What happens when gaming guru, Shigeru Miyamoto, is oppressed with the role as the integral man for masterminding the next Zelda and Metriod titles? From the production of Pikmin, it seems as if he seizes a deep, consoling breath and rips open a bag full of relaxation. Ah, finally all that dreadful anxiety and flagrant expectations from gaming fans everywhere wash away. His sheer brilliance veers into a jaunty, animated dream world. Conclusively, he creates a bizarre game where players are ferried onto a planet where replicas of giant onions come alive and spawn multicolored, cutesy creatures called Pikmin. Perhaps Miyamoto's latest game is a minor escape from the daunting task of transcending the GameCube into unreachable stratum? Whatever the case, Pikmin is not ... MoreWhat happens when gaming guru, Shigeru Miyamoto, is oppressed with the role as the integral man for masterminding the next Zelda and Metriod titles? From the production of Pikmin, it seems as if he seizes a deep, consoling breath and rips open a bag full of relaxation. Ah, finally all that dreadful anxiety and flagrant expectations from gaming fans everywhere wash away. His sheer brilliance veers into a jaunty, animated dream world. Conclusively, he creates a bizarre game where players are ferried onto a planet where replicas of giant onions come alive and spawn multicolored, cutesy creatures called Pikmin. Perhaps Miyamoto's latest game is a minor escape from the daunting task of transcending the GameCube into unreachable stratum? Whatever the case, Pikmin is not what would we ordinarily expect as a first-class launch title, but it doesn't even fall short to deliver one addictive gem. The player assumes the responsibility of Captain Orima who looks like a freshly baked character from Cartoon Network. With a big, round nose, a mini space outfit, and a fish bowl for a helmet, it's hard not to think about pummeling the daylights outta' the adorable twerp. Orima's story is basically a cakewalk. The captain opts to go on vacation through space, in the duration of his flight, he has a sensible meal of onions when a sudden meteor slams onto his rocket. Surviving the plunge onto an alien planet, Orima's ship has disintegrated into fragments spread across the land. He mu.

Over the years Shigeru Miyamoto has brought us many good and innovative games, from Mario to Zelda. But his newest creation may be his most creative and unique looking franchise as of yet. What is this new innovative and unique game? Why it's Pikmin for the GameCube, of course. It was first shown off as a huge surprise at E3 2001 in May.The game(play) is a real time strategy game simplified more, which in ways makes the game much more fun, as it is not as complicated, and has a very small learning curve. In Pikmin you are a Spaceman (Capt. Olimar) who's ship collides with an asteroid and forces you to land on a strange new planet. Here you'll find the strange Pikmin, along with many other dangerous creatures looking to make a meal out of the little plant like ... MoreOver the years Shigeru Miyamoto has brought us many good and innovative games, from Mario to Zelda. But his newest creation may be his most creative and unique looking franchise as of yet. What is this new innovative and unique game? Why it's Pikmin for the GameCube, of course. It was first shown off as a huge surprise at E3 2001 in May.The game(play) is a real time strategy game simplified more, which in ways makes the game much more fun, as it is not as complicated, and has a very small learning curve. In Pikmin you are a Spaceman (Capt. Olimar) who's ship collides with an asteroid and forces you to land on a strange new planet. Here you'll find the strange Pikmin, along with many other dangerous creatures looking to make a meal out of the little plant like Pikmin. The Pikmin are more then willing to help you in your quest to find the 30 missing parts to your spaceship, before you run out of oxygen in 30 days. But you will have to help the Pikmin with there problems as well. And boy do they have problems, it seems that the neighboring critters have developed at appetite for these little creatures. Well with some of them it's not so much an appetite as it is just spitting boulders at them, smashing them, or drowning them. So as you can see you've got some work ahead. Fortunately when you kill these enemies little seeds appear in there place ranging in size, and with different numbers on them. The higher the number, the more seeds you get. Also, if the color of the seed is.

If you are a GameCube owner, chances are you chose your console partly because of the innovations usually found in titles produced by Nintendo itself. Nintendo's track record for first party titles is virtually untainted and is completely un-challenged. While owners of Nintendo's consoles may have less titles to choose from than competitors, the percentage of garbage titles to appear on other consoles far outstrips that of Nintendo's systems. That being said, Pikmin is an innovative masterpiece that should not be over looked. The gameplay is fantastic and very addictive. I read many reviews referring to the game as being short. While I cannot say the game is long, I must admit that it wasn't as short as I thought it would be, based on other's feedback. It ... MoreIf you are a GameCube owner, chances are you chose your console partly because of the innovations usually found in titles produced by Nintendo itself. Nintendo's track record for first party titles is virtually untainted and is completely un-challenged. While owners of Nintendo's consoles may have less titles to choose from than competitors, the percentage of garbage titles to appear on other consoles far outstrips that of Nintendo's systems. That being said, Pikmin is an innovative masterpiece that should not be over looked. The gameplay is fantastic and very addictive. I read many reviews referring to the game as being short. While I cannot say the game is long, I must admit that it wasn't as short as I thought it would be, based on other's feedback. It incorporates two genres (platform and strategy) successfully into what is really a unique new play experience. You do have to think about how you will go about several tasks, or you won't be able to complete them. Pikmin's graphics are wonderful as well. It is a game that makes me smile rather than feeling down after playing. Many thanks to Nintendo for not re-hashing the same stuff over and over again as competitors do. Just when I think innovation in the game market is becoming dull, a title like Pikmin, or Animal Crossing, or Metroid Prime comes along to challenge this notion. I only hope there is a sequel. Until then, lets hope the Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker delivers.

