Pikmin 3 will not release for 3DS or DS due to difficulties adapting the game's seamless control interface to a handheld device, according to Shigeru Miyamoto. Speaking to 4Gamer, Miyamoto has explained why the popular strategy series has never been adapted for the Nintendo DS or 3DS.
"The truth is we were doing prototype tests of Pikmin for the DS and 3DS but it turned into unit management with only the touch pen and no matter what it just didn't seem like Pikmin," Miyamoto said.
"We concluded that Pikmin is a game that revolves around action based on its controls and the strategy sits on top of that. Although there are elements that are built on the strategy, there are other overall things that have to be well considered. This complete experience is an important element of Pikmin."
Miyamoto said that the goal for the original GameCube Pikmin was to create the "easiest to control 3D game around," describing it as a "carefree, easy action game."
"This game may seem difficult on first glance but once you try the controls, it's easy. Even if you find using the pointer difficult, there is a control method using the GamePad similar to the previous GameCube titles that we'd like people to ultilise."
Pikmin 3 releases this week for the Wii U. It has so far been lavished with critical praise, with CVG's Andy Robinson calling it "Nintendo's best HD game to date".