Review of Pikmin 1+2: Are these flowers still fresh?

Our Verdict

Pikmin 1+2 is a great accessible introduction to the beloved series for newcomers and a gem for existing fans, but the steep price tag and lack of features drive a hard bargain for a series that lets you jump in at any point.

Up until now, I've never had the reassuring puzzle experience of a Pikmin game; I was one of maybe ten Wii U users worldwide, but I never had a GameCube growing up, and I missed Pikmin 3. Although I had seen the small fellas in Super Smash Bros. and on Nintendo merchandise, I had never really appreciated Pikmin's appeal until I played Pikmin 1+2 on the Switch.

The most recent HD version of the first two Pikmin games on the GameCube is called Pikmin 1+2. Since the Wii was the only platform for which these games were previously ported, obtaining them might be challenging. In Pikmin 1, we follow Captain Olimar as he crashes-lands on an enigmatic planet and discovers a race of plant-like beings he names Pikmin. They gather the missing components from Olimar's spacecraft and document their discoveries together. This narrative is continued in Pikmin 2, as Olimar and Louie are sent back to the planet to gather enough "treasure" to settle his boss's debt.

I can see why this legendary Nintendo series has so many admirers after experiencing it for the first time. Undoubtedly, Pikmin is among Nintendo's most cherished brands for a reason, and I'm eager to use my gaming knowledge from this version to Pikmin 4, when it launches on the Switch.

I can only evaluate these games based on this port since I haven't played them previously. The GameCube architecture of Pikmin 1 is quite delightful, and the HD visuals make it seem current even now. I enjoy getting to roleplay as Olimar, the brave explorer who befriends Pikmin and battles terrifying creatures. His inner monologue is hilarious. Pikmin 1 is initially a gentle puzzle game, but it soon becomes quite tense.

You have 30 in-game days to finish repairing your spacecraft before its life support runs out, in addition to a time constraint for each day you remain on the enigmatic planet. Yes, Olimar says that the oxygen on the planet is "poisonous," implying that he will really die if the spacecraft isn't finished. It's not necessary to have every ship component for takeoff, but it might be difficult to determine which pieces are necessary.

The additional worry of accidentally murdering your Pikmin is another. It's always heartbreaking to see your Pikmin die, whether they are burned to a crisp, swallowed by a monster, or drown in a puddle. I love these tiny creatures so much, and even though I know that the game is attempting to teach you resource management and that they are more of a puzzle tool, it still hurts when I forget some of them or take a bad step and end up killing my squad.

I had a lot more fun with Pikmin 2 because of this. Many of the pressures were eliminated by Nintendo, such as the 30-day time constraint and the secret significance of the various riches. The narrative is even more ridiculous, and Louie's expression is perfect for a meme. Having said that, even with the new methods and the inclusion of the purple and white Pikmin (I think the purple ones should be called thick-min), I've found it a bit more difficult to advance in Pikmin 2. The emerging cave tasks are a fun addition, particularly because you can take your time figuring out the best answers to the puzzles while the clock is paused.

Many members of my squad have also perished in these caverns due to their very challenging boss encounters. I'm still inconsolable since I lost 70 Pikmin to a gigantic rolling worm in one swift motion. Losing so many team members seems like a huge blow since I've been finding it difficult to defeat the bosses and advancement appears to be more closely linked to the emergence caves than treasure seeking. The Joy-Cons' controls, which are difficult to use in both portable and docked modes, are one reason why I think it's partly the case. In addition, there is a significant level of frustration when using the "throw Pikmin" button in the same way as the "pluck Pikmin" button.

Despite how much fun I've had with this package, I don't think it qualifies as $50 worth of enjoyment. Since they are only HD ports of the original titles rather than remastered versions, the additional cost seems exorbitant for titles that were released in 2001 and 2004, respectively. Playing these games with the Pikmin 4 demo has also taught me that this series is meant to be picked up at any time.

Indeed, for ardent Pikmin enthusiasts, the physical version of this bundle, which releases in September, would make a wonderful addition to your collection. However, for those like me who are eager to explore the franchise for the first time, it would be more prudent to try out Pikmin 3 Deluxe or bide their time until Pikmin 4 releases in a few weeks. Every game in this series is suitable for beginners and includes in-depth lessons for every aspect of gameplay, regardless of how new or old it is. Although there is a main plot, it isn't so complicated that you can't understand it by starting the series later.

Pikmin 1+2 is a pleasant collection of two beloved Nintendo titles that have been ported to the newest system, making them more playable for fans overall. The peculiar gameplay and funny writing remain the same, and they play just as well as they did on the GameCube and Wii. With its current price tag, this package is unquestionably more beneficial to collectors and die-hard fans than it is to beginners to the game, who can play Pikmin 4, designed especially for the Switch, and have an experience just as wonderful without the clunkiness of earlier versions.

See our Pikmin 4 preview and Pikmin 3 Deluxe review for more beautiful sproutlings. You can also read our guide to the top new Switch games for 2023.