Games That Scratch That Pikmin Itch

Pikmin was originally released for GameCube back in 2001, and it immediately took the world by storm. It gave Nintendo fans an excellent real-time strategy and puzzle game that spawned an incredibly successful franchise. Fans of the series didn’t have to wait long at all for a sequel to Pikmin, and the second game was also released for GameCube in 2004.

The next mainline entries in the series took quite a long time to materialize, but both Pikmin 3 and Pikmin 4 delivered quality. The latter was one of the best Switch games of 2024, and it expanded the franchise’s core ideas in a refreshing way. At this point, the next Pikmin game has to be a long way off, so fans will need to look elsewhere to scratch that itch.

Updated on December 31, 2023 by Mark Sammut: The specifications have been added for every game like Pikmin mentioned in this discussion.

13 The Wild At Heart

Control Spritelings To Solve Puzzles & Engage In Combat

Pikmin isn’t the only game that makes use of smaller creatures to engage in combat, and The Wild At Heart took that feature and ran with it. It is an indie game released in 2021 that has interesting visuals and is generally straightforward, even if the combat can be tricky at times.

The Wild At Heart is an open-world exploration game that players can enjoy in a non-linear fashion, where they use spritelings and their abilities to defeat enemies. Much like Pikmin, players can use “spritelings” to solve puzzles and gather resources in it.

12 Stonefly

Relaxing Game With A Focus On Exploration

Stonefly is an indie game that allows players to enjoy a relaxing environment with some challenges sprinkled throughout, just like Pikmin. Although there are no small creatures to use in Stonefly, the rest of the game has a similar feel to the Pikmin series.

The player travels the world and battles with bugs to gather resources and craft new parts. It’s easy to forget the dangers that those bugs present when piloting the ship through the world of Stonefly, as players can often get lost in the visuals.

11 Masters Of Anima

Control Guardians

Like Pikmin, Masters of Anima is a real-time strategy game that focuses on the player controlling other creatures. In this game, players take control of a magician called Otto who can summon different types of “guardians” that each serve a different purpose.

There are five types of “guardians” that players can use, directing them to assist in both puzzle-solving and combat throughout the game. Masters of Anima was generally well-received, and fans of Pikmin will almost certainly enjoy exploring the world and defeating the enemy golems.

10 Unravel Two

Creative Puzzle Platformer

Unravel Two will likely remind players of Pikmin due to its unusual style and the requirement to think outside the box to solve puzzles. Players take control of a red and a blue Yarny, making them work together to travel the island-setting and complete the cleverly-designed levels.

Unravel Two is a beautiful game without violence at any point, making it the ideal choice for younger fans eagerly awaiting the release of Pikmin 4. With a single-player mode and the option for couch co-op, Unravel Two is a great game for kids and adults to play together.

9 Overlord: Fellowship Of Evil

Rule With A Gaggle Of Minions

The Overlord series functions much the same as Pikmin, but the setting could not be more different. The original game was released in 2007, and Overlord 2 quickly followed in 2009. Both of these games saw players take control of the titular overlord, directing hordes of goblins to do his bidding.

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The series has been pretty much left alone since 2009 but a spin-off, Overlord: Fellowship Of Evil, was released in 2015. The gameplay changed quite a lot and players could now choose one of four characters to control, but the main function of controlling goblin hordes remains the same.

8 Spore

Evolution Sim With Management Elements

In Spore, players guide a species through its evolutionary journey, shaping its development in various stages, including the tribal and civilization phases. The striking resemblance to Pikmin emerges through the group management aspect, akin to Olimar’s role in leading and directing the adorable Pikmin creatures to solve puzzles and explore an alien world.

The unexpected connection deepens during the tribal stage in Spore. During this phase, players observe their species from a third-world perspective, similar to the viewpoint experienced while leading Pikmin in their adventures. This unique feature enhances the exploration and strategy aspects of the game, sparking curiosity and leaving players intrigued by the connections between these titles.

7 Little King’s Story

Lead A Nation

In Little King’s Story, gamers take on the role of a young king, tasked with managing and commanding a diverse group of loyal subjects. Similarly, in Pikmin, players control Captain Olimar, guiding Pikmin to solve puzzles and explore an alien world. Both games emphasize the importance of group management and strategic thinking. In Little King’s Story, players must lead their subjects wisely, making decisions that affect the kingdom’s growth and prosperity.

In Pikmin, players must utilize different Pikmin types, each with unique abilities, to overcome obstacles and defeat enemies. The sense of exploration and adventure is another shared aspect between the two games. Little King’s Story takes players on a whimsical journey to conquer neighboring lands, while Pikmin explores the mysteries of an alien planet. Both titles offer a blend of exploration and combat, enticing players to immerse themselves in the worlds they present.

