 09:00
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Ahead of Pikmin 4's launch later this month Nintendo has released the original duo of GameCube titles on the Nintendo Switch which are worth playing, even if it's a bit of a barebones update.
Pikmin is a bit of a cursed franchise, all things considered. The games are widely beloved as hidden gems and hail from the mind of Shigeryu Miyamoto – who created Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda – the games have never really hit the big time. But when you look at the consoles the original titles released on – the Nintendo GameCube and Wii U – it becomes a little more clear as to why it hasn't taken off.
Luckily, to celebrate the imminent launch of Pikmin 4 – which our own Aaron Potter had a hands-on with and optimistically calls "the franchise’s coming out moment" – Nintendo has released the original two entries on Nintendo Switch. But those looking for a Metroid Prime Remastered-tier glow up (especially since this double pack is more expensive than Metroid Prime) will be disappointed as this remaster is more of a Super Mario 3D All Stars experience.
The games have been remastered from the New Play Control versions found on the Wii, while adapting the control scheme from Pikmin 3 (meaning actual dual stick camera controls and gyro aiming). The collection runs at 1080p which you would expect, however they also run at a meagre 30fps – which is a big disappointment considering we're talking about games that are 22-and-19-years-old respectively. While the changes are nice, it pales in comparison to Metroid Prime's Nintendo Switch release.
Dandori issue
Pikmin 1 was pretty much a GameCube launch title, realsing a few weeks after the console made its debut, and places you in the shoes of Captain Olimar, who crash lands on a mysterious planet and meets the Pikmin – a bunch of sentient plant creatures who are drawn to the Captain. Olimar's life support will run out in 30 days so it's up to him and the Pikmin to gather parts of his ship and make his way off planet PNF-404.
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Pikmin 1 is still regarded as a favourite of the series thanks to its short-but-sweet approach. The game can be beaten in a matter of hours but is also highly replayable. It's by far the most punishing game in the series due to the 30-day limit, however it also makes the game a far more exciting and tense affair than its sequels. Due to it being the first game in the series there are a few dated elements (such as lacklustre Pikmin AI) but overall it's still an absolute classic that holds up over 20 years later.
Pikmin 2 takes place minutes after Olimar returns from PNF-404 as he finds out his company has gone broke and fellow deliveryman Louie had lost an entire shipment of food. Olimar and Louie return to PNF-404 to collect countless treasures to get their company out of debt.
Pikmin 2 ditches the time limit seen in the first game and makes for a far more accessible experience for it, plus you get to control both Olimar and Louie separately for the divide and conquer approach. The game reuses overworlds from Pikmin 1, however it makes up for it by a roster of underground dungeons, each with their own unique gimmicks. The Nintendo Switch port does remove some of the product placement however (if that bothers you at all).
Overall Pikmin 1+2 is a solid collection of two classic titles, and even though it's a bit barebones upgrade wise, it's nice to have these games on a modern platform, plus it'll help fill the void while we wait for Pikmin 4.