Pikmin 3 Deluxe
- October 30, 2020
- Nintendo
- 10h median play time
Pikmin 3 Deluxe makes an already excellent game even better with some small but enjoyable content additions and a boatload of quality of life improvements.
NO MISSION IS TOO BIG FOR THE TINY PIKMIN! WHAT'S NEW? Whether you’ve played Pikmin 3 on Wii U or it’s your first venture on planet “PNF-404”, Pikmin 3 Deluxe comes packed with exciting new modes and features: - 2P co-op: Journey through the main story in two player co-op* on the same console! - New adventures: Go it alone or team up with a friend to take on brand new prologue and epilogue sto…
Reviews
- Pikmin 3 Deluxe is a charming and family-friendly game that appeals to both casual and hardcore gamers, offering a delightful experience for players of all ages.
- The game features enhanced controls, new side stories, and various difficulty levels, making it accessible and enjoyable for newcomers while providing enough depth for returning fans.
- Co-op gameplay is a highlight, allowing players to strategize together and enjoy the game in a relaxed, fun environment.
- The main story mode is relatively short, with many players completing it in just a few hours, leading to concerns about the game's value at full price.
- Some players experienced control issues and pathfinding glitches, which can detract from the overall gameplay experience.
- While the game includes new content, some reviewers felt that it did not significantly enhance the original experience, making it feel more like a port than a true 'deluxe' version.
- story62 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story mode is generally considered short, with players completing it in just a few hours, which may disappoint those seeking a lengthy narrative experience. However, it features enjoyable side missions and additional content, including a mini-story involving characters Olimar and Louie, which adds replayability and fun, especially in co-op mode. Overall, while the main storyline may lack depth, the game compensates with engaging side quests and multiplayer options that enhance the overall experience.
“The main plot and side quests were enjoyable, and my son and I love challenging each other with the timed extra challenges. We also love the multiplayer options, including a fun party game!”
“The new side story with Olimar was a fun little extra bit of story content as well.”
“The side stories provide creative level design that was missing from the base game. All of the DLC missions are present, and the story can finally be played entirely with two players.”
“If you are looking for a game with a very long story or a single experience that you finish once that is worth your money, you may not want this game, as its story mode is short.”
“Highly recommended, but I will add my husband's only grievance: he thought the main quest line was short compared to the older versions, and compared to other games you’d pay this price for.”
“The only thing I would change about this game is making the main story longer.”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Pikmin 3 Deluxe offers engaging and rewarding gameplay that combines strategy and time management, appealing to both newcomers and series veterans. The port includes smart accessibility features, gameplay tweaks, and additional content that enhance the overall experience, making it a delightful and addictive return for fans of the original. With its charming visuals and fun mechanics, the game successfully balances challenge and enjoyment.
“Pikmin 3 Deluxe is a port of an already great game with nice additional gameplay and story content that new fans will enjoy and series fans will appreciate.”
“Super fun, addictive, and rewarding gameplay.”
“Excellent gameplay that rewards time management and strategy skills, lovely visuals even while undocked, substantial amount of extra content.”
- graphics11 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
Overall, the graphics have received high praise for their beauty and enhancement in the deluxe version, with many noting the great visuals and family-friendly aesthetic typical of first-party Nintendo Switch games. However, some users feel that certain elements appear dated and suggest that additional graphical improvements could have been made. Despite these critiques, the visuals are generally considered lovely, even in handheld mode.
“The graphics are beautiful.”
“The graphics are enhanced and several new side-missions and difficulty settings have been added to this 'deluxe' version.”
“The graphics feel a bit dated; it should have included Pikmin 1 & 2.”
“The touchscreen can be missed; there's a lack of graphical improvements.”
“The visuals, audio, and performance are up to the standard of every first-party Nintendo Switch game, capturing that superb family-friendly tone.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers strong replayability, appealing to both younger players and adults due to its depth. Players can repeatedly engage with the content, aiming for 100% completion, which enhances the overall experience.
“Simple enough for a younger player, but with enough depth and replayability to entertain a proper adult.”
“It has pretty good replay value since you can choose to go through it again and again, trying to complete 100% as fast as you can.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game offers a range of difficulty levels catering to both casual players and those seeking to optimize their gameplay strategies. While it runs at 30 frames per second, which may not appeal to everyone, the overall performance is considered decent for a Wii U port, with visuals and audio meeting the high standards of first-party Nintendo Switch titles.
“The game also has various difficulties for those who just want to casually explore it, or for those who really want to push their optimization of movement and planning.”
“But my only issue is that this game runs at 30 frames per second, which I have noticed some people might not like, but for the overall performance of the game as a Wii U port, it is pretty decent.”
“The visuals, audio, and performance are up to the standard of every first-party Nintendo Switch game, capturing that superb family-friendly tone.”
“But my only issue is that this game runs at 30 frames per second, which I have noticed some people might not like. However, for the overall performance of the game as a Wii U port, it is pretty decent.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been noted to have minor issues, including small glitches related to badges and the Piklopedia, while it has not undergone significant visual improvements since its Wii U release. Additionally, the local multiplayer limitation in Bingo Battle has been a point of frustration for some players.
“The game did not receive much of a visual overhaul when brought over from Wii U, and Bingo Battle remains local multiplayer only.”
“There are small, but frustrating glitches with the badges and the Piklopedia.”
“The overall stability of the game is disappointing, with frequent crashes and connectivity issues.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development is highlighted by charming designs and an engaging narrative, contributing to an overall enjoyable experience.
“The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making their journeys feel personal and impactful.”
“The backstories and growth of each character are beautifully crafted, adding layers to the overall narrative.”
Critic Reviews
Pikmin 3 Deluxe Review
Visually, Pikmin 3 Deluxe doesn't push the boat out much further than the original Wii U version did. Where its changes lie are in its revamped control system and the addition of a new Side Stories mode. Neither are necessarily transformative enough to warrant double dipping if you're perfectly happy with your Wii U copy, but if you're one of the vast majority who don't have a Wii U copy, this Switch update is unquestionably the best way to play it.
80%Pikmin 3 Deluxe Edition Nintendo Switch Review
A welcome return to one of Nintendos beautiful franchises, gamers will love the magical world of Pikmin.
86%Pikmin 3 Deluxe (Switch) Review
Smart accessibility additions and nice gameplay tweaks help this Wii U port stay great on Switch.
85%