6 Lemmings

Puzzle Games With Focus On Guiding Creatures

When seeking games that remind players of Pikmin’s captivating gameplay, Lemmings stands out as a classic gem. Originally released in 1991 but receiving sequels and remakes, Lemmings challenges players to guide endearing, green-haired creatures known as “Lemmings” through perilous landscapes, much like Captain Olimar’s adventures with Pikmin. In Lemmings, players must strategize to navigate their cute, yet somewhat oblivious, “Lemmings” safely through treacherous environments. Just like Pikmin, successful progress relies on clever problem-solving and resource management.

Only a few “Lemmings” have specific abilities, such as digging, building, or floating, that players must utilize ingeniously to overcome obstacles. Through this gameplay, Lemmings offers an experience akin to Pikmin’s strategic and explorative elements. The sense of responsibility for a group of creatures, coupled with the joy of witnessing them conquer challenges, creates an endearing connection for players. For those yearning to relish the spirit of Pikmin’s adventures while indulging in mind-bending puzzles, Lemmings provides a delightful and nostalgic journey that satisfies the craving for that charming, strategic gameplay.

5 The Maw

A Unique & Growing Bond

In The Maw, players take on the role of a lovable alien creature named Frank, who befriends an adorable, purple creature known as The Maw. Similar to Captain Olimar and his Pikmin companions, Frank and The Maw form an endearing duo, embarking on a journey through a vibrant and mysterious world. The Maw, with its insatiable appetite, can devour almost anything in its path, growing in size as it feasts on various creatures and objects.

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As players guide Frank and The Maw through a series of captivating levels, they must utilize teamwork and ingenuity to solve puzzles and overcome challenges. Much like Pikmin‘s strategic gameplay, The Maw requires players to strategize and use the unique abilities of The Maw to progress. The adorable duo must work together to outsmart foes, navigate treacherous landscapes, and forge a bond that “grows” stronger with every adventure.

4 de Blob 2

Blob & The Graydians

In de Blob 2, players control the lovable Blob, who possesses the ability to absorb and mix colors to restore life and vibrancy to a monochromatic world. Similar to Pikmin, Blob is accompanied by a group of friends called the Graydians, who assist in achieving various tasks and objectives. The game involves strategic thinking and puzzle-solving as players lead Blob and the Graydians through diverse levels, overcoming obstacles, and thwarting enemies.

Just like in Pikmin, Blob’s friends play a crucial role in progressing through the game, and players must strategically manage and deploy them to maximize their effectiveness in different situations. Both de Blob 2 and Pikmin offer engaging gameplay that revolves around group management, strategic thinking, and using the unique abilities of the protagonist’s companions to achieve objectives.

3 Starlink: Battle For Atlas

Manage A Team Of Pilots

At the core of Starlink: Battle for Atlas lies a striking resemblance to Pikmin’s group management mechanics. Players can assemble a diverse team of pilots, each piloting their unique starship equipped with customizable weaponry. The four types of pilots available can be deployed strategically to tackle challenges and combat enemies throughout the galaxy. Much like Pikmin’s exploration-driven gameplay, Starlink: Battle for Atlas encourages players to venture into uncharted territories, discover new planets, and engage in thrilling space battles.

Players can employ the individual strengths of their pilot allies to overcome obstacles, solve puzzles, and uncover secrets. As players forge alliances and build relationships with alien civilizations, they’ll witness a galaxy teeming with life and vibrant ecosystems, mirroring the sense of discovery found in Pikmin’s charming environments. The game’s seamless blend of exploration, combat, and team dynamics allows players to immerse themselves in a captivating universe that unfolds like a grand cosmic adventure.

2 Tinykin

Explore A House With Tinykin

Captain Olimar and the other main characters of the Pikmin franchise are among the best video game beastmasters, but Milodane from Tinykin gives them a run for their money. It uses a similar color-coordination method as Pikmin, with five different types of “tinykin” revealed throughout the game. Each one serves a different purpose, just like Pikmin.

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There are still a few things that could be fixed in Tinykin, but the concept is pretty solid, and it’s the ideal way to scratch that Pikmin itch. Although Splashteam’s game takes pretty obvious inspiration from Nintendo’s franchise, Tinykin does more than enough to identify a unique identity that sets it apart from its inspiration.

1 Katamari Damacy Reroll

Addictive Gameplay & Colorful Environments

A remaster of the classic Katamari Damacy, Katamari Damacy Reroll is a quirky puzzle-action game that takes players on an eccentric journey as they control the tiny Prince, who in turn controls a sticky ball called a Katamari, rolling up various objects to create stars and restore the cosmos. In Katamari Damacy Reroll, players navigate through colorful and imaginative environments, rolling up objects of all shapes and sizes. Similar to Pikmin’s gathering and collection mechanics, players must strategically select the right objects to roll up, gradually growing their katamari in size.

As the katamari grows, the game imparts a sense of nurturing, akin to Pikmin’s progression where players see their group flourish. The more objects players collect, the larger and more powerful their katamari becomes, allowing them to gather even bigger items. The game’s whimsical art style, cheerful music, and quirky humor mirror the charm found in Pikmin’s world. Katamari Damacy Reroll offers a lighthearted and joyful experience that engages players in a delightful quest to restore the stars and save the universe.

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