Nintendo’s pint-sized creatures return in a Pokémon Go-like mobile game for iOS and Android devices.
Niantic, the company behind popular mobile games such asPokémon Go, Catan: World Explorers, and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, recently announced Pikmin Bloom, yet another location-based AR game based on a hit franchise.
Developed in collaboration with Nintendo, this free-to-play mobile game has you exploring the real world in search of seedlings you can use to expand your entourage of plant-like creatures. As you walk, your Pikmin will collect various fruit they find scattered along your path. You can then feed the nectar extracted from said fruit to your Pikmin in order to bloom flowers atop their heads. These pedals can be planted in the ground as you walk, resulting in a beautiful trail.
Pikmin can be viewed in a virtual space as well as the real-world using AR technology. While checking on your Pikmin squad, tap the “AR” icon located in the top left corner of the screen. The app will then ask you to scan your environment for flat space, at which point your army of adorable minions will appear in your real-world environment. Here you can corral them with your whistle, feed them nectar, or just watch as they go about their pint-sized business.
Once you’ve finished exploring, you can use the app to check your total number of steps and the various routes you took throughout the day. You also have the option to submit notes and upload photos of your day to your lifelog. Your Pikmin will periodically return with postcards from past trips you can then share with friends and family.
“For both me and everyone at Niantic, helping this app take shape has been a new experience and lots of fun,” said Pikmin creator Shigeru Miyamoto. “With Pikmin Bloom, you can discover new Pikmin simply by going somewhere new. So, be sure to bring your Pikmin with you whenever you travel a long way from home! Wherever you go, you can take pictures with your Pikmin and save your memories with them like you would in a journal. With that, my hope is that everyone will be able to create lasting memories together with Pikmin!”
Pikmin Bloom is available now 100% free of charge on iOS and Android devices.
Feature Image Credit: Niantic
