Pikmin 3
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Game & Wario, Wonderful 101 in first half of 2013
There are more Wii U games coming, sometime early this year. Along with a reconfirmed "first half of 2013" date for Wii Fit U, Nintendo put minigame collection Game & Wario and Platinum's crowd-control action game The Wonderful 101 in the same release window today.Pikmin 3's release window became less specific. The last we heard, it was due sometime in the spring; now, it's also in the first half. That's functionally the same thing, we suppose.%Gallery-176613%
Pikmin 3 to spring up on Wii U in spring 2013
Pikmin 3, one of Nintendo's biggest Wii U titles, is slated to arrive on the new console this spring. The news comes via the latest Iwata Asks column, which centers around the Wii U GamePad. The discussion itself really has nothing to do with Pikmin 3, though the release window is mentioned in a note.We enjoyed our time with the game at E3, particularly the more interactive environment and beautiful presentation.
Wii U tech won't circumvent used-game sales; first-party titles in 1080p
Nintendo hasn't incorporated any features in the Wii U to discourage used-game sales. Nintendo's Executive VP of Sales and Marketing, Scott Moffitt, told Gamespot at E3 that Nintendo isn't overtly concerned with combating used-game sales: "I don't know if we have a formal position on used-game sales. It is a reality in the marketplace," Moffitt said. "We're not trying to circumvent that." He didn't mention any specifics about online passes or DLC in Nintendo titles.The Wii U's online strategy begins with the Miiverse, as Moffitt describes it, and Nintendo is focused on using its online capabilities to enhance social features, gameplay and "the connectedness gamers feel with one another."Online multiplayer is a part of Nintendo's online strategy for Wii U, but not its entire focus. "Online multiplayer is one part of it, and certainly Wii U will enable the same online multiplayer features that have become popular in some of the competing consoles, but that's really one piece of the online gaming network," Moffitt said. "Our vision is broader."Apparently Nintendo's vision isn't broad enough to include online multiplayer for Pikmin 3 – though perhaps that's a case of not seeing the forest for the Pikmin.The Wii U's output ranges from 480i to 1080p, and Moffitt said he thinks Nintendo's first-party titles will run at 1080p.
Pikmin 3 lacking online multiplayer because ... there are a bunch of Pikmin
Nintendo's upcoming Wii U console will be the company's most internet-enabled yet. Its Miiverse intends to greatly expand on the Wii's Mii Plaza, its Friend Codes will be "a lot simpler" than previous versions of Nintendo's online buddy system, and many of its retail games will also be available digitally. In that context, it's hard to understand why the Wii U's flagship first-party title, Pikmin 3, won't include online multiplayer."In the situation of Pikmin, for example, since you would have lots of individual, small creatures, the Pikmin, whose every movement and location is going to be really important in the game, it would be very difficult to sync up over an internet connection," Nintendo design lead Shigeru Miyamoto told IGN in a recent interview. While Miyamoto acknowledges that games like, say, Mario Kart Wii were online-enabled, it apparently wouldn't be possible with Pikmin 3 on Wii U.Mario Kart worked, he said, because Nintendo was able to make up for any dropped frames over an internet connection. The issues with Pikmin 3 going online are different, and apparently insurmountable. "Unfortunately, no online multiplayer for Pikmin 3," he said."But the co-op local multiplayer is really fun."
Our miniature first look at Pikmin 3
The Pikmin 3 demo available on the show floor didn't directly indicate how the Wii U's new controller would improve the experience. In this demo, the screen on the new WiiPad was used for an overhead map, which was nice, but did little to augment the gameplay other than to show me where it would be taking place. In the final game, you'll be able to do other things -- like control four leaders at once, all in charge of groups of Pikmin, but that wasn't present in this version. The limited nature of the demo had the side effect of being an effective sales pitch for the Wii Pikmin 2 port out today, as playing Pikmin with the Wiimote and Nunchuk is totally great.Even though I didn't get to experience the new controls, I did see new graphics and the new Rock Pikmin. The Wii U's HD output amplifies all the Pikmin-ness of the series: the forest looks more lush and beautiful (and still preternaturally clean), the Pikmin look even tinier and more ant-like, and there's a nice subtle tilt-shift effect to drive home the "tiny" look.
Pikmin 3 media gets away from the hustle and bustle of the big city
Living in the big city is great and all, but sometimes you just need to get away to the country. Pikmin 3 will offer lush locales to do just that – though the forest may be tranquil, it is not without its own unique set of dangers, seen in this trailer and screens direct from E3.%Gallery-157147%
Pikmin 3 coming to the Wii U
Pikmin 3 is hitting the Wii U, Nintendo announced at its E3 presentation today.Miyamoto "definitely" wanted to create Pikmin 3 for Wii U, he said. He showed off Rock Pikmin, who are black, geometric-looking characters that Olimar can throw to break things with.Pikmin 3 is controllable from the WiiPad and using MotionPlus technology, aiming where the Rock Pikmin are thrown with an on-screen reticle, for example. One player will be able to control four leaders using the WiiPad.
Miyamoto confirms Pikmin 3 development 'well underway'
The Official Nintendo Magazine UK is hanging out at tonight's BAFTA Video Game awards, and has punched into its Twitter account that not only did it get to talk to one Shigeru Miyamoto, but that he's confirmed Pikmin 3 is in development and "well under way." Over a year ago, the game was rumored to be released a week-and-a-half from now, but we'll presume it's not quite that far along in development. Still, good to hear that the game is still going on, considering that we've only seen the barest sprouts of information about it so far. Maybe Miyamoto should give his team a 30-day time limit within which to finish the game, and see how they feel about that.
Nintendo finally admits E3 was a disappointment
During an interview with VGChartz, Nintendo's resident wrist-hurting, Shaun White-introducing marketing lady, Cammie Dunaway, commented that Nintendo's E3 showing was a bit of a disappointment. You don't say?"I would say the message is we were disappointed with our performance at E3," commented Dunaway. "There were titles like Wario which we think will be really fun titles that we should have show cased." Yes, we'd have to agree. It was certainly the best game we played at the show. But what about this Pikmin 3 business? "We were excited that Mr. Miyamoto made the commitment that Pikmin is coming," she said. "It would have been nice if we could have said that on stage. But, we think it was a good recognition for us that we care for our core fans, and not just the new people who are now discovering Nintendo." E3 2008 was a pretty big deal. We had lots of hands-on impressions, as well as new screens and video to talk about. Check out our live impressions from Nintendo's keynote here, as well as some of the big news right here.
