There is a reason Nintendo has gotten as far as it has. Ignoring their ability to create bold and innovative technology, and the connection they are able to make with children and families, Nintendo is beloved mostly for one simple reason: they make good games. But as a fan growing up, I’ve often wondered what it is about certain Nintendo franchises that make them so endearing to us. They’ve been in this business for quite a while and, since the beginning, they have excelled in developing a fine-tuned, polished video game. Care and attention is most evident when playing a Nintendo game, but their virtues range even beyond that.

I believe the reason Nintendo is so beloved is because they have mastered diversity; not only diversity in their number of franchises, but also in how those franchises speak to us. Every Nintendo series is unique and it is my belief that the reason we love them so much is because each has one trait that makes them excel beyond other video games. Forget the fact that every Nintendo game is excellent from a mechanical standpoint; charm is the reason Mario, Zelda and Metroid games are so timeless.

I would like to introduce a new series of feature articles on Nintendo Enthusiast: “The Unique Nature of ..” In this feature, we will take a look at each individual Nintendo franchise and discover the one aspect that makes them so exceptional.

Appropriately, this week we\’re taking a look at the Pikmin franchise.

The Unique Nature of Nintendo: The Pikmin Series

Pikmin is a game unlike any other. Trying to explain it alone is no simple task, mainly because the series blends many different elements from several genres. It is a real-time strategy game, but also much more hands-on and action-oriented compared to any other RTS. With the exception of the first game, it can be played at both an intense pace and at a very leisurely level in order to enjoy the gorgeous scenery and take in the atmosphere. In the end, it is the perfect representation of Nintendo’s flexibility when it comes to software. It’s an incredibly unique product that cannot be grasped until it is seen.

Is a second trip to the Onion worth the lives of a few Pikmin?

But moving past its adorable nature, and creative design a player will find an entirely different gameplay experience in Pikmin compared to other products on the market. Any video game can be cute and well designed. The core of the Pikmin series, and what makes it so exceptional is its perception of difficulty. It is impossible to gauge whether or not Pikmin is a difficult game. An experienced player can complete any one of the three games in hours and its highly likely that very few players will ever encounter a game over in the second and third game. That is because, at the surface, Pikmin is not a hard series. There are plenty of pellets scattered in the various lands to create more of the little creatures, and no matter how many times an enemy gives you a hard time, the player can always return with more Pikmin on hand to finish the job. Using sheer brute force alone, the Pikmin can overcome any obstacle in a fairly quick pace.

However, it doesn’t take long before the player starts to realize how difficult Pikmin can be when perceived from an emotional standpoint. Yes, it is possible to defeat any of the game’s horrible titans if enough Pikmin are thrown at it, but at what cost? Pikmin are fragile beings. A group of one hundred red Pikmin is like the ultimate glass cannon — They will grant the player a quicker victory but with much more casualties. And sometimes, seeing just one Pikmin pass away can weigh heavily on the heart. It’s when I look back on my completed Pikmin 3 file and see that I lead over 400 of the cute little guys to their doom that I realize my victory was not a fruitful one. Because of my incompetence I failed hundreds of Pikmin, and it’s at that point that a player realizes the moral weight behind their adventure in PNF-404.

Pikmin poses a very interesting question in all of this: Is a victory worth it if it comes at the price of so many dead souls? The Pikmin are adorable creatures, and seeing one of them meet a terrible fate after being left behind at the end of the day is a grueling sight to witness. It leads me to believe that behind their family friendly façade, Nintendo is also incredibly evil. They’ve designed these adorable little creatures and it is impossible not to fall in love with their quirky personality. It is for that reason that a player may not feel satisfied when completing a task in Pikmin. The level of difficulty is up to the perception of the player and how much they care about the lives of their comrades. And for those who carry a hefty heart for these creatures, a significant loss may not feel as gratifying as it should be. However, it can also lead to an incredible experience for these types of gamers. Returning to avenge the death of several Pikmin on a formidable enemy bears emotional satisfaction unlike anything else. In the end, it is up to the gamer whether or not Pikmin is a challenging experience. Victory can come quickly and easily, but only with rash decisions. A carefully planned battle strategy — with an attitude that puts the Pikmin’s lives first — can lead to a much more satisfying win.

It also makes Pikmin the ultimate game to replay. At the end of the three adventures, players are given a final report based on how quickly they fulfilled their duty and how many Pikmin lost their lives in doing so. For those who are affected by the loss of these creatures a second playthrough is difficult to reject. Another try can lead to a much more comforting conclusion. Of course there are other games that share its war-like properties, but Pikmin’s design is practically based off this idea of morality. The day system of Pikmin 3 is there for gamers who wish to retry at any time in order to salvage the lives of fallen Pikmin. It ensures that a player can always come back immediately after being defeated by a boss with revenge in mind.

This is what makes Pikmin so exceptional, and it is the reason why it is unlike any other Nintendo franchise. There is practically no way to truly lose the game, but if victory comes at the cost of so many dead souls then is it truly a victory at all? It is a fine example of the deceptive level of complexity within Nintendo titles. It’s really no wonder why the big N excels at creating titles that are improperly deemed as “kiddie”. A game like Pikmin reignites the flames of our childhood and reminds us that we have a conscience.

Thank you for reading. Be sure to tell us what you think makes Pikmin so unique, and please look forward to the next entry in this series soon!