Destructoid Ranks All Pikmin Games

Indulging in the World of Pikmin

In all honesty, I have no logical explanation for the overwhelming affection I have for the Pikmin series. On the surface, the notion of a salad army scurrying about to collect rocket parts doesn’t sound particularly thrilling. However, when Nintendo introduced me to Pikmin back in 2001, I was immediately captivated. My new GameCube hungered for more, and I was more than willing to oblige.

Nowhere has my dedication to the game been put to the test quite like during the wait for Pikmin 4. Shigeru Miyamoto teased us with its existence in 2015, and Nintendo remained tight-lipped about it until recently. The good news is that Pikmin 4 is finally becoming a reality, and its release is imminent.

So, as I impatiently await its arrival at my local game shop, I thought it would be fitting to reflect on the series thus far. Once I get my hands on the new game, I’ll revisit this list and update it accordingly. But for now, here’s my ranking of all the Pikmin games.

5. Pikmin Bloom

I must admit, I can’t fault Niantic for their continuous efforts to expand on their success with Pokemon Go. However, Pikmin Bloom feels like a demonstration of their lack of innovation. It’s as though they forcefully shoehorned the Pikmin concept into Niantic’s real-world exploration format.

That being said, it’s not terrible. That’s the thing about this list; none of the games here are bad. Some just hold more value for the franchise than others. Pikmin Bloom would require significant improvements to truly be worthwhile, but I don’t see that happening.

4. Hey! Pikmin

Hey! Pikmin is a rather unremarkable attempt to adapt the series’ formula into a side-scrolling format. To put it simply, it’s not bad, but it feels like Nintendo focused more on promoting Amiibo integration than pushing the series forward with innovation.

When Hey! Pikmin was announced, we were eagerly awaiting news about Pikmin 4. Unfortunately, this 3DS entry wasn’t the news we were hoping for. Its lackluster and unoffensive nature makes it easy to overlook when considering the series as a whole.

3. Pikmin 2

The first sequel to the GameCube original undoubtedly expanded the game’s scope by introducing new elements, but it ended up feeling bloated and betraying the charm of the first game. Pikmin 2 brought a multitude of treasures, new Pikmin types, and multiple captains, only to confine them to underground environments.

The majority of Pikmin 2 takes place in underground labyrinthine caves. While the gameplay still revolves around finding treasure and returning it to your base, the focus shifts from survival and puzzle-solving to straight-up combat in these maze-like caverns. Unlike the first game, Pikmin 2 doesn’t allow you to develop a personal attachment to your tiny carrot-people; instead, they become mere expendable resources.

While I find Pikmin 2 to be the most bloated and less human-like entry in the series, not everyone will despise its different direction as much as I do. Some may perceive it as the most challenging and comprehensive installment.

2. Pikmin

Hot on the heels of the GameCube’s release, Pikmin served as a perfect demonstration of the console’s capabilities. The notion of controlling a hundred tiny carrot-people would have been unthinkable on the N64. Nevertheless, its technical prowess is not what’s crucial today. What matters is that it remains an outstanding game.

Nintendo took the concept of overseeing a hundred diligent workers and explored unforeseen avenues. It’s a survival game that defies the genre’s conventions. You nurture sentient vegetables and strive to keep them alive while recovering parts of your spaceship. Although subsequent sequels expanded and reshaped the series, the core essence always remained intact, proving that Pikmin got it right from the start.

1. Pikmin 3

I could simply state that Pikmin 3 introduced the amazing character of Brittany, and you would understand why it’s the top choice. Brittany is simply the best.

If that doesn’t suffice, Pikmin 3 represents the series’ mechanics at their finest. It effectively utilizes multiple captains and rewards their coordination. It doesn’t revert to the three-day time limit of the first game but instead incorporates a supply mechanic that encourages efficient decision-making. Moreover, it boasts impeccable pacing once you get past the tutorial sections about Pikmin behavior.

When it launched on the Wii U in 2013, it became the first game for the system that occupied my time until the battery drained from the tea tray controller. Furthermore, when the Deluxe edition arrived on the Switch, my husband and I indulged in its added co-op mode. We still find pleasure in engaging in Bingo Battle matches or reliving the joy of playing as Brittany. While there isn’t a single poor Pikmin game, Pikmin 3 reigns supreme as the pinnacle of the series.

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Denial of responsibility! Samachar Central is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.