Pikmin (video game)

Pikmin, released in 2001 for the Nintendo GameCube, is a real-time strategy puzzle video game created by Shigeru Miyamoto and developed by Nintendo EAD. The game centers around Captain Olimar, an alien space traveler whose ship, the S.S. Dolphin, crash-lands on an unknown planet inhabited by plant-animal hybrids called Pikmin.

Olimar must collect the 30 scattered pieces of his ship within 30 in-game days to escape the planet before his life support system fails. He accomplishes this by enlisting the aid of the Pikmin, which he cultivates and commands to overcome obstacles, defeat enemies, and carry the ship parts back to his landing site.

The core gameplay revolves around resource management, strategic planning, and Pikmin type utilization. Different colored Pikmin possess unique abilities and resistances. For example, Red Pikmin are resistant to fire, Blue Pikmin can survive in water, and Yellow Pikmin can be thrown higher and are resistant to electricity in later installments. Players must strategically deploy different Pikmin types to navigate the environment and solve puzzles.

The game's setting is generally interpreted as a stylized version of Earth, with familiar objects appearing oversized due to Olimar's diminutive size. Pikmin is known for its unique gameplay mechanics, charming visual design, and blend of real-time strategy and puzzle elements. It spawned a successful franchise that includes Pikmin 2, Pikmin 3, Pikmin 4 and Pikmin Bloom, each expanding upon the original's concepts and introducing new Pikmin types and gameplay features. The series has been lauded for its innovative gameplay and environmental storytelling.