Wii U Gamepad¶
| **Command** | **Action** |
|---|---|
| Left Stick | Move your Captain/Pointer |
| R + Left Stick | Move Pointer Only |
| Left Stick Click | Centre pointer on captain |
| Right Stick | Camera Control |
| **Command** | **Action** |
|---|---|
| ZL | Tap to centre camera. Hold for Enemy/Object Lock-on |
| ZR | Whistle |
| A | Throw currently selected Pikmin/Captain. Pluck Sprouts (plucking always takes precedence) |
| B | Dismiss/Charge when locked on |
| Y | Switch Captain |
| L | Cycle throw selection |
| D-Pad Up | Ultra-Spicy Spray |
| D-Pad Left/Right | Dodge (when Dodge Whistle has been found) |
| D-Pad Down | Use item (Bingo Battle Only). Activate map (When playing off-TV only) |
| Pad Shake | Same as B |
Pro Controller¶
Same as Wii U Gamepad controls, but without the “Pad Shake” command.
Wii Remote & Nunchuck¶
| **Command** | **Action** |
|---|---|
| Analogue Stick | Move your Captain |
| Wii Remote | Aim Pointer |
| Z | Tap to centre camera. Hold for Enemy/Object Lock-on |
| B | Whistle |
| A | Throw currently selected Pikmin/Captain. Pluck Sprouts (plucking always takes precedence) |
| Nunchuck Shake | Dismiss/Charge when locked on |
| Minus | Switch Captain |
| C | Cycle throw selection |
| D-Pad Up | Ultra-Spicy Spray |
| D-Pad Left/Right | Dodge (when Dodge Whistle has been found) |
| D-Pad Down | Use item (Bingo Battle Only). Activate map (When playing off-TV only) |
Which Controls Should I Use?¶
First thing’s first, Pikmin 3 is completely playable with any of the above control setups.
I have completed the game once using exclusively the Wii U Gamepad, and once using a Wii mote and Nunchuck set up, and both times I felt the controls were fine.
Also note, the ‘Go Here’ function - which is accessed by pointing to a specific part of the map and tapping ‘go here’ - requires the Gamepad screen.
Therefore, even if you’re playing with the Wii Remote or Pro Controller setups you will need to have your Gamepad in arms reach for this purpose.
With these two points in mind I can comfortably say that, in my mind, the Wii Remote and Nunchuck are the far superior control method for one simple reason – independent, and immediate, aiming.
The Gamepad and Classic Controller methods tie pointer and captain movement to the same stick, and this diminishes your abilities somewhat.
With the remote it’s possible to run in a straight line past an object and throw Pikmin at it the entire time thanks to the simple fact that your pointer is no longer tied directly to your movement.
Again, the Gamepad and Classic Controller are fine, the remote is just better.
While it is absolutely possible to play well with any of these options I personally can’t see a Gamepad player beating a Remote player in terms of high scores. The extra dexterity and speed offered by the remote is simply too prominent to ignore.
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