If you recently checked out or picked up Pikmin 4 or wondered, “What is Pikmin, and how are there 4 of them? Then there is good news: Nintendo has released the original two Pikmin games initially released for the Gamecube so that you can play them on your Switch. The oddly adorable little creatures have been around for quite some time now, and I am here to tell you if you should play the OG plant-based action strategy games.

What is Pikmin?

Pikmin was originally released in 2001 for the Nintendo Gamecube. One of Shigeru Miyamoto’s creations, you play as the pilot of a ship, Captain Olimar, who crash lands on an alien planet. After realizing his ship is badly damaged, you have to collect the ship’s missing 30 parts in 30 days before your life support gives out. Olimar then meets a mysterious creature that follows him and seems to listen to his commands. He names this little animal plant thing a Pikmin after his favorite brand of carrots. You soon have dozens of the little walking vegetation following you, and they are very helpful and able-bodied workers, especially when it comes to collecting your much-needed ship parts. Pikmin, in a nutshell, is a real-time strategy game where you command legions of small plant-like creatures to help you survive on a hostile planet and recover your ship parts to return home. It’s very cute and colorful but also has real consequences.

Pikmin 2

Following the success of the first game, Pikmin 2 hit the GC in 2004. The sequel picks up right after the first when Olimar returns to his home planet to be greeted by his son and boss. His boss, after welcoming him home, immediately tells him he needs to go back into space as the company has accrued a massive debt in his absence, and it is up to Olimar and his son Louis to collect treasure to save the company.

As opposed to the first game, where you had to find ship parts in a limited time frame to survive, you now are collecting various treasures to make money with no time restrictions.

Personally, I prefer this version of the game as it lends itself to a more relaxed game experience and adds new Pikmin and the ability to switch between pilots, much like the newer games.

What you get in the Switch Versions

Essentially, the physical package or digital downloads for the Switch are the Wii port versions of the games. These ports were released on the Wii with added motion controls and HD visual enhancements. The Switch versions are the Wii games rereleased for the Switch. Which is a good thing and good for video game preservation. If you found yourself only now playing Pikmin 3 or Pikmin 4 and wanted to play the originals, your only options would be to find the original GameCube or Wii versions and play on the respective console. Most of us would rather not go out of our way or spend money on these classic games and consoles, as they are getting quite expensive if you do not already own them.

Summary

So if you are a Pikmin superfan, played three and or four, and want to get the full story, or just want to support old games coming to modern consoles. Pikmin 1 +2 is a great option. You can buy either digitally individually for $29.99 or save ten bucks and buy the pair for $49.99.

Are you a fan of these super cute and chill RTS games? Have you been enjoying Pikmin 4?