Nintendo and Niantic, the developer of the popular Pokémon GO augmented reality (AR) game, have announced a new AR game centred around the Pikmin creatures from the Nintendo series Pikmin. This is the first of upcoming collaborations between Nintendo and Niantic to create AR mobile applications to bring Nintendo characters into the “real” world.
The game is expected to be released later this year, although an official launch date has not been announced.
Nintendo and Niantic will be officially embarking on a series of collaborations to create AR mobile applications. Tapping on Niantic’s expertise in AR, the two companies will seek to bring Nintendo characters into “real” life. The Pikmin series will be the first to debut, and the game is based on the concept of “making walking fun”.
For those who’re unfamiliar with the Pikmin series, Pikmin is a kind of carrot-like creature you’ll find in the Pikmin games. With googly eyes and a small stature of about 1 inch tall, Pikmin are your alliance in the game, helping you through tricky terrains and fighting off enemies.
There are many types of Pikmin, differentiated by their colour and traits. For instance, Red Pikmin are resistant to fire, while Yellow Pikmin can conduct electricity. In the games, you’ll need to collect these Pikmin that originally sprout underground and use them strategically in different situations to proceed with world exploration and complete certain objectives.
Image credit: Conker’s Bad Fur Day
For example, in the original Pikmin game released in 2001, you play the character of Captain Olimar who accidentally crash lands on a mystery land where Pikmin are found. Using these Pikmin appropriately, you strive to collect as many ship parts as possible under a time limit in order to return to your original world.
The game has 2 sequels that are based on a similar rationale of puzzle-solving and world exploration, but with different plots, objectives, and added features. Released in October 2020, Pikmin 3 Deluxe is the latest addition to the franchise.
Image adapted from: @nomtats
While the game title has not been officially announced, fans are already dubbing the game as “Pikmin GO”. This has amused Tatsuo Nomura, the head of Niantic Tokyo Studio, who had to clarify on his Twitter that “Pikmin GO” is not the official game name.
Amidst the buzz, many excited voices have emerged too. Many are charmed by the game’s adorable Pikmin and are looking forward to the game.
Twitter user @fujiokq tweeted, “Pikmin are so cute. I don’t even know what they are, but they’re my baes for real.”
Another Twitter user @_AgentAriana_ said that they “can’t wait to have a whole army of cute pikmin following [them] around” – something we think is highly likely if the teaser images are taken seriously.
Image adapted from: @Shamoiken
However, some fans of the Pikmin series, such as Twitter user @Shamoiken, were disappointed by the announcement as this means the wait for Pikmin 4 continues. Pikmin 4 has been confirmed to be in the making since 2017, but updates about its progress have been scant.
The pandemic has kept us home for many months and counting. When the new Pikmin AR game is released, you can get those legs moving again and kickstart a healthier lifestyle with your new virtual companions.
If you can’t wait for the game to be released, you can sign up here to get exclusive closed testing invitations and updates over the next few months.
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Cover image adapted from: @NintendoAmerica and Slyster
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