The lights are on
Nintendo and Shigeru Miyamoto experimented with Pikmin on the 3DS, but difficulty in controlling the game is the reason why Nintendo decided not to move forward with development.
In an interview with the Japanese gaming site 4Gamer, and translated by CVG, Miyamoto spoke of the difficulties in a handheld version of the game. Miyamoto said, "The truth is we were doing prototype tests of Pikmin for the DS and 3DS but it turned into unit management with only the touch pen and no matter what it just didn't seem like Pikmin."
Miyamoto cites one of the highlights and most important aspects of Pikmin is ease of control, and moving the game to the handheld simply eliminated that very important element of the game.
Pikmin 3 is coming to Wii U on August 4. For more on the game, check out our latest preview.
[Source: 4Gamer via CVG]
Our TakeManaging Pikmin on a DS or 3DS certainly would be a different gameplay experience, but I am surprised to learn that Miyamoto thinks it would be in conflict with Pikimin's core tenets. As one of the most influential and important people in the world of video games, though, I trust his judgement.
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Given the things I've been hearing about Pikmin 3's great HD graphics, I'm glad I'll be able to play the game on my TV.
Keep it on Wii U, its selling pretty terribly we need it to sell more
its weird. If anything, I think the small screens, and the fact that the Pikmin are so small, would be more of a problem. I think touch controls could have worked great with Pikmin. I would have at least liked the option on Wii U. the touch screen IS there.
I dunno, I think managing the Pikmins with the touch screen should be comfortable.
That hasn't stopped them before *coughZeldacough*
I'm just glad we are getting another Pikmin after all these years!
I think with a circle pad pro it wouldn't be that difficult. If games like Monster Hunter and Resident Evil can translate flawlessly to the handheld, I see no reason why not.
But like you said, I trust Miyamoto.
Well, at least they didn't phone it in like other people do with their games these days. I'm pretty sure there's a way (a lot of games shouldn't be possible on a handheld, but they manage to pull it off) but Miyamoto's not the kind of guy I'll raise an eyebrow to and question :P.