New Play Control! Pikmin

 Wii
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 60 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 60
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 60
  3. Negative: 3 out of 60
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  1. Rubbermade
    Mar 27, 2009
    10
    This is a fantastic game. It is a remake so how can anyone criticize it on having bad graphics or no new content or for not being Pikmin 3? New Play Control Pikimin is better than the GCN Pikmin. I can see now why people claim that the Wii has no games rated highly on this site and its because the critics are bias against the Wii and closed minded.
  2. luisflopez
    May 31, 2020
    9
    In this year 2020, I decided to finally play one of Shigeru Miyamoto's last inventions. Pikmin is a real-time strategy game where you take control of Captain Olimar and command an army of Pikmin: half-plant, half-insect creatures that are very funny and adorable. The term real-time strategy might sound intimidating to some, but being a Nintendo game, Pikmin is very accesible and easy toIn this year 2020, I decided to finally play one of Shigeru Miyamoto's last inventions. Pikmin is a real-time strategy game where you take control of Captain Olimar and command an army of Pikmin: half-plant, half-insect creatures that are very funny and adorable. The term real-time strategy might sound intimidating to some, but being a Nintendo game, Pikmin is very accesible and easy to pick up.

    The premise of the game consists in gathering 30 missing ship parts spread across the 5 overworld areas. However, what makes Pikmin special is that every day has a time limit of around 15 minutes, and you only get a total of 30 days before it's game over. Naturally, 30 days is plenty of time to gather everything, so time really isn't so much of a worry. Instead, the 30 days system serves as a fun incentive to replay the game and see how fast you can finish collecting everything.

    The fact that every day is time-limited causes some really exciting and tense situations, because if you don't gather all your pikmin before the day ends, these get left behing and die. Pikmin dying in all sorts of cruel (but hilarious) ways is also a part of what makes the series special. Pikmin is a pretty addicting game, more so than I expected.

    The only significant flaw is that the AI of the Pikmin can be a little ridiculous. Sometimes, they'll simply do zero effort to avoid death. Crossing a bridge and having half of your Pikmin fall off and drown can be really annoying. Luckily, this Wii version implemented the ability to go back to any previously played day, as if they were save states in an emulator. Another negative thing that could be said about Pikmin is that the game leans considerably on the easy side, which could hurt its replay value a bit.

    The main campaign took me around 10 hours, and there's also a challenge mode, which consists of growing as many Pikmin as you can in a single day. This mode is kind of pointless and disappointing. It would have been much more interesting if the game awarded you for reaching certain numbers (like a gold, silver and bronze rank, or something like that). As it is now, you're only competing against your own high scores.

    The overall art direction, visuals and music are everything you would expect from a Nintendo game. For their time, the sceneries in Pikmin looked pretty great, and they are still pleasant to look at today. Captain Olimar is a surprisingly interesting character narrative-wise, and I always enjoyed every piece of text the game offered me. As for the soundtrack, it is pretty short, but it has some gems like The Forest of Hope. I really love that track, it's like the essence of Pikmin condensed into a song.

    In all, I had a good time with Pikmin. It is a surprisingly fun, addicting and charming little game, which started what is now a cult series for many people, and it isn't hard to see why. It's different to every other Nintendo series I've played, but extremely familiar at the same time. I recommend it to every GameCube and Wii owner.

