Pikmin 3 Deluxe

Pikmin 3 Deluxe is an expanded version of the 2013 Wii U strategy game in which three space explorers from the planet Koppai - Captain Charlie, Alph and Brittany - land on the mysterious planet PNF-404 to save their home planet from famine by gathering enough fruit. The planet strikingly resembles an abandoned Earth seen from the perspective of a creature only a few centimeters tall, so ordinary water droplets, leaves or cans feel like monumental obstacles.

The series' key element remains commanding armies of tiny plant-like creatures called Pikmin, which come in colored types with unique abilities - red ones are fire-resistant, blue ones can breathe underwater, yellow ones conduct electricity and can be thrown higher, and the newly introduced rock and flying Pikmin add further strategic options for solving environmental puzzles and fighting the planet's hostile fauna. The player must efficiently divide time between three playable captains, planning routes to gather enough resources before nightfall, when nocturnal predators devour abandoned Pikmin, creating the tense time management typical of the whole series. Fruit supplies are also converted into days of survival for the crew, so even an inefficient afternoon shows up in the expedition's remaining time.

The Switch version adds new missions featuring Olimar and Louie from the earlier entry, a cooperative story mode for two players, a Bingo Battle competition for collecting specific objects, and the option to control the game by pointing with the Joy-Con, similar to the original Wii U GamePad. It also brought minor simplifications and hints that make the series more accessible to newcomers who previously gave up under the harsh time pressure. Thanks to its unique blend of strategy, time management and adorable visuals accompanied by a quiet, natural soundscape, Pikmin 3 Deluxe remains an accessible entry point into one of Nintendo's most distinctive series.