What's new and different in Pikmin 3 Deluxe
Pikmin 3 hit the Wii U in 2013 and was followed by a few sets of DLC. All of this content will be included for Pikmin 3 Deluxe with some big changes. The first thing you'll probably notice are the new difficulty options. Players can choose Normal or Hard and will unlock Ultra-Spicy Spray if they play the demo or complete the campaign on Hard. Normal is almost the same as the Wii U version while Hard speeds up the day / night timer and enemies will have double their usual health. The super-spicy spray mode limits you to just 60 Pikmin instead of the normal 100.
The original game heavily showcased the Wii U gamepad for its functionality, and now that it's gone, there will be a lot of changes to the controls and how certain features work. For example, the map was always displayed on the gamepad, giving you a top-to-bottom view of the playing field and some control over what was happening there right on that screen. All of these features are now on the main screen whether they are docked or not. The map is now handy, causing it to appear on the TV and pause the action in-game. There is also a small mini-map in the lower right corner at all times.
In addition, without the Wii Remotes available as on Wii U, the Switch this time allows you to use several controller options. Gyro controls are available for Joy-Con or Pro controllers, and they can be changed or disabled in the menus. The controls have also been changed globally, such as extending the range of Pikmin calls by gathering more at a time, the lock feature has been revised to work better, the load attack is simplified and makes it easier to select and launching your Pikmin. And there are probably smaller changes in that regard, so watch for updates the more time we have with the final game.
There are a lot of bigger changes though, so let's break down some of them. The most important for most players will be the extensive playing options. Co-op has been added throughout the main campaign, allowing you to team up locally with another player to control all of your Pikmin. Likewise, there's a new side story series starring Captain Olimar and Louie. Olimar Duty will bring back fan favorite characters for certain timed missions in campaign levels.
One of the biggest changes coming to Pikmin 3 Deluxe is a new After Hours mode option that you can access after completing a mission. This breaks the usual clock of the Pikmin series, allowing you to play more of the mission you just completed. After hours progress is not saved as usual, so it is not extended game hours, but if you complete a mission it can help you unlock later stages.
Along with these larger content additions and changes, there are smaller inclusions such as the return of Piklopedia. This Pikmin universe knowledge repository breaks down the enemies and items you discover during the campaign, with fun ways to interact with them as well. A few new music tracks have also already been identified in the Deluxe version of the game.
And that's what's new and different about Pikmin 3 Deluxe on Switch. More will likely be discovered once the game is in the hands of millions of players, so check back for any updates.
