Following its announcement last week, Pikmin's upcoming mobile AR game has officially released in beta over in Singapore, allowing players to hop into the game before the rest of the world. Thanks to VGC, the early release has brought to light an array of new gameplay details, with the publication getting an early look at the beta and revealing exactly how the app works.
According to the outlet, the game centers around planting Pikmin seeds which are grown through "step energy," which can be generated as the player walks around. Eventually, they'll be able to grow and harvest these Pikmin, giving them names and adding them to their small roster of colorful characters. The publication claims there are currently 7 types of Pikmin to acquire, ranging from basic red, blue, and yellow variants to "Winged Pikmin" and "Pikmin Flowers."
It seems these characters will be viewable on the player's phone as they walk around and are able to interact with things in the environment, carrying fruit to the player which can be turned into "nectar," a resource that allows them to grow flowers. Other aspects of the game range from sending Pikmin on expeditions where they can collect items and postcards to a daily logbook, which charts their progress through an "animated summary." The game generally sounds like a great way for players to get their steps in while being joined by some of Nintendo's most colorful characters.
For those who missed the announcement the other day, the new Pikmin game is being worked on by the creators of Pokemon GO and is the beginning of a partnership between Niantic and Nintendo focused on AR games. According to a press release concerning the new mobile app, the goal is to create experiences that "combine Niantic's real-world AR technology with Nintendo’s beloved characters," starting with the Pikmin franchise. The IP feels like a natural fit for AR and is definitely in the right hands, with Pokemon GO becoming a global sensation that still boasts a massive fanbase to this day.
Pikmin has been enjoying a recent resurgence in the gaming scene as of late due to the release of Pikmin 3 Deluxe, which was a significant success for the company. It was the fastest-selling iteration of the series in Japan, debuting at the top of the company's sales charts at release. Hopefully, the remastered port and this upcoming mobile tie-in lead to an all-new entry in the iconic Nintendo franchise, with the series not debuting a mainline release since Pikmin 3 first hit Wii U in 2013.
Pikmin is launching on mobile devices later this year.