10 Burning Questions Nintendo Have Left Unanswered For 2019
5. If It's Finished, Where Is Pikmin 4?
Development of the next Pikmin is finished. That's what Shigeru Miyamoto himself said back in 2015. So why isn't it getting announced?
All we've had in the meantime is Hey! PIKMIN for the 3DS. And even that was a 2D puzzle platformer that focused on collecting gems (or sparklium). The real joy of Pikmin is in battling monsters three or four times our size, piecing together spaceship equipment and meeting day-night time limits.
Perhaps the reason for the delay, is in the controls?
Pikmin has had a ton of different control schemes across three consoles. The first two games used the GameCube controller fairly well despite it being a real-time strategy, then the Wii's ports added pointer controls. Number 3 on Wii U had the gamepad, Pro Controller, Wii remotes AND a year after release added touch screen controls, so whether it's Joy-Cons or touch screen, adapting the game's overall feel is not something that should be delaying the next Pikmin. This is not the Switch's fault.
To keep fans satisfied, there's been Pikmin content in Nintendoland (a fairly enjoyable short minigame) and Smash Bros. Ultimate keeps the series in the hearts and minds of gamers with its levels and characters. But it's not the same as the promise of a full-fat Pikmin experience with the chance of new species.
Miyamoto-san, please. Port Pikmin 3 from Wii U or get 4 out the door, pronto!