Nintendo has a reputation for quality, and it rarely disappoints. Its emphasis on enjoyable, family friendly games and easy, streamlined mechanics makes most any game it releases worth playing.
Such is the case with Nintendo’s newest addition to its DS game library. Hey! Pikmin, takes you through an adorable world of colorful creatures and treacherous elements. The 2D platformer puts you in the role of Olimar as you gather fuel—in the form of Sparklium—to power your downed vessel. The story takes very little time to establish the goals and obstacles of the game, forcing the player to sit through a short and simple exchange between Captain Olimar and his ship.
The game world is conveniently populated by obedient little Pikmin, who universally respond to your whistle, and after a short tutorial on the very simple controls—all you need is your stylus and the circlepad—you are ready to begin playing.
True to the series, this is real-time strategy with less emphasis on strategy and more on simple and enjoyable gameplay. It feels more like a platform adventurer as you traverse levels with a design that is familiar to any Nintendo fan and build up your army of colorful companions. Unlike others in the series, this Pikmin adventure doesn’t have a time constraint, so dawdle and explore all you want through the charming side-scroller. Few challenges await you, and the game should only take a few hours to beat, but for someone looking for simple enjoyment this game will deliver.
Captain Olimar doesn’t have any heroic goals—he is on a mission to save himself, pure and simple. The lives of the little Pikmin that you hurl at enemies, objects, and treasures are expendable—to Olimar at least. You will find yourself instantly attached to these curious little dudes, and each tiny soul that floats into the sky due to your mistakes will hurt a little.
This will likely not be the case for every player, however, so can also choose to be the most reckless commander in the world and wantonly sacrifice the lives of your tiny friends. The game won’t let you continue alone, and at least some of your Pikmin will regenerate. Choosing to play this way may mean leaving behind a treasure or two though, since they require a certain number of Pikmin to transport them. If you finish the level with all 20 followers in tow, you get a useless but satisfying golden trophy to mark your accomplishment, and all the rescued Pikmin will join their friends at Pikmin Park to hunt for extra Sparklium.
For many, the charming design and bumbling energy of the Pikmin will make them more lovable than the main character. You can choose between types of Pikmin when more than one variety is among your little trail of followers, but choose carefully: Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. If you accidentally toss any but a blue Pikmin into the water, you will be helpless as you watch your loyal little guys drown. The same is the case for electricity, which will kill any but yellow Pikmin, and flame, which only red can endure. There are two other types of Pikmin as well: the blocky and tough rock variety and a tiny winged version that can carry you through the sky.
Try not to panic and throw all of your Pikmin at once, or leave yourself vulnerable to attack. Without his trusty little plant creatures, Captain Olimar is useless and rather underwhelming, and as you get deeper into the game, there are challenges that cannot be surpassed without multiple types of Pikmin in tow. Still, the puzzles and enemies are easily bested by even the most casual gamer, so those looking for any real level of difficulty will find this game lacking.
Perhaps the unlockable amiibo levels are where the challenge really lies, but without any cards or figures to scan that mystery will not be solved in the course of this review. The story does not delve deep; however, there are short cutscenes with the Pikmin that aim to give the tiny little creatures more personality and to prepare you for the perils ahead.
If you want a deeper glimpse into the world and tiny space captain, each creature and treasure that you encounter is added to a logbook with comments, and sometimes ramblings, from Captain Olimar. The Easter eggs throughout the world are a delightful distraction, particularly for die-hard Nintendo fans. The discoverable Mario Bros cartridge, titled by Olimar as “Inevitable Tragedy” is just one of many.
The repetitive but diverse levels are colorful and conceal many a secret areas in their cracks and crevices. The easy-to-learn controls won’t trip up young or unpracticed gamers, and the monsters are classic Pikmin. It is a great game to pass the time, but the lack of any pressing, long-term goal does not inspire players to proceed with any sense of urgency. Fans of playful platformers will love the puzzle focused nature of this game, despite the occasional annoyances of repetitive music and level design.
If you are seeking a challenge, look elsewhere, but for anyone after a fun and simple jaunt into a classic that lives up to its predecessors, this game is the perfect fit. Hey! Pikmin in 2D is available for Nintendo 2DS and 3DS on July 28.
Score: 4/5
Disclosure: A 2DS copy of Hey! Pikmin was provided by Nintendo for review.