Pikmin 3 released on the Nintendo Wii U in 2013 and has been lauded as a great game by the people who actually played it. However, the Wii U was an underperforming system that sold only about 13.5 million units worldwide (as opposed to well over 100 million units for the original Wii). Because of that, a large number of people have never played it at all. Thankfully, Nintendo announced today that it will be releasing Pikmin 3 Deluxe on the Switch at the end of October. Fans may be eager for a Pikmin 4, which is in development, but right now the timing is much better for an updated Pikmin 3.
Other than the obvious reason that Pikmin 3 Deluxe will give players who skipped the Wii U a chance to try the game, there are plenty of reasons the timing for the game is perfect. First, Nintendo has had a bit of a lukewarm 2020 so far, despite the success of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, with fans eager for news and rumors of a Nintendo Direct surfacing almost every week. Beyond August, the roster of popular Nintendo games is pretty much non-existent. Announcing a deluxe version of Pikmin 3 is perfect for easing some fans’ qualms about the fall line-up while also garnering interest in an established series.
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The release of Pikmin 3 Deluxe is also a way for Nintendo to test the interest levels for the series. Pikmin has never been Nintendo’s hottest property, despite vocal fans asking for a new sequel, so this is a perfect way for Nintendo to look at sales figures and general interest. Considering how well the Switch is selling, they’re also looking to introduce the series to a new batch of gamers before doing anything with a Pikmin 4.
What Pikmin’s Deluxe Edition Includes
As for those people who’ve already played Pikmin 3, the deluxe version includes all the DLC from the original and also offers new content: side missions with Olimar and Louie, and multiple difficulty modes that could appeal to a wide range of age groups. This new content also means some gamers will be buying the game again, which also helps Nintendo amp up their revenue.
Pikmin 4 has been in development for a while, and fans of the series are understandably excited for it. Even though news has remained scarce, it’s a hotly anticipated game for a core group of Nintendo fans. Still, releasing Pikmin 3 Deluxe ahead of the newest entry seems like a smart move from Nintendo. Will it pay off? Only time will tell.
