Nintendo Throws Out A New Pikmin

During their press conference at E3, Nintendo showed off its new entry in its strategic Pikmin series.

In Pikmin 3, players will still manage a horde of up to 100 Pikmin, but thanks to the Wii U’s dedicated controller screen you will be able to get a closer view of the action, switch between your Pikmin with the touch of a pad, and even aim Pikmin at specific objects. The Wii U’s gamepad screen will also display a dedicated view of the map while playing the game.

Players too lazy to turn on their TV will also be able to play the entire game only on the touch screen.

Nintendo also showed off a new rock-type Pikmin, which can be used to break hard objects. Other Pikmin can carry more objects, allowing them to build things like bridges over troubled water. Olimar also won’t be the only Pikmin leader in the game. Players will be able to control up to four leaders spread across the map, and will be able to use these Olimar-like characters to throw their other leaders to new areas of the map.

A new challenge mode will also offer players a variety of new challenges, encouraging them to complete levels faster or with different challenges. We’ll get more hands on time on the show floor, so we’ll keep you posted if we learn more.