Nintendo announced several new 3DS titles during today’s Nintendo Direct stream, but the biggest surprise was saved for last. The publisher has revealed the first handheld entry in the Pikmin series, which is currently scheduled to launch exclusively on the 3DS in 2017.
Unlike the previous 3D home console entries, this currently untitled game will be a sidescroller, and apparently return to having Captain Olimar as the playable lead after shifting to a new cast in Pikmin 3. The titular red, blue, and yellow creatures will again be commanded by players to explore, collect treasure, and fight predators, with the touch screen being used to precisely tell them where to go.
The Pikmin’s unique color-specific perks from previous titles will also carry over. Perhaps due to the new gameplay and control approaches, the game is also being developed primarily with action in mind, rather than slower-paced exploration.
That’s all the information we’ve got to go on for now, but feel free to drop a comment below letting us know what you think of the new Pikmin announcement.