Nobody Panic, But a "Pikmin" AR Game Is Coming From the Creators of "Pokémon Go"

“Pikmin” will *checks notes* encourage walking.

In 2016, Pokémon Go successfully took over the world for the entirety of July. The famous app dominated society in every way, from featuring in radio shows and TV news to filling up local parklands well beyond capacity.

In some cases, police were called in to control the large crowds of people swarming to public places in the hope of catching a Charmander.

Despite the massive crowds, the app worked wonders in getting everyone outside and active—even if they were still looking at screens—and the creators behind the game Niantic Inc. are looking to repeat Pokemon Go’s success with a new game.

Niatic have teamed up with Nintendo again, and this time they're turning the Pikmin game series into an augmented reality (AR) game app.

We're overjoyed to make new memories with our partners at @Nintendo and YOU! 🌱 Imagine exploring the world through the wonder of AR and alongside all of your pals - including your new #Pikmin friends! Learn more about our partnership here: https://t.co/TiQ10S8kMR pic.twitter.com/YUpp4P33NA

— Niantic, Inc. (@NianticLabs) March 23, 2021

Pikmin is a real-time strategy and puzzle game series created by Nintendo, requiring the player to grow their own squad of adorable, plant-like Pikmin and journey through a strange world to save your planet.

It’s colourful, fun, and won’t put you through any stress, so what’s not to like about it?

Owners of the Nintendo GameCube or the Wii will remember playing Pikmin 1&2 back in the 2000s, taking charge of Captain Olimar on a foreign planet home to the Pikmin.

The third game in the franchise was re-released last year in October for the Switch and became a commercial success, and a fourth game has been in development since 2016 which may explain Nintendo and Niantic’s desire to partner up and release a game this year.

we have now gotten two Pikmin spin-offs and one rerelease of 3 since Pikmin 4 was stated to be “very close to completion” in 2015 https://t.co/ICg4T1dT7o

— Successor to the Killer Ostritch Title (@_Luxin) March 23, 2021

According to Niantic, “The [Pikmin] app will include gameplay activities to encourage walking and make walking more delightful.”

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been needing to spice up my walking for years.

Details are scarce on the new app-based AR game—especially on how exactly the developers plan to make walking more delightful—but Niantic have promised more deets in the coming months about what the game will be like.

Until then, Niantic have already opened a pre-registration page so why not sign up here and get on board early?

Hopefully, this game has better long-term stickability than Pokemon Go. While Nintendo and Niantic have added excellent updates to the gameplay experience, it was far too late as the hysteria around game had worn off fairy quickly.

Fingers crossed this won’t be the case for Pikman.

The Pikmin AR mobile app game is scheduled to drop into app stores later this year.

Header Image: Niantic