Pikmin is a real-time strategy game where the main character Captain Olimar crash lands on an alien planet filled with strange small creatures called Pikmin. You are able to control and use these creatures to knock down walls, build bridges and attack creatures, you grow Pikmin by taking flora to a device called an onion which then spawns more Pikmin for you to control.

Different coloured Pikmin have different abilities to solve puzzles by using the correct colours to complete specific tasks. Your main objective is to locate and bring back parts of your damaged ship to the base, be careful though Pikmin are fragile and can perish easily, and you need to ensure all Pikmin and yourself are back at the base before nightfall.

The game is presented as a nature program as you discover flora and fauna. This combines with the folktale narrative to create a compelling and well-written story for all ages. There’s considerable tension to getting both ship parts and Pikmin back to the ship, as any left behind is eaten and you need to get all the ship parts before the end of the 30^th day whereupon you fail and start again.

Originally released on the Nintendo Gamecube in 2001 it was re-released with new play controls on the Nintendo Wii in 2009. The Wii version of Pikmin offers enhanced controls, some adjusted difficulty with some Pikmin dying less easily. You can also cycle through the different types of Pikmin more easily.

• Pikmin (2001) on Gamecube and Wii
• Pikmin 2 (2004) on Gamecube and Wii
• Pikmin 3 (2013) on Wii U
• Hey! Pikmin (2017) on Nintendo 3DS in 2017
• Pikmin 3 Deluxe (2020) on Nintendo Switch