After years and years of Pikmin fans receiving the short end of the stick, the series has recently entered a bit of a renaissance. Not only was Pikmin 3 Deluxe the series' biggest success yet, but fans now have a brand new spin-off to look forward to; Niantic, the immensely successful creator of Pokemon GO, is bringing the underrated little series into the augmented reality sphere.

This app, planned to release later in 2021, is the start of a brand new collaboration between Nintendo and Niantic. Pokemon GO already uses a Nintendo IP, but this partnership seems to be focusing on in-house Nintendo-developed properties, starting with Pikmin, but seemingly with more to come.

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Beginning with one of Nintendo's smaller series is an unexpected, but fitting way to begin a collaboration. The Pikmin series focuses on commanding and caring for a legion of adorable plant-like creatures, using them to find objects and battle enemies throughout an intricate world. It's easy for one to imagine how this could work in a Pokemon GO-esque experience, with the little creatures being being found and manipulated by the player to complete certain tasks.

While no exact details were given yet about how this will translate into an augmented reality setting, Nintendo describes the project as a way to create a more "fun" walking experience. Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Pikmin, further explains that the app will simulate the creatures secretly living in the real world.  Those that want to be in on the action as soon as possible can pre-register now, with more news promised for later in 2021.

This is the first title from Niantic's new Tokyo Studio that was established in 2018, and it likely won't be the last. The Pikmin project is specifically described as the "first title" that Niantic and Nintendo are developing together, possibly signifying that more of Nintendo's iconic series will get the AR treatment. An app inspired by the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild could have potential, with Koroks or other Zelda-themed collectibles being prime material for an AR experience.

This news is exciting for a plethora of reasons. Pikmin fans now have something brand new to complement Pikmin 3 Deluxe, tiding players over until a possible Pikmin 4. Pokemon GO fans can now experience a new Nintendo IP in AR form, giving even more reason to go outside and exercise while playing with lovable creatures. Lastly, Nintendo fans can look forward to a future of even more Niantic collaborations, possibly bringing other beloved series besides Pikmin into the "real" world.

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Source: Nintendo