Summary
According to a well-known insider, a spin-off to thePikminfranchise is being developed by Nintendo, and it will make some unexpected changes to its gameplay. ThePikminfranchise is one of the Japanese giant’s most well-regarded series, despite its relative obscurity in comparison to the likes ofSuper Mario Bros.andThe Legend of Zelda.
Pikmin 4was released last year to critical acclaim, and is considered one of the best games in the series, and one of the best games on the Nintendo Switch. ThePikminseries has also benefited from being on the Switch with rereleases of the first three games on the same system in the lead-up toPikmin 4’s release. With thePikminseries enjoying this new renaissance in 2024, some fans may be wondering what will be next for the franchise. According to a reliable insider, Nintendo is currently working on a new spin-off, and it will stand out from previous entries with its new gameplay mechanics.
This rumor comes from Twitter user Nash Weedle, who has a record of reliable leaks. They claim that the next game in the series will be a spin-off and that it will “stand out” fromthe mainlinePikmingameswith a new type of gameplay. Moreover, this spin-off will allegedly be changing its core art style to something different, with the approximate release window being in the next fiscal year. The numbered titles will continue using the classic gameplay that fans are familiar with. Another well-known leaker, Necro Felipe, responded to the tweet to seemingly corroborate Nash Weedle’s claims.
Pikmin’s Past Spin-off Titles
ThePikminseries has delved into different genres with its two spin-off games,Pikmin BloomandHey Pikmin.Pikmin Bloomwas first released in 2021 for iOS and Android devices in 2021, and is an AR game similar toPokemon GO, though some fans note that it is hampered by its gameplay loop. The3DS exclusiveHey Pikminis a dramatically different entry from the numbered games, as it is a 2D platformer that adapts a lot of mechanics for a portable gaming console. Mechanics include using Olimar’s Pikmin to attack enemies, collect fuel, and build bridges to cross gaps.
The possibility of anotherPikminspin-off being in the works may not be too far-fetched. In a debriefing for the March 2024 fiscal year, President Shuntaro Furukawa shared how the company considersPikminto be one of Nintendo’s flagship IPs. Like with any rumor, these claims should be taken with a grain of salt until more information is revealed.
Pikmin
Pikmin is an imaginative and colorful strategy and puzzle release created by the iconic Shigeru Miyamoto. The title follows the mysterious adventurer Olimar, as well as an array of other characters in later installments, as they befriend tiny multi-colored creatures called Pikmin. Players must use hordes of these adorable lifeforms to navigate puzzles and defeat enemies.
