Inferior Port, But Still A Masterpiece


I bought this game because I wanted to play Pikmin again. I had played the original on Gamecube a lot, but had traded it in a long time ago. Sometimes you wanna play the games from your past. So if there is anyone like me in the world, who is mulling about whether to buy this or the Gamecube original, I would say, "Get the Gamecube original." Sure, there is widescreen, but as far as improvements, that's about it. The controls in the Gamecube version are superior. All things considered, however, this is still a highly playable game, and still a masterpiece.

If you have never played the GC original, you probably won't even notice that the controls are slightly janky. So if the Gamecube controls were a 100, this port's would be a 95.

In the GC game, you could control your aiming cursor and the Pikmin independently, with the left analog stick and the C-stick respectively; in this port, you cannot. "Down" on the Wiimote's d-pad orders the Pikmin to move in the direction of your aiming cursor: the cursor you use to throw Pikmin and change the camera. In the GC game, you could aim somewhere (using the analog stick), and have your Pikmin move in a completely different direction at the same time (using the C-stick). In this Wii port, you lose that functionality. In this port, however, you do gain slight quickness in manuevering your aiming cursor, because it's faster using the Wiimote to point, than it is to move the aiming cursor with the Gamecube's analog stick.

When aiming and throwing Pikmin, it is slightly difficult to keep the Wiimote steady while you're holding it up, and at the same time mash the "A" button; so your aiming cursor will fidget a little bit and some of your Pikmin probably won't end up where you wanted them to.

In the GC game, you could throw your Pikmin at a faster rate by guiding them to Olimar with the C-stick while mashing "A". You still can do this, but it's a little trickier. Since the d-pad's "Down" button and the "A" button are both on the Wiimote, you will have to let go of the Nunchuk with your left hand (right if you're a lefty), and then use both hands on the Wiimote. So this functionality is possible, but was too cumbersome and I barely used it, saving it for rare occasions when I wanted to throw 100 Pikmin.

Also, in this port, sometimes the camera acts by itself, when in the GC game, it did not, except for the first day in "The Impact Site", when you first learn how to play the game. It involves the camera stealthily zooming out to the max, and angling to an overhead view. I like to play at medium distance and the 45 degree-ish view. At first I found myself wondering, "What did I press?" when I had not pressed any of the camera buttons.

This is still a masterpiece. I love natural environments in video games, with asymmetrical levels and objects, and as few right angles as possible. This game is a visual masterpiece. It still looks good. The leaves look like leaves, and the water looks amazing (something Nintendo is still very good at).

Conceptually, this is a very harmonious and cathartic game. You are a tiny being on an ominous world, but it really isn't that bad. Creatures attack you only to eat or in self-defense, and though you are hopelessly outmatched physically as well as in size, using superior numbers and your brains, you are able to overcome obstacles - not for global domination, superiority or mindless killing, but to simply return to your wife and son. It is a very beautiful story, written with care and detail. In fact, I suggest you read all the little things Captain Olimar has to say. Not only will he help you play the game, but will inform you of his back-story, his motivation to keep on going, and tell you about the new world he has landed in. The writing reminds me of the end-level snippets from Super Mario World, combined with the monologues of Samus Aran in Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion.

The soundtrack is good, with one masterpiece: "The Forest of Hope", one of my favorite tracks in a video-game.

Thanks for reading, and God bless.

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