The alien world ofPikminis alluring to many, and exploring it is one of the main selling points for the franchise.Pikmin 4is offering a new perspective on that world after years of minor releases, and fans are very excited. The last majorPikmintitle,Pikmin 3, came out on the Wii U in 2013, with a promise forPikmin 4coming shortly afterward. The 2017 spin-offHey! Pikmindid little but annoy fans eager for the next numbered entry, andPikmin Bloomwasn’t what many wanted either. After a successful return to thePikminplanet of PNF-404 inPikmin 3 Deluxe, it’s finally time to see what’s on offer inPikmin 4.
As of right now, nobody knows what that might be.Pikmin 4currently looks like a return toPikmin, albeit with a lower camera angle and possibly a new captain. PerhapsPikmin 2’s caves will return, orPikmin Bloomcould see somePikmin 4integration. It may even be feasible forHey! Pikminelements to make it intoPikmin 4.Hey! Pikminis a 2D game set on an unknown planet, although its wildlife is still comparable to PNF-404. This spin-off introduced many new enemies and mechanics, and it would be a waste to leave the better ones behind.
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Centipares, Blubbugs, and Other Environmenal Enemies
Pikminis no stranger to harmless enemies, with various types having existed since the first game. They rewarded strategy and precision by helping the player, and that logic could be extended to exploration itself.Hey! Pikminintroduced the Centipare, Adult Centipare, and Muggonfly to serve as aerial platforms in certain levels, and Flatterchucks as jump pads for an entire Pikmin army. Blubbugs and Puffy Blubbugs were akin to harmless boulders that the player could shove or bounce around for puzzles, but players needed to verify they didn’t trigger any traps. These creatures, or things like them, could all appear inPikmin 4with even more uses in a 3D environment.
New Takes on Bulborbs
Even iconic enemies can benefit fromHey! Pikmin’s additions. The Crumbug is a unique take on the iconic Dwarf Bulborb that walks forward with its mouth open, being stopped in a single hit but also instantly eating any Pikmin left in front of it. Such dangerous traits found in a horde would be a good test of the player’s skills. There could beeven more unique Bulborb variantslike the Fireflap Bulborb, which is both aflame and airborne, and the Eye-Stalker Bulbeel, which jumps out of underwater holes.Hey! Pikminmakes it clear that Bulborb and Breadbug families still have lots of room to evolve.
Hey! Pikmin’s Interesting Bosses
Each of the nine worlds inHey! Pikminis capped off by a boss fight. Several of these introduced concepts that would be interesting to see in a regularPikmingame. The last of these is the Berserk Leech Hydroe, which can fuse with other plants and animals to create bizarre organic beasts on par withPikmin 2’s giant mechanical spiders. The Electric Cottonade is a rare electrical boss that demands understanding of Yellow Pikmin’s higher throw arcs, and the Luring Slurker introduced ice powers to thePikminfranchise. Finding unusual monsters like these on PNF-404 could lead to considerably more varied fights.
Filling Out Pikmin’s Elements
A common theme with interestingHey! Pikminenemies is that many of them are built around elemental hazards. It may have been on to something there, as a lot of Pikmin types feel like they don’t have enough challenges designed for them. More instances like hitting an Electripede with Yellow Pikmin to light up a room would be great. EvenWhite Pikmin can get in on the action, withHey! Pikminincluding many poison-based enemies such as Shooting Spiners, Sporegrubs, and Spornets. Hopefully, Nintendo will take notice of the most interesting parts ofHey! Pikmin, and can carry on the highlights toPikmin 4.
Pikmin 4will be released in 2023 for Nintendo Switch.
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