Highlights
- Pikmin Bloom offers a charming way to spend time outside with AR gameplay, but lacks the depth and gameplay found in other Pikmin games on Nintendo consoles.
- Hey! Pikmin for the 3DS didn't leave a lasting impression due to its late release and lack of depth, but still remains a good option for Pikmin fans.
- Pikmin 3 is a satisfying and improved entry in the series, with expanded gameplay elements, new story elements, and a multiplayer mode, although the reintroduction of a time limit can make completing tasks more stressful.
Pikmin is far from Nintendo's most popular or highest-selling franchise, but over the years it has built one of the company's most lively fan communities. The series began all the way back in 2001 for the Nintendo GameCube, centering on a lost astronaut named Olimar who befriends and becomes the leader of a mysterious race of plane creatures known as Pikmin.
Although every Pikmin game operates with the same gameplay and premise, with players controlling armies of Pikmin to help re-assemble their ship and survive on unknown planets, many fans are divided on which entries are the best of the best. Though there's fun to be had in all six Pikmin games, some are clearly better than others.
6 Pikmin Bloom
This spin-off of the Pikmin series was released for iOS and Android in 2021, from the same company behind Pokemon Go. Like their other Nintendo mobile game, the game utilizes AR to encourage players to go out into the real world to grow and feed their partner Pikmin. Over time, players can participate in multiplayer events and collect costumes for their Pikmin.
Although it's a charming, fun way to spend time outside, Pikmin Bloom doesn't have a lot of gameplay to match up to the other Pikmin games on Nintendo consoles. The experience of playing it can also vary depending on location and available Wi-Fi services, which can really sour the adventure for some players, though others will get a lot of mileage out of it.
5 Hey! Pikmin
The Pikmin franchise officially transitioned to handheld in 2017 with the 3DS title Hey! Pikmin. However, the gameplay varies quite a lot from the series' other installments, with players controlling Captain Olimar as they navigate 2D environments, utilizing their Pikmin to adventure through levels, attack nearby enemies, and collect fuel for Olimar's ship.
Although it remains a great option on the 3DS for Pikmin fans, this title didn't leave an impression on many people due to coming out late into the console's lifespan. Many reviewers felt the game lacked the depth of other Pikmin games, with some calling it boring. Others felt that it was a simple and relaxing adaptation of the Pikmin franchise for the 3DS's capabilities.
4 Pikmin 2
Released on the GameCube three years after the original game, Pikmin 2 expanded the franchise's gameplay by introducing a new leader: Louie, the co-worker of Olimar, who players can control simultaneously in single-player or with a friend in the separate multiplayer mode.
Pikmin 2 was an improvement on the first game, thanks to its removal of the 30-day time limit that made the original more stressful. However, the lack of urgency to the game made it too relaxing at times. While all Pikmin games are at least good, Pikmin 2 lacks the charm of the original and the quality of life of its sequels.
3 Pikmin 3
Pikmin 3 was released on the Wii U in 2013, though it was originally announced in 2008 with plans to be released on the Wii. The delays were well worth it, as the game expands beautifully on many of the core gameplay elements from the first two. Now, players control three different characters at one time, cultivating fruit for their starving home planet.
Though the original game for Wii U was already strong, its re-release on Nintendo Switch is even better, featuring new story elements, a multiplayer story mode, and expanded difficulty settings. Overall, the game is a lot more satisfying than the series' previous two entries, though its re-introduction of the daytime limit can make completing tasks way more stressful.
2 Pikmin 4
The latest installment in the Pikmin franchise is Pikmin 4 for the Nintendo Switch, which transitions the series from top-down strategy to third-person exploration. Alongside the introduction of new Pikmin types, the game also allows players to partner up with Oatchi, a dog who assists in discovering items, battling enemies, and solving puzzles.
Pikmin 4 also contains many new types of missions, including a nighttime tower defense mode and a competitive multiplayer mode. It's pretty close to Pikmin 3 in quality, though many fans like the removal of the day limit yet again, allowing for a much more relaxing playthrough while still having enough of a challenge to not bore players.
1 Pikmin
Although many of the Pikmin games released recently are nearly perfect, it's hard to beat the charm of the original GameCube title from 2001. Though it's far from flawless due to sometimes aged control schemes, the game is shorter than its sequels, allowing for endless replayability, and for some, the potential to speed-run the game if you're clever enough.
Overall, the first Pikmin game deserves credit for establishing the atmosphere and tone of the subsequent releases. It has the simplest gameplay, the most charming main character, the best music, and most of all, it gives players the best idea of what the franchise is and always will be. It doesn't get more Pikmin-esque than the very first one.