The first thing I would like to say is that if you plan to buy this, you should get the accompanying strategy guide. If you don't, you'll find this frustrating. With the help of a guide, though, the game becomes charming and challenging.First, the game is gorgeous for being released so early in the GameCube's life cycle. Sparkling lakes, peaceful meadows, and charred fire-pits all have a realistic, but still "painted" look to them. The music fits the environments perfectly, too; it makes you feel happy and sunny at times, cautious and aware at others.The controls work very well, and generally you won't have trouble controlling your Pikmin (if you're not familiar with the concept here, it's that you have to control your Pikmin so that they can gather items for you ... MoreThe first thing I would like to say is that if you plan to buy this, you should get the accompanying strategy guide. If you don't, you'll find this frustrating. With the help of a guide, though, the game becomes charming and challenging.First, the game is gorgeous for being released so early in the GameCube's life cycle. Sparkling lakes, peaceful meadows, and charred fire-pits all have a realistic, but still "painted" look to them. The music fits the environments perfectly, too; it makes you feel happy and sunny at times, cautious and aware at others.The controls work very well, and generally you won't have trouble controlling your Pikmin (if you're not familiar with the concept here, it's that you have to control your Pikmin so that they can gather items for you within a time limit). You can separate them, clump them together, or throw them individually at the touch of a button. Most everything--unrolling bridges, attacking enemies, carrying items, etc.--can be done with a few simple commands.Nintendo is indeed the master of the sense of accomplishment, and every time you grab an item, you'll feel proud of yourself, even if you used a guide like I did. You collect spaceship parts, and with every one you get, the spaceship will change in appearance. It starts out looking like a piece of junk, but as you proceed, it transforms into a top-of-the-line machine. You really feel like you're getting somewhere. The parts themselves are all interesting, from the practical (the geiger.

Pikmin is one of the first games that came out for Nintendo Gamecube. I remember playing it at my neighbor's house and it was instantly one of my favorite games.It is about seven years later, and owning only a Sega Genesis and an Xbox, I decided that I had to own the Cube. The first game I bought was Pikmin!In Pikmin you play as a very small man named Captain Olimar. His ship crash lands on a planet (Earth, which is never exactly stated but is pretty obvious for numerous reasons). Olimar figures he will die there because important parts to his ship were scattered everywhere and he only has 30 days before his space suit fails and the poisonous oxygen that permeates the planet kills him. Just when it looks like all hope is lost, he stumbles upon a red object that, ... MorePikmin is one of the first games that came out for Nintendo Gamecube. I remember playing it at my neighbor's house and it was instantly one of my favorite games.It is about seven years later, and owning only a Sega Genesis and an Xbox, I decided that I had to own the Cube. The first game I bought was Pikmin!In Pikmin you play as a very small man named Captain Olimar. His ship crash lands on a planet (Earth, which is never exactly stated but is pretty obvious for numerous reasons). Olimar figures he will die there because important parts to his ship were scattered everywhere and he only has 30 days before his space suit fails and the poisonous oxygen that permeates the planet kills him. Just when it looks like all hope is lost, he stumbles upon a red object that, once he approached, appeared to come alive.The red object he deems an Onion, and out of this onion comes a seed that implants itself into the ground where seconds after a small sprout shoots up. Olimar picks the sprout and that is where the first Pikmin is discovered. It isn't long before Olimar realizes these Pikmin could help him search and gather up the pieces of his ship, and the hunting begins!There are three different kinds of Pikmin and a huge load of enemies looking to eat them. The red Pikmin, the very first Pikmin you acquire, is the strongest out of the three and they are immune to fire. The yellow Pikmin can be thrown very high and far and they can use bomb rocks, which can be found inside tin cans or skul.

