Today, Nintendo announced another mobile AR app in collaboration with Niantic focusing on the Pikmin franchise. This year Pikmin celebrates its 20th anniversary with its first title being released on the GameCube in 2001, and this addition to the Pikmin universe has fans really excited about the future of the series.
Niantic has opened endless possibilities with AR technology and video games. With Pokémon GO becoming a huge success and continues to have a large player base, it is not surprising that Nintendo would have more AR versions of popular game series. While there is not a lot of information regarding gameplay or characters in the upcoming mobile app, it makes sense that Nintendo and Niantic would want to enhance our world with little Pikmin in the environment around us.
For those who may be unfamiliar with the Pikmin series, all of the games share similar themes. Players must solve puzzles and strategize with their Pikmin to defeat enemies and to discover foreign treasures on an alien planet. In Pikmin and Pikmin 2, the treasures are sent back to your home planet for money, while in Pikmin 3, your home planet is unsustainable, so the treasure you find is actually food for people on your home planet. Each Pikmin has its own special characteristics and abilities. For example, blue Pikmin can breathe underwater, and yellow Pikmin is immune to electricity and can be thrown higher and farther than other Pikmin.
The Pikmin AR app is now available for pre-registration and updates. For more information check out the official website.