Plucking Pikmin from the GameCube | Pikmin 1 & 2

I’ve been looking forward to playing the Pikmin 1 and 2 ever since I finished Pikmin 3. I wanted to go back and play the originals before getting ahold of the fourth game. Being someone who loves to have the physical versions of games to showcase on my shelfs (I’m a hoarder… it’s beginning to be a problem), I had to wait to play both games.

Pikmin I

Pikmin one was not something mind blowing, coming from the GameCube, there were technical limitations. I would lose the pikmin when exploring the area and trying to heard them together was sometimes a pain. Overlooking that, this game is the start of something that I fell in love with. This game introduces Olimar, the original three types of pikmin, and a lot of the enemies. I feel like this game is a solid start that gave the ground work for the amazing progression of the franchise.

The story is pretty woven into the gameplay. With Olimar crash-landing and having a limited amount of life support, the stakes are high right from the start. Having only 30 days was something that made me feel like I would have to rush to complete the game, but that was very quickly proven wrong. Once I got into the flow of things, I forgot all about the day limit. By the time I finished the game there was still a bunch of days left, so my worries were not nothing.

The only section that gave me trouble was the final boss circuit. I had to think about the best way to simultaneously keep Olimar safe while fighting enemies and solve puzzles to get away. I liked that I had to try multiple times, it was the only part where I actually died and had to rethink what I was doing. The boss fight itself was even harder. The most challenging fight in the whole game, truly worthy of being call the ending boss fight, and a battle that leaves you feeling satisfying at the end.

With this being the most barebones entry in the series, I don’t have a whole lot to say about it. I think it holds up in the eyes of someone who played it for the first time in 2023, the gameplay is still incredibly fun and nothing really shoves it in my face that this game is over 20 years old.

Pikmin II

Pikmin two released on the same console but adds a lot to the core gameplay. Instead of having only Olimar to guide the pikmin, you are joined by Louie (honestly I kinda wish we would have just left him back on the other planet) and you team up with five types of pikmin. Not only do you see the original red, yellow, and blue, but you also get introduced to the rock and wing pikmin. These two new types add a lot of new puzzle elements.

Instead of being on a time limit from the start, there is no set amount of days to complete your tasks. You return to the planet to collect treasures to pay off a debt and instead of throwing on a deadline, the game lets you explore everything at your own pace.

My favorite part of this sequel is the caves. This gives players dungeon-like sections where the daytime time-limit is removed and the focus is on exploration, combat, and collecting everything in sight. The only limitations put on players is that you cannot make more pikmin while underground. If you are lucky enough to find more pikmin on your route, great! If you end up losing all of your pikmin in a rough boss fight, return to the surface and try again later. These caves are also home to the new pikmin types. Much like Pikmin I, you will find all of your rock and wing pikmin below the surface, so make sure to protect these guys. The dangers of taking out these two types is that you cannot make more like the original three, so make sure to use caution to not lose them.

With both games taking on different storylines, it shows off how versatile the franchise can be. Pikmin one was a steadfast game where you have a set limit or else Olimar dies. Pikmin two is a more relaxed take on the gameplay. With no day limit hanging over your head, you are free to roam and explore to your heart’s content. Both games feel complete and satisfying to play. Neither make exploration feels boring or sluggish, and the length is perfect for the amount of content in each game.

Even though these games are pretty old and there are two newer games that enhance everything, I still recommend playing these two first. Seeing the improvements game-by-game is incredibly gratifying.