Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5182 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Nintendo
• Model: 45496961220
• Released on: 2004-10-08
• Rating: To Be Announced
• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Platform: GameCube
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .75" h x 5.50" w x 7.75" l, .50 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
In Pikmin 2, the feature-packed sequel to Nintendo's original Pikmin adventure (famously inspired by Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto's back garden), players can once more enjoy the earthly delights of germination. Captain Olimar, the astronaut hero of the original game, makes a welcome return and sets about clearing some bad debts with the aid of the titular Pikmin, which grow from the soil when planted. In microcosm, this is a strategy game, but there's more to it than that: although there are strategic and puzzle elements, the overriding theme is one of action, which makes for an equally exciting and challenging game. Two-player modes are new additions in Pikmin 2, and these arrive in both cooperative and versus varieties. The use of a split-screen here works particularly well. Throw in a few extra flavours of Pikmin (white and purple complement the original's spectrum of characters) and Olimar's new, playable sidekick Louie, and you have a complete and thorough sequel to a modern classic. --Jonti Davies

Manufacturer's Description
Captain Olimar returns in Pikmin 2 to marshal new Pikmin in a wild, open-ended adventure--and this time he brought help. The company he works for is going bankrupt, so to save it, Olimar must salvage the treasure buried all over the planet. His company's debt is a whopping 10,000 pokos--but if Olimar and his assistant can delegate their work well, they should be able to erase that debt in no time. Of course, they'll need the help of the Pikmin to do that. Alternately control Olimar and his assistant as you command your Pikmin to defeat enemies, propagate more Pikmin, collect precious doodads and solve puzzles. With no time limit, new colours of Pikmin and two-player cooperative play, Pikmin 2 improves on the original in every way.

Customer Reviews

One of the greatest games of 2004
Pikmin 2 is one of the few sequels that actually improves upon every area you would want it to. The original Pikmin was by no means a bad game but there were 2 aspects of the game that bugged me slightly. (1) The time limit: you had a maximum of 30 days to recover all of Captain Olimar's ship parts. (2) The fact that in most (Pikmin) days you couldn't get that much work done. Pikmin 2 improves on both areas.

Pikmin 2 sees you returning to the Pikmin planet to search for 'treasure' to help repay your shipping company's debt. This time you are not alone. Captain Olimar is helped by a fellow employee called Louie. After one of the finest introductory videos sequences ever (honest), Olimar and Louie begin their treasure hunt. For those unfamiliar with the 1st game, the main game flow is as follows: to help you on your treasure hunt, you must grow and manage a group of tiny plant/animal style creatures called 'Pikmin'. Pikmin can be used to carry treasure back to your ship, attack enemies, build bridges, knock down walls etc. In Pikmin 2, there are 5 different colours of Pikmin (2 more than the previous game) and you'll need to work out which colours to use when to advance in the game.

The graphics in Pikmin 2 are absolutely astounding. Every level has a unique charm- and an unbelievable level of detail. For example, in the forest-style level, 'Awakening Wood', leaves gently fall from the trees and cover the ground, the water glistens in the sunlight, the plants sway in the wind and animals go about their everyday business. As all this happens, the gentle morning light changes into a bright afternoon and then to a beautiful sunset. In fact, the world in Pikmin 2, even though you are pint-sized in comparison- is totally believable. One fantastic new addition to the game that adds to this feeling is the fact that its creators have used some real-world objects as treasure. For example, your 1st item of treasure is a large 'Duracell' battery.

Okay, graphics aren't important in a game. The main point is the gameplay. Pikmin 2 is pure Nintendo magic. Growing Pikmin and hunting for treasure may not sound like fun but Pikmin sucks you in like all classic Nintendo games (Mario, Zelda, Metroid etc.). Now that there is no time limit, you really get a chance to explore every inch of the landscape. Some days, you'll maybe just want to grow some Pikmin. In other days, you may be striving to get as much treasure as you can. The lack of time limit is a godsend- and now you control 2 characters, you can delegate work to manage your days more efficiently.

Underground regions are another fantastic new addition to the game. They are split up into a number of floors which (usually)get harder as you progress. At any floor, you can choose to pull out (and leave your treasure) or delve even deeper. Its down in these regions where the real treasure is. There are no time limits when you are underground- which is useful since most of these areas require much more thinking.

Pikmin 2 is an astonishing game. The screenshots just don't do it justice. Pikmin 2 is a joy to play. The fact you are actually moving a central character with the analogue stick and dishing out orders separates it from most strategy games. This game is suitable for everyone. Its cutesy enough to appeal to kids but has a good difficulty level which is likely to challenge the most able gamers. Pikmin is a marvellous addition to the Nintendo franchise. Here's hoping for more Pikmin games in the future.

The Godfather 2 of video games?
I've been waiting for this game for ages; Pikmin was one of the best games out on the Gamecube. It was a beautifully simple concept, executed with the usual panache that one expects from Nintendo.

Pikmin 2 is an admirably accomplished sequel. Changes have been made, but the fundamentals have been left untouched. The game still feels 'right'; the character design is effortlessly charming, and the game environments are so well laid out that Pikmin 2 is just a joy to play.

In the original you were limited to 30 'days' to reconstruct Olimar's spaceship. And that was it. The problem here was that this didn't allow you much scope in terms of exploration, and it flew in the face of the game's mellow atmosphere.

I am pleased to say that this limited day structure has been dropped. There is no cut off point, and this really allows you to savour the game. This is more of a radical change than you might expect. There is a totally different aspect to Pikmin 2, and this is a change for the better.

Also, the concept of 'caves' have been introduced; these are subterranean levels that are not affected by the passing of time. Again, you can spend as much time as you like in these sections of the game.

If these fundamental improvments weren't enough, there is also the addition of two new sorts of Pikmin, purple (strong) and white (impervious to poison etc.)

Oh, and there's the two player option too.

Nintendo need to make more games like Pikmin 2... simple and addictive, without being disposable or superficial. There's plenty here for everyone.

Highly recommended.

Wow
This game is brilliant. The new additions of the white and purple pikmin are very welcome and add a bit more stratergy. Do you kill enemies quicker by using the super strong purple pikmin or do you poison your foes with the whites. also the addition of another person is fantastic you can now send two squads of pikmin to do different tasks (who said we men can't multi task) for example you can have one squad of pikmin taking down a wall and the other collecting treasure. This sequel has all the good points of the first, adding extra and getting rid of the time limit (yay) well woth £29.99