Pikmin 3 Deluxe Review (Nintendo Switch)

Command a capable crop of tiny creatures and explore a hostile planet in this exciting blend of action and strategy. Seek out valuable items, solve puzzles, and overcome powerful creatures in a richly detailed world full of surprises!

Pros:

• Decent graphics.
• 6.5GB download size.
• Badges-own in-game achievements.
• Four modes-Story, Mission, Side stories, and bingo battle.
• Supports all controllers.
• Gyro function-on/off.
• Minimap/radar-fixed or rotates.
• Basic info-tutorials with text and video.
• Can skip cutscenes.
• Some in-game tutorials.
• The game (levels) are split into days.
• Can replay days.
• Handy hints button.
• Can change settings and controls from the pause menu at any time.
• Rescue other leaders and swap between them as they have different commands available.
• Day/night cycle and when night hits any stray Pikmin will be lost.
• You can split leaders and Pikmin so you can do multiple tasks at once.
• Unlock new Pikmin with new abilities as you play.
• Pellets-taken from plants, return them to the onion to grow more Pikmin. Match the Pikmin and pellet color for more.
• Pikmin will do as commanded and do the task over and over until complete, you can grow more and swap between the different kinds.
• Throw Pikmin at enemies to knock them out, return them to the onion for bonus Pikmin.
• Onion-creates a safe area for Pikmin and this is also where you drop pellets, fruits, items and grow/pluck more Pikmin.
• Stand by your ship for a handy call all Pikmin back to your command.
• The minimap will rotate with you and show icons, Pikmin, and if anyone is in trouble.
• Puzzle elements throughout.
• Gorgeous locations.
• Full camera controls.
• You always see your cursor.
• Saves between each level.
• Cutesy cutscenes.
• World map level select.
• Fruit-find in levels and return to onions so you can turn into food for the crew.
• Piklopedia-fills in with creatures you have discovered and contains a short bio and video clip of them along with stats like where to find them and how many you have ended.
• Exploration notes-find these in levels and they give hints, tips, and sometimes explanations.
• You have one day on a level at a time.
• Koppad-your PDA with all the knowledge and stats including the overall map.
• Lock-on button for everything you can interact with or throw Pikmin at which is really handy.
• Hold down the call button to a bigger radius.
• Numbers will pop to show how many Pikmin are needed to smash something or to carry fruit and items.

Cons:

• A lot to take in.
• Takes a long time to get used to the cursor as it’s very twitchy and unpredictable.
• Slow starter.
• Feels very hand holdy.
• Levels take too long for this to be a game that’s safe to play on short commutes.