The Pikmin 1+2 Switch remasters are understated gems

thesixthaxis.com:

I’ve always loved the Pikmin series from a distance, adoring the concept, but never actually playing them – I just wasn’t gaming on GameCube or Wii U at the times of their original release release, and never managed to get around to digging back through Nintendo’s often pricey archives. But with Pikmin 4 just a month away from release, I’m finally getting my chance with this remastered release of the original GameCube duo.

Well, to be more accurate, this is a remastered release of the Nintendo Wii ‘New Play Controls’ versions. Back in the early days of the Wii, Nintendo saw an opportunity to give some GameCube games a second lease of life, and to incorporate the new dynamics of motion and pointer controls. Along the way, these ‘New Play Controls’ were also enhanced with widescreen support and some minor fixes and tweaks could be implemented.

It’s these Wii ports that have now been given an HD remaster for the Nintendo Switch. The game runs at 1080p docked and 720p handheld, and while it’s slightly disappointing they only run at 30fps on Switch, that’s not something that really affects the game when the performance is so perfectly steady.

That’s pretty much as far as these remasters go, though – this looks to be all the original 3D modelling and texture work, as opposed to a more comprehensive remake in the vein of Metroid Prime Remastered earlier this year.

By default, you’re using button controls that will feel similar to the GameCube original, but there is also the option to turn on motion controls that lets you target and move independently. That’s particularly handy when launching masses of Pikmin at a towering boss enemy and need to target a weak spot, though you’re also able to send a swarm of them at enemies. Pikmin