    Score: 8.5
    -    … Expand
  3. Paratroopa
    Mar 18, 2009
    10
    Recently, I once created a discussion named "Mario Tennis Wii is this? NO! IT CAN'T BE!!!" and that discussion is about New Play Control! games shouldn't come out. Actually, I don't have Pikmin on Gamecube, so I'll give it a try. When, I played it, the graphics are slightly improved. The soundtrack? Awesome. The gameplay? Well, I heard the Gamecube version is quite Recently, I once created a discussion named "Mario Tennis Wii is this? NO! IT CAN'T BE!!!" and that discussion is about New Play Control! games shouldn't come out. Actually, I don't have Pikmin on Gamecube, so I'll give it a try. When, I played it, the graphics are slightly improved. The soundtrack? Awesome. The gameplay? Well, I heard the Gamecube version is quite frustrating because it's hard to aim. But the Wii controls make it easier. Like that, you are free to throw your Pikmins in any direction you want! What's more? Well, there's a day-to-day save functioning. You can restart the day you saved and start over. Cool! Overall, "New Play Control! Pikmin" is a great game. It proved me wrong about New Play Control! games which I think is horrible. Oops. There's a "New Play Control! Donkey Kong Jungle Beat" and "New Play Control! PIkmin 2"! See ya!… Expand
  4. RB
    Mar 10, 2009
    8
    Excellent with the Wii controls, it's as though the game was made for the Wii. While there's nothing new, they made minor changes (such as the Bulborbs no longer roaring when they die, which I am very disappointed at) and the Wii controls like I said are awesome.
  5. Sabbalabba
    Feb 25, 2011
    10
    Ah, Pikmin. one of the best RTS series of all time.
    it's so great. it's mixes fighting and scavenger hunting so well that My brain should be splattered on the wall from an awesomeness explosion. Why that hasn't happened yet, I'll never know.
  6. kasparius
    Jul 10, 2014
    9
    Fantastic game, not just a port, this version allows you to restart your day or go back in times a few days back. So the obnoxious time limit is not as grueling at all here. On top of that the wiimote seems to have been made for Pikmin, and this is coming from someone who does not like the wiimote one little bit. A wonderful first installment for one of the best series Myamoto and NintendoFantastic game, not just a port, this version allows you to restart your day or go back in times a few days back. So the obnoxious time limit is not as grueling at all here. On top of that the wiimote seems to have been made for Pikmin, and this is coming from someone who does not like the wiimote one little bit. A wonderful first installment for one of the best series Myamoto and Nintendo ever created. Here's to many more Pikmin games.… Expand
  7. DiogoOliveira
    Apr 30, 2018
    8
    O jogo em si e incrível, tem coisas que me deixaram extremamente chateado com o game, a contagem de dia e tempo e o controle, o controle confuso que no inicio te deixa apreensivo, nada que 3 horas ou mais de jogatina não resolva, mas isso pode afasta veteranos, eu mesmo estava a ponto de abandona o game, ate pega o jeito e me divertir muito. A questão dos dias corridos nos da uma afliçãoO jogo em si e incrível, tem coisas que me deixaram extremamente chateado com o game, a contagem de dia e tempo e o controle, o controle confuso que no inicio te deixa apreensivo, nada que 3 horas ou mais de jogatina não resolva, mas isso pode afasta veteranos, eu mesmo estava a ponto de abandona o game, ate pega o jeito e me divertir muito. A questão dos dias corridos nos da uma aflição na hora do exploração você fica sem tempo e sem paciência na hora que ver que o dia esta acabando, dando ao jogador um ritmo nada decente. Você que gosta de jogos de exploração fuja desse, seu tempo e limitado, seus companheiros (Pikmins) são atrapalhados beirando a crianças de 2 anos, esse jogo requer habilidade de manobra do tempo. por fim e um jogo bom com erros tosco que deveria ser repensado,… Expand
  8. Kacgames
    Dec 13, 2020
    8
    Great game! R.I.P to all the pikmin I killed cuz I didn't know how to kill the enemies
  9. TheLinkgirl
    Jul 3, 2023
    2
    When I think about the Pikmin series, I'm left perplexed. No other series quite manages to make me feel simultaneously stressed beyond belief and bored to tears. For me, this game was my first experience of the Pikmin series, and I never did care enough to push through the last couple of levels; there was simply too much risk and not enough reward for me to justify trying to reach theWhen I think about the Pikmin series, I'm left perplexed. No other series quite manages to make me feel simultaneously stressed beyond belief and bored to tears. For me, this game was my first experience of the Pikmin series, and I never did care enough to push through the last couple of levels; there was simply too much risk and not enough reward for me to justify trying to reach the end.

    Experiencing later Pikmin games has let me come to the conclusion that what I ultimately dislike about these games most is the gameplay. Nothing in these games leaves me feeling satisfied, and most everything feels like its more there to waste time in a game that has only a limited amount. Games such as Outer Wilds and Majora's Mask got around this issue by having limited time, but letting the player experience time looping, meaning the threat of the end was ever present, but never destroyed the player's curiosity and interest in the world. Conversely, Pikmin goes for a longer time that doesn't give the player a second chance, meaning if you aren't playing optimally, you're playing wrong.

    These are simply my takeaways from my experience of Pikmin. I'm aware this series has its fans, and I'm glad they enjoy it. However, try as I might, I simply can't find much fun in this game or the series as a whole.    … Expand
  10. Jaydanmcgr
    Nov 24, 2021
    10
    Wonderful game, a very well made game for its time. It’s still fun to play even to this date!
  11. CyberPhoenix1
    Aug 9, 2023
    0
    The Good
    • The areas are very well-designed along with wonderful music and visuals.
    • The progression is very good. • Olimar is a wonderful character and full of charm. • The quality of life added from Pikmin 2 is very nice. The Bad • The Pikmin AI is jank. They tend to trip and get stuck on things, meaning you’ll have to suddenly stop to help them. • The Wii port is fairly    The Good
    • The areas are very well-designed along with wonderful music and visuals.
    • The progression is very good.
    • Olimar is a wonderful character and full of charm.
    • The quality of life added from Pikmin 2 is very nice.

    The Bad
    • The Pikmin AI is jank. They tend to trip and get stuck on things, meaning you’ll have to suddenly stop to help them.
    • The Wii port is fairly glitchy. Sometimes the numbers on the UI will be wrong and Pikmin can clip into the floor by going under bridges.

    Overall
    Pikmin 1 still holds up as a game I want to come back to, even all these years later.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Best Wii Game of 2009
39
#39 Most Discussed Wii Game of 2009
49
#49 Most Shared Wii Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Eurogamer
    70
    Pikmin 2 is also due a New Play Control! reissue this year, and it's a better game in every respect. It's longer and more sophisticated, with more varied Pikmin and enemy types; it has co-operative and competitive multiplayer; it has randomised caves with finite Pikmin numbers, ideal for the game's challenge mode; it has no time limit.
    Read full review
  2. Nintendo Gamer
    80
    A cynical reissue to exploit the game-starved hardcore on Wii? This is far too complicated for your mum to play. Still, it's a genuine (prequel to a) classic.
    Read full review
  3. Official Nintendo Magazine UK
    86
    It's not as good as its sequel but Pikmin is still a great game and is essential to those who haven't played it.
    Read full review
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