Comparison: Pikmin 4 vs 3 vs 2 - graphics, controls, gameplay

Comparison of Pikmin 4 vs 3 vs 2 in gameplay, controls & graphics:

We have compared 3 latest versions of adorable plant like creature game Pikmon. Every new Pikmin game is similar to previous games, but has some improvement. Pikmin 2 & 3 are already released, but Pikmin 4 is still in development.

Pikmin 4:

Pikmin 4 is expected to follow the same gameplay introduced in previous parts. You can gather resources that can be used for endurance, such as stuff used for ship repair, or food items for survival while waiting for rescue. There is a possibility that Pikmin 4 allows players to manage multiple goals, combining all earlier games, including gathering parts for ship repair while finding food, & gathering treasure.

Image Credit: Nintendo

Pikmin 4 is in development & according to Shigeru Miyamoto, it has not always been a high priority within Nintendo.

Pikmin 4 Key Features:

• Console: Nintendo Switch
• Developer: Nintendo EPD
• Publisher: Nintendo
• Genre: Mass-Action Strategy
• Release: Not Announced Yet

Pikmin 3:

Pikmin 3 is focused on 3 space adventurers using little local monsters called Pikmin to scout out a world. In addition to new content and quality-of-life updates, you’ll also be able to play the game’s story mode in co-op with a friend.

Pikmin 3 Deluxe

Image Credit: Nintendo

Pikmin 3 falls into real time strategy category. It features more playable characters, more types of Pikmin, Off-TV Play, & DLC. You are able to control 3 characters in story campaign, who discovers the land they call PNF-404 to find fruit seeds to protect their world. They make friendship with Pikmin who help them in battle, cracking puzzles, & in gathering things.

Pikmin 3 Gameplay:

You can control a captain who can command a group of Pikmin, & uses the skills of the creatures to discover the planet, fight against rivals, crack puzzles & gather treasure. You can direct these creatures to complete various objectives, including building bridges, destroying barriers, gathering spoils & beating rivals. Pikmin are available in various colors & different physical features that show their special skills or resistances to dangers.

Pikmin 3 Deluxe Gameplay

Image Credit: Nintendo

Player can recruit Pikmins for solving puzzles, fighting battles against enemies, & finding food for your world in which you live. Learn about the personality of Pikmin who have various shapes & sizes. Actually there are five kinds of Pikmins, each have unique skills. Discover comfortable & attractive surroundings. Gamer can split Pikmin groups into three explorers’ groups in order to maximize gamer’s strategy. Gamer can also compete against a friend/family in the multiplayer battle mode.

Pikmin 3 Key Features:

• Genres: Action, Adventure & Strategy
• Platform: Nintendo Switch
• Developer: Nintendo
• Publisher: Nintendo
• Multiplayer: Offline Co-Op Multiplayer, Offline Versus Multiplayer
• Release Date: October 30, 2020

Pikmin 2:

Pikmin 2 is a 2004 puzzle strategy video game & a sequel to the 2001 video game Pikmin. Like its predecessor Pikmin, Pikmin 2 is about discovering an unknown world from a microscopic perspective. The player controls both Captain Olimar & Louie from a third-person microscopic perspective with a purpose to find a treasure from a distant planet.

Pikmin 2

 Image Credit: Nintendo

Pikmin 2 Gameplay:

Gamer uses tiny plant-like creatures called Pikmin. The Pikmin can destroy obstacles, beat opponents & recover items. Gamer needs to lead & direct a horde of Pikmin in order to do the required tasks. The Pikmin follows behind Olimar and/or Louie as they move. Gamers can also send Pikmin individually against an opponent or against an obstacle. They can also order the entire horde of Pikmin against opponents.

Pikmin 2 Controls:

• Developer: Nintendo EAD
• Publisher: Nintendo
• Series: Pikmin
• Platforms: GameCube & Wii
• Release Date (GameCube): NA: August 30, 2004; EU: October 8, 2004
• Release Date (Wii): EU: April 24, 2009; NA: June 10, 2012
• Genres: Puzzle & real-time strategy
• Modes: Single-player & multiplayer

Gameplay: Pikmin 4 vs 3 vs 2:

Pikmin 2 has a constraint that it has only two commanders namely Olimar & Louie while in Pikmin 3 you can control three characters that can give you more strategic choices & can affect your gameplay experience as a whole. I think that in Pikmin 4 we will be able to control more characters & every character will have its own skills. We can expect improvement in gameplay in the latest game.

Pikmin 3 vs Pikmon 2: Gameplay

Image Credit: Nintendo

In Pikmin 3, the gameplay was strictly time-based, but Pikmin 2 was about dungeons, so no timer & more exploration choices were available in randomly generated areas. I can expect freedom in Pikmin 4 because fans like to explore levels & complete them at their own pace. Timer can put constraint on the gameplay especially in games that offer a large map & more space for exploration. I can expect a bigger map in Pikmin 4 & bigger levels as compared to previous games.

In Pikmin 3 & 2, the abilities of Pikmin were different. In Pikmin 3, Pikmin abilities got a boost. It seems like more skills may be available in Pikmin 4 & every character may have its own skills that are different from other characters. Overall we are expecting improvement in gameplay in upcoming version.

There is a possibility that Pikmon 4 may offer more objectives, combining all previous games, such as collecting parts for ship repair while discovering food & collecting treasure.

Graphics: Pikmin 4 vs 3 vs 2:

The graphic quality of Pikmin 3 is better than Pikmin 2. Pikmin 2 visuals were a bit rougher as it was released long ago & at that time, the graphical content was not so great but Pikmin 3 is relatively newer & has better visuals.

Pikmin 3 vs Pikmin 2: Graphics

Image Credit: Nintendo

With advent of Nintendo Switch, graphics have tremendously improved. Nintendo Switch can be docked to TV & it is able to run games with greater FPS, & screen resolution. Previous Pikmin games were launched on older consoles & Pikmin 3 Deluxe is set to be released on Nintendo Switch on 30 October 2020. Pikmin 4 is in development & is expected to release on Nintendo Switch. Hence we can expect quality visuals from the upcoming game.

Controls: Pikmin 4 vs 3 vs 2:

Pikmin Controls

Image Credit: Nintendo

Pikmin 2 supports GameCube pad while Pikmin 3 supports GameCube pad along with Wii U GameCube controller adapter. Therefore, you have more options with Pikmin 3 compared to its predecessor.  Pikmin 3 Deluxe is slated to release on Nintendo Switch & will support Joy-Con controllers, that offers ease of play. Pikmin 4 will launch on Switch too & you will be able to play it with Joy-Con that has sleek controls.