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So why did Pikmin bomb?

Pikmin is definitely an awesome unique game, and the sequel pretty much improved every aspect of it, heck, if someone didn't like the 1st one, I'd recommend they at least rent the 2nd. But why did it do so badly? To quirky? No advertising? Pikmin put a different spin on RTS games (could it even be considered an RTS?) and it's REALLY to bad we probably won't ever see a Pikmin 3:(
 
nobody cared what the gamecube had to offer in terms of games.

well let me be more clearer.

nobody in the mainstream cared what the gamecube had to offer in terms of games.
 
Personaly I think it's becasue it was new. It seems these days "new" games rarely seem to get the proper recognition in the sales department, becasue the majority of the market would rather have sequels of tried and tested franchises.
 
Despite the fact that people bitch about Nintendo not creating new franchises, the truth is, no one really wants them.

More Mario and Zelda plz.
 
Nintendo's only new IP this generation. I had a lot of fun with both titles and the second one is easily one of my favorite gamecube games. We probably will see a third incarnation but it didn't sell well most likely because it was something odd and different. These type of games are either hit or miss when it comes to sales.
 
Wait, my bad. I thought he meant Pikmin 2. Pikmin one sold over a million. So it was relatively good.
 
Wafflecopter said:
I love the "No generic rage" excuses. Really? Last time I checked....WoW didn't have generic rage in it's story......

Chill Waffle. The "generic rage" references started with POP: Warrior Within and have been a running joke ever since.
 
We're kidding. The game didn't really bomb either. It underperformed here at least, but it still did okay overall. And it's one of the few Gamecube games that did really well in Japan last year, so it's safe to say we'll see more of the little guys.
 
Jeez half of you guys are thinking of Pikmin 2. (which has still sold about 300k here in NA)

Pikmin 1 has sold like 700-800k just in North America alone.
 
GaimeGuy said:
Jeez half of you guys are thinking of Pikmin 2. (which has still sold about 300k here in NA)

Pikmin 1 has sold like 700-800k just in North America alone.
That's true. That's pretty good, consdering it's a new IP. This only enforces that there is a good chance for a Pikmin 3.
 
was there even a Pikmin 1/2 commercial in the US? i don't even remember. hell, i don't think there was even a print magazine ad for it (i dont have it scanned if there is one)
 
Wario64 said:
was there even a Pikmin 1/2 commercial in the US? i don't even remember. hell, i don't think there was even a print magazine ad for it (i dont have it scanned if there is one)
I can't remember if there was a Pikmin 1 commercial but I remember the Pikmin 2 commercials perfectly. Damn brilliant commercials. It had a bunch of "little people" dressed as Pikmin running around getting a hotdog for a kid. It was done well. :lol
 
Pikmin 1 did exceptionally well, but it was buoyed by being a (near) launch title.

Pikmin 2 did not fare as well, but it certainly didn't tank.

For the record, I bought 1, rented 2 but didn't like it as much as the first one so I never bothered to finish it.
 
Synth_floyd said:
It's like saying "Why do the 'Rape Rape Highschool' games do well in Japan and not the US?" It's just cultural differences.

True.

Edit: Just like to mention, Rape Rape Highschool VI didn't have as much character development.
 
So why did Pikmin bomb?
Olimarnobombno.GIF

Credit to http://www.drdowasure.com/msp/miscpics.html

Actually I feel I must take partial blame.
piktatav.jpg
 
A couple of reasons:

1) It was on GAMECUBE NINTENDO, and it wasn't an already established franchise.
2) It's a watered down RTS with no real appeal to people who have played a decent game in that genre.
3) It was on GAMECUBE NINTENDO.
 
Raoul Duke said:
A couple of reasons:

1) It was on GAMECUBE NINTENDO, and it wasn't an already established franchise.
2) It's a watered down RTS with no real appeal to people who have played a decent game in that genre.
3) It was on GAMECUBE NINTENDO.


Did you used to post at Gamespot?
 
Because gamers are stupid. And Pikmin 2 is the best game Nintendo has put on a console this generation. The second one deserved the first one's sales.
 
Speevy said:
Because gamers are stupid. And Pikmin 2 is the best game Nintendo has put on a console this generation. The second one deserved the first one's sales.

.....Maybe they prefer RTS's with more depth on the PC.
 
Wafflecopter said:
.....Maybe they prefer RTS's with more depth on the PC.


Although Pikmin could technically be considered an RTS, I doubt the average gamer would group it with Blizzard's titles.

Secondly, it's fantastic. If it is an RTS, it's the best one on a console period. It does not overhwelm gamers. Simple, intuitive, fun, graphics, gameplay, content, multiplayer. Awesome.
 
There's no objective measure by which Pikmin is better than Pikmin 2.

The only semi-compelling argument I've heard is "I don't like the underground dungeons/randomness."

And to that I say there's still at least TWICE as much above ground content in Pikmin 2.

It looks better. Plays better. There's more of it. Better creatures too. Oh so many creatures.
 
Personally I never looked twice at Pikmin for the same reason I never thought about getting Advance Wars. Despite good reviews and big fan followings, I just find these types of games boring and tedious past a certain point.

It's like RPGs, I love the art and the stories but I hate equipping/leveling up/blah blah blah - if I have to think that hard I may as well be working or doing something constructive.
 
I thought the pikmin games were a pure example of exactly what nintendo needs to do more of, introduce fresh gameplay with new characters. I think people are so used to x game sequel #36 they arent willing to try anything new anymore, what a shame.
 
In Pikmin 1, your ship crashes on an alien planet with an environment that is hostile to you. You can sustain your own life for 30 days, and during that time you must retrieve the parts of your ship so you can escape this inhospitable world. That, sir, is what you call a reason to play.

Pikmin 2... um... the owner of your company needs 10000 credits so he can stay in business. He sends you back to the alien world so you can collect junk. Life support is not an issue, take all the time you need. I lost interest after 6 or 7 "days."

Both games are inherently collectathons with some puzzle solving. But the first game gives you a compelling reason to play, a reason to care. Your life is on the line. The second game? Collect merely for the sake of collecting. Yippee.

That Pikmin comparison is just one example of why gameplay is entirely overrated if there is not a reason for the game to exist in the first place. Give me a reason to play. And, for the love of all that is good, don't make it the very same reason I had the last time around (a la Mario, Zelda, etc.).
 
I'm afraid you lost me. The story of Pikmin is secondary to the gameplay. The game needs a story, so Nintendo slapped one on there. And if you consider it a collectathon, then neither game should be compelling to you.
 
Holy fuck. Did you play the Pikmin games for their STORIES?

What the hell is wrong with you.
 
I think what he's trying to say is that sense of pressure and urgency was lost in the second one. In the first one, you only had 30 in-game days and this pushed you to play better and manage your Pikmin efficiently. The second one was much more lenient on this. I don't really think he played them for the story.
 
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