For two decades, Nintendo's master game designer, Shigeru Miyamoto, has been entertaining the world with his artistic approach to video game design. He is responsible for inventing industry icons such as Mario, Donkey Kong, Zelda, and many, many more. Mr. Miyamoto's success lies in his creative ability to intertwine solid game play mechanics, interesting characters and engrossing story lines. Simply put, Shigeru Miyamoto knows how to make games that are just fun to play. His latest creation is Pikmin, a genre-breaking masterpiece available exclusively for Nintendo GameCube.For those who don't know, Miyamoto's main babies are:Donkey Kong (arcade)Super Mario Bros. (NES)Star Fox (SNES)Super Mario 64 (N64)Yoshi's Story (N64)The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time ... MoreFor two decades, Nintendo's master game designer, Shigeru Miyamoto, has been entertaining the world with his artistic approach to video game design. He is responsible for inventing industry icons such as Mario, Donkey Kong, Zelda, and many, many more. Mr. Miyamoto's success lies in his creative ability to intertwine solid game play mechanics, interesting characters and engrossing story lines. Simply put, Shigeru Miyamoto knows how to make games that are just fun to play. His latest creation is Pikmin, a genre-breaking masterpiece available exclusively for Nintendo GameCube.For those who don't know, Miyamoto's main babies are:Donkey Kong (arcade)Super Mario Bros. (NES)Star Fox (SNES)Super Mario 64 (N64)Yoshi's Story (N64)The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)Pikmin (GC)This is beginning to drag on, so I'll start reviewing AND talking.Pikmin, put simply, is a spastic venture through imagination. As aforementioned, Shigeru Miyamoto, Mr. Nintendo, the bigwig, designed this game. Her created the concepts, he made the changes. He made the reason you should buy this system.Okay, here's the story: You are Captain Olimar. You are on vacation and heading for a vacation planet in your spaceship, the Dolphin. Accordingly, a meteor changes that vacation. One collides with your ship. It enter's another planet's atmosphere, where it breaks into 30 pieces which scatter throughout the planet. After you regain consciousness, you find a machine called an Onion. It shoots out a lone seed. It.

Many hard-core gamers dismissed Pikmin as cartoon-ish and simplistic. I am here to say that it is just that, which is exactly why the game is immensely fun. Miyamoto's world is refreshingly bright and colorful, full of little surprises that will make you grin like a young child, or, if you happen to actually be a child, it will draw you into this magical world like a Teletubbies episode, but rather than drooling vacantly while staring into the screen, they can direct the colorful mayhem themselves.On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being "The Perfect Game," I would rate Pikmin a solid "8." Besides the lack of true re-playability, there were only a few minor points that the game could have done better on and even those fade to intangibility in the face of such an ... MoreMany hard-core gamers dismissed Pikmin as cartoon-ish and simplistic. I am here to say that it is just that, which is exactly why the game is immensely fun. Miyamoto's world is refreshingly bright and colorful, full of little surprises that will make you grin like a young child, or, if you happen to actually be a child, it will draw you into this magical world like a Teletubbies episode, but rather than drooling vacantly while staring into the screen, they can direct the colorful mayhem themselves.On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being "The Perfect Game," I would rate Pikmin a solid "8." Besides the lack of true re-playability, there were only a few minor points that the game could have done better on and even those fade to intangibility in the face of such an entertaining title.This game is not for hard-core gamers looking to immerse themselves for hours at a time in a deep and convoluted game. There are plenty of titles for the GameCube that will offer said gaming experience. If, however, you are looking for a light-hearted title with lots of spark and humor, Pikmin has these features in spades. An easy learning curve and bright, colorful graphics will enchant younger players and the young at heart. Parents will appreciate the game's relatively cartoonish and innocuous violence, strong pro-family message, and perhaps be encouraged at the level of problem solving it engenders in their children as they play. I highly recommend playing this game at least once if you own a GameCu.

Shigeru Miyamoto is the owner of a fertile imagination. Very few who know his name will argue that point, and fewer still will argue the quality of his work. As perhaps the greatest asset still under Nintendo's grasp, his fame is surprisingly low-key. Little more than the most hard-core gamers know of his existence, but everyone who's ever seen a joystick has a pretty extensive knowledge of his creations. Super Mario Brothers. Donkey Kong. The Legend of Zelda. Mario Kart. F-Zero. Starfox. Super Smash Brothers. It reads like a top ten list of Nintendo's greatest achievements, and it all stems back to one man. So, naturally, when this guy's motivated to flesh out a new idea it's a pretty newsworthy event.Such was the circumstance when Pikmin was revealed to the world ... MoreShigeru Miyamoto is the owner of a fertile imagination. Very few who know his name will argue that point, and fewer still will argue the quality of his work. As perhaps the greatest asset still under Nintendo's grasp, his fame is surprisingly low-key. Little more than the most hard-core gamers know of his existence, but everyone who's ever seen a joystick has a pretty extensive knowledge of his creations. Super Mario Brothers. Donkey Kong. The Legend of Zelda. Mario Kart. F-Zero. Starfox. Super Smash Brothers. It reads like a top ten list of Nintendo's greatest achievements, and it all stems back to one man. So, naturally, when this guy's motivated to flesh out a new idea it's a pretty newsworthy event.Such was the circumstance when Pikmin was revealed to the world near the launch of the GameCube in late 2001. It was promoted as the system's "must-have" launch title, a role in which any of the famed creator's previous titles would have soared. Unfortunately, Pikmin isn't a game I'd classify as a cornerstone in any sense of the word, which is what Nintendo desperately needed at that point in time. Every bit of the Miyamoto-trademarked addictive gameplay, uncensored originality and effortless simplicity is here in full force, but the game never took off because of the way it was marketed. As an understated, unheralded underground success released a year or two after the first-wave launch titles, this game would have taken the gaming world by storm. As the central focu.