Even though there are mild problems, Nintendo's sequel is a welcome sight for the Wii U.
But Pikmin 3 as a whole remains a genuine, likable experience, mainly because of the Pikmin-control system. Hurling these little guys at enemies and objectives is a cinch, no matter what type of controls you use. The Wii remote and Nunchuk are best, though the Gamepad works wonders as well – and you can play off-TV if you prefer. There's a lot to see and do as well, and some puzzles are purely ingenious when it comes to finding a resolution for them. That's the Miyamoto design for you – it hardly fails at all here, save for that pesky final level.
The game has replay value galore as well, including unlockable time trials for each level, along with multiplayer games (local only, but Bingo Battle is good fun) and mission mode. It'll take you some time to get through the main game, though, so enjoy the ride.
Pikmin 3 also shows what the Wii U can do with its processing power with the right team behind it. The visuals are luscious and beautiful, the best in the series to date – mainly due to the high-definition push, but still something. The new Stone Pikmin are just as much fun to watch and use as the regular ones, and the animations are delightful. The audio is good too, with upbeat music and cute little Pikmin effects.
If you weren't a fan of Pikmin before, this game probably won't sway you. But there's something magical about Pikmin 3 that makes it easy to recommend to Wii U owners, especially those that have been looking to end their drought in style. Wait no more, because this thing has sprouted beautifully.
Score: 8.5 